Dundee, Scotland's forth largest city, was granted it's first Charter as a Royal Burgh, at the end of the 12th Century, reflecting it's flourishing trade with Flanders and the Baltic ports at that time. Even in these days, textiles, in the form of flax, linen and wool, were important. It continued to develop following the wars of Independence and for many years, ranked second only to Edinburgh in wealth and prestige.

This long period of prosperity came to a sudden end in the 17th Century, when the town was first captured and sacked by the Marquis of Montrose in 1645. Then six years later the Cromwellian army under the leadership of General Monck, destroyed most of the town, while in 1658 a ferocious storm destroyed the harbour. It would not be until after the Jacobite Rebellions that growth and prosperity would return. In 1892 Dundee was granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria conferring the status of city.

The city is the home of a number of historic ships, most notably RRS Discovery - one of the research ships that took Robert Falcon Scott to Antarctica - and the frigate Unicorn - the oldest warship still afloat in Britain!