Discovery Mast Climb
DISCOVERY POINT

Prepare for the latest exhilarating experience aboard RRS Discovery! Embark on a thrilling ascent of the towering foremast of RRS Discovery, in a feat of courage with unbeatable views as your reward.

Shackleton's Endurance in 3D

Get up close to Shackleton’s famous shipwreck this summer, with a remarkably detailed 3D model bringing one of the greatest tales of exploration from the seabed to the surface.

Discovery Point Transformed

Explore our plans to transform Discovery Point and spark curiosity in heritage for the next 100 years.

Leave a gift in your will

Did you know Dundee Heritage Trust can receive gifts in wills? Your gift can make a lasting difference.

Our mission for Discovery

Dundee Heritage Trust is a charity formed in 1985 to preserve the RRS Discovery for future generations. Now, we’re on a mission to spark curiosity in heritage, science, and discovery.

Conserving the RRS Discovery

Explore the £3.4M conservation project aboard the RRS Discovery, in a once-in-a-generation effort to preserve her for the next 100 years.

Polar Publications

Celebrate two iconic publications from our Polar Collection: the famous South Polar Times compiled on Discovery in 1902, and Shackleton’s rare Aurora Australis.

The Hope Cross
DISCOVERY POINT

Visit the historic Hope Cross at Discovery Point, built in 1922 by Shackleton’s Quest crewmates after his untimely passing.

Donate

Support our mission

Dundee Heritage Trust is the proud guardian of two of the city's best-loved museums.

Together, we spark curiosity in heritage, science, and discovery for tens of thousands of people each year.

As a charity, your support is vital to protect and share our heritage for the future, and inspire the next generation of explorers, scientists, and adventurers.

Our mission is protect and share Dundee’s local and global heritage for the benefit of current and future generations. 

The Royal Research Ship Discovery is an irreplaceable ship with unique global significance, as the first ship in the world built to pioneer new scientific research in Antarctica.

Built in Dundee, she belongs to the world. An anchor for generations of scientists. A beacon for explorers, young and old. A compass for the curious everywhere.

Verdant Works Museum is the fabric of Dundee, our working Victorian jute mill where we share the stories of the industry that made our city, and made Discovery possible.

Our Impact

Since 1985, we have been making a difference for Dundee’s heritage—and its future!  Your support helps us to preserve and share our heritage for the benefit of our community and visitors from across the globe.

Welcoming the world
Welcoming the world

Over 524,000 people have explored our museums since 2019, supporting a vibrant heritage, culture, and tourism ecosystem in the city of Discovery.

Empowering young learners
Empowering young learners

Every year, we welcome over 3,500 young learners from schools, colleges, and universities across Scotland.

Widening access to heritage
Widening access to heritage

Thanks to your support, 1 in 3 of our young learners is able to visit through our widening access scheme for schools and community groups in need.

Lily, volunteer and former mill-worker, demonstrating to visitors
Saving endangered skills
Saving endangered skills

From the skills of Dundee’s jute workers to shipwrighting aboard the RRS Discovery, we strive to preserve not just the fabric of our heritage, but the skills to protect it for the future.

Serving our community
Serving our community

From our wee explorers under 5 years old to our volunteers aged 18 to 80, our community has been at the heart of our museums for 40 years.

Inspiring the next generation
Inspiring the next generation

Our Giving Promise

As dedicated stewards of our heritage and all those who support our work in Dundee, unless otherwise agreed in advance of your gift, we will always direct donations to the area of greatest need.
 
This empowers our small team of experts, ambassadors, guides, and crew to respond most effectively to the changing needs of our visitors, learners, and communities.
 
If you have a special reason for wishing to dedicate a donation to a particular area of our work, or you would like to consider making a larger gift, you are warmly invited to get in touch with our Development Director, Sam Lagneau, for an informal chat.
 
We would be delighted to hear from you, and explore with you the difference your support could make.

More ways you can help

Keep in touch

Curious about our work, or already a passionate supporter? By signing up to the Trust’s regular newsletter, you can keep up with the latest news from Discovery Point and Verdant Works, including progress on our conservation project aboard the RRS Discovery, upcoming exhibitions, and other special events.

If you no longer wish to hear from us, you can always change your preferences or unsubscribe at any time.

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