RRS Discovery

RRS Discovery is a royal research ship in Dundee City, Scotland, built with wooden planking and three tall masts designed for polar waters. The vessel now sits as a floating museum along the waterfront, allowing visitors to explore the deck, crew quarters, and scientific equipment.

The ship departed Britain in 1901 with an expedition to explore Antarctica led by Robert Falcon Scott and returned after several years in southern latitudes. It later served as a cargo vessel and training platform until returning to Dundee in the 1980s.

The ship's name reflects an era when polar exploration served as both national adventure and scientific mission. Visitors walk through cramped cabins, laboratories, and storage areas that show how the crew lived and worked for months trapped in Antarctic ice.

The visit includes a walk through the ship and exhibition spaces on the quayside, located along Riverside Drive. The site is partly accessible for wheelchair users, though access to certain areas aboard may be limited by narrow passageways and stairs.

The ship is the last wooden three-masted vessel built in Britain and holds its place on the national ships register. The massive ice reinforcement in its hull was designed to withstand Antarctic pressure and differs from later metal research ships.

Location: Dundee City

Official opening: March 21, 1901

Length: 86.62 m

Made from material: lumber

Website: https://dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk/attraction/discovery-point

GPS coordinates: 56.45694,-2.96667

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:45