£3.5m funding boost for historic Discovery Point redevelopment in Dundee

The Discovery Point redevelopment has been given a £3.5m funding boost from the National Lottery.

Plans for the funds include changes to the museum, including two new exhibitions exploring Antarctica’s “magnetic pull” on explorers and how Discovery’s voyages helped shape science.

A new bistro and upgraded learning facilities also form part of the plans.

RSS Discovery itself is undergoing restoration works, which will continue with the new funding.

As the ship approaches its 125th birthday in 2026, a specially designed cradle will be built to hold the vessel as its timbers are replaced.

Discovery was built in Dundee in 1901 and carried Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on their first Arctic Expedition.

After sailing the world, the ship returned to Dundee in 1986 and to a permanent home at Discovery Point.

Building works are scheduled to begin next year and finish by 2028, with RRS Discovery remaining open throughout.

An artist's impression of how Discovery Point will look after the development. — An artist’s impression of how Discovery Point will look after the development. AIM Design

Caroline Clark, Heritage Fund director for Scotland, said: “Captain Scott’s 1901 Antarctic expedition was the first and the most famous of RRS Discovery’s voyages, but for 30 years the ship was a ground-breaking mobile scientific research centre, collecting data still vital today as we face the challenge of climate change.

“With National Lottery support, the Discovery Point Transformed project will secure this historic and internationally important ship for future generations.

“Through revitalising Discovery Point it will allow the knowledge collected on RRS Discovery to continue to inform public understanding of the importance of the polar regions and the impact of climate change.”

David Henry, Chairman of the Dundee Heritage Trust, said: “The next stage of Discovery Point Transformed marks an exciting new chapter in our ongoing mission to preserve and celebrate Discovery’s extraordinary legacy.”

“By combining innovative exhibitions with essential conservation work, we will ensure that RRS Discovery continues to educate and inspire for the next century.”

Ged Young, director at AIM Design, says, “This is fantastic news for Dundee Heritage Trust and the next phase of Discovery Point Transformed; a project that will enable the Museum to implement essential energy performance improvements.

“The opening of the south facade over two levels to reveal views of the Tay presents a once in a generation opportunity to capture an elevated panoramic of this impressive estuary that has been so critical to the City’s development and success.