
witch
© own
Dundee
Dundee`s Turbulent History - From Witchcraft Trials to Votes for Women.
A friendly, guided walk. We cover the sieges, crimes, disasters and upheaval affecting Dundee and its resilient people down the centuries.
**We meet at the fountains in City Square, Dundee**
This is the site of the long-lost St Clement`s Church and Graveyard. We will cover more than 400 years of turbulent Scottish history as we walk.
This tour covers a very difficult period, for the city and people of Dundee. As we walk the streets, you will hear stories of devastating invading armies as well as witchcraft persecution and executions - remembered by many Dundonians to this day.
Crime, often driven by abject poverty and alcohol use, blighted many lives. Theft could send someone to Australia for several years. Debt could land them in the newly - built prison at Bell Street and ill health often placed them in the New Howff Cemetery opened next door.
At Dundee Prison men were publicly executed in the 1800`s, watched by thousands. It was also there that the courageous Dundee Suffragettes faced prison and went on hunger strike in the 20th Century. We make sure to pay tribute to their efforts as we relate their story.
We cover a little- known disaster which took many lives in the city centre and finish in the ancient Howff Graveyard. Here, we consider Dundee`s connection to the Slave Trade and those terrible witchcraft trials.
The tour is around 1.25 miles (2011 metres) in distance. Please wear suitable footwear for a walk on cobbles, up stairways and around gravestones etc. Walks will go ahead irrespective of the weather. Please dress accordingly - we are situated at the Tay estuary, leading to the North Sea. Dundee is, however, the sunniest city in Scotland. Yes really.
The terrain is very varied and there are a number of roads to cross. There are significant staircases to climb and gravesides to access across grassland. Accordingly, whist we would very much like to make everyone welcome, this tour may not be suitable for those with mobility issues. Potential guests should please be sure to investigate this for themselves, prior to booking, as we would not wish anyone to be disappointed.
Due to the often-difficult subject matter, parents may wish to consider whether or not they would wish their children to attend. In our view the tour is not suitable for young children.
Please note that your tour ticket price does not entitle you to entry to any of the attractions which we will view or discuss. We would, however, be glad to recommend that you do try to visit or investigate them for yourselves. Tour tickets are for sale online only. Sorry, no refunds after purchase.
THE TOUR WILL BE COMPLIANT WITH SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT COVID REGULATIONS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THERE WILL BE NO OBLIGATION TO WEAR A MASK, THOUGH GUESTS SHOULD FEEL WELCOME TO DO SO, IF THEY WISH.
From £12 per adult
Departure days
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
January — December
Contact details
Discovery Point Concourse
Between RRS Discovery and the V&A
Dundee
Angus
Scotland
DD14XA
Tour information
Tour Stops

Tour company information
Dundee Waterfront Walks
Meet in front of RRS Discovery for Tay Bridge Disaster tour. For all others see Eventbrite for start points ,when booking tickets online - they each differ. We the will take you from as far back as the Volcanic formation of Dundee Law, then lead you safely through some of the wars, disasters and happier events which have affected our city. You will encounter dreadful rogues , awful (but much loved) poets and some true heroes . The history is often sad, sometimes amusing , but always fascinating!
Opening times
Each tour timing /booking per Eventbrite(search "Dundee Waterfront Walks." ) Also on website
https://www.dundeewaterfrontwalks.scot/
Please also visit Dundee Council's Leisure &Culture Whatson.
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