RRS Discovery, Dundee

The RRS Discovery is one of Scotland's most remarkable maritime treasures. This iconic research vessel, built in Dundee in 1901, carried Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic Expedition from 1901 to 1904. The ship was specifically designed to withstand the extreme conditions of polar ice, with reinforced hull construction and innovative features that made it revolutionary for its time. Today, preserved as a museum ship moored on the Tay, the Discovery invites visitors to step aboard and experience life as it was for the expedition crew.

Visitors can explore multiple decks, examining the cramped quarters where sailors and scientists lived during their historic journey, the galley kitchen, the captain's quarters, and the engine rooms that powered this remarkable vessel. Interactive exhibits and displays detail the expedition's achievements, challenges and legacy. The museum presents artefacts, maps, journals and photographs that bring the story of polar exploration vividly to life. The ship's connection to Dundee is profound, as it was built here by the Gourlay Brothers shipyard and remains the only surviving Antarctic expedition ship. Standing on the deck with views across the Tay estuary offers a poignant perspective on the ship's place in both maritime and polar exploration history. The museum attracts visitors from around the world keen to connect with this chapter of British exploration and Scottish engineering heritage.