About the Museum
Made in Dundee – Designed for Adventure!
The Dundee Shipbuilders Company built the Royal Research Ship Discovery in just one year. Launched on the 21st of March 1901, she was the first ship purpose built for scientific research in Antarctica, with a design heavily influenced by the great Dundee whalers. Her maiden voyage was the British National Antarctic Expedition, also known as the Discovery Expedition, under the command of Captain Robert Falcon Scott. This was also the first time to the great white south for explorers such as Shackleton, Wilson, Crean and Wild. After 2 winters in Antarctica, Discovery and her crew returned to the UK to a hero’s welcome.
After a spell as a cargo ship for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Discovery returned to Antarctica for the British Oceanographic Expedition (1925-1927) and the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (1929-1931). Discovery then spent the next 55 years in London as a training ship for the Sea Scouts and later the Royal Navy Auxiliary Reserve and finally as part of the Maritime Trust fleet of historic ships. Her final Dundee story, and the beginning of her time with Dundee Heritage Trust, began when she returned in 1986, with thousands lining the shores of the River Tay to greet her home. In 1993 she moved to her permanent home of Discovery Point, a purpose built museum, visitor centre and conference venue playing host to over 150,000 visitors per year from both the public and business communities.
Discovery Point interprets the history of Discovery with displays focusing on the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1904 led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott. The RRS Discovery is part of the UK’s National Historic Fleet. The Recognised polar collections primarily relate to the history of the ship and the men who served on her. They vary from navigational instruments to scientific specimens collected on the ship's expeditions to personal objects that vividly represent daily life for polar explorers of the period.
A trip to Discovery Point is an adventure in its own right as audiovisual shows, computer-based multimedia and displays of the actual artefacts of the crew transport you to Antarctica.
Climb aboard Captain Scott's ship RRS Discovery where you will follow in the footsteps of him and his crew, see how they lived, what they ate and witness their hardships and their triumphs. It is a fascinating tale of one of the most heroic voyages of exploration ever undertaken.
A great day out for all the family.
- All weather award-winning 5-star attraction
- Hands on interactives
- Computer-based multimedia and displays
- Audio visual show
- Gift Shop
- Cafe
