The British city with volcanic views, lava trails – and great fashion

EXPECT volcanic views, great fashion and Scottish salami in Dundee.

Author Janice Hopper explores this vibrant city.

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Check out the legendary style

V&A Dundee is celebrating its fifth birthday with a very cool tartan exhibition and until mid-January you can see stunning outfits from Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen for £12.73 per adult (Vam.ac.uk/dundee).

Next, board the RRS Discovery – also known as the ship that set off for Antarctica in 1901 – and see how Ernest Shackleton and Captain Scott survived their perilous journey.

Adult tickets cost £17 (Rrsdiscovery.co.uk).

Later, take a 30-minute bike ride along the waterfront to Broughty Ferry, where you’ll find independent fashion shops like the Scandinavian-inspired Lulu & M, the colorful Bella Mella and the chic Prego Boutique.

Bike hire costs £5 per half day (Cyclehub.org/dundee-cycle-hub).

CELEBRATE GIRL POWER

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The fascinating Verdant Works Museum – home to the city’s huge 19th-century jute production – tells the story of how Dundee got its nickname ‘She Town’. Entry costs £14 per adult (Verdantworks.co.uk).

Afterwards, dine at Daisy Tasker, a bistro dedicated to a local mill girl who also enjoys organizing work meetings.

Opt for duck liver parfait with Dundee jam (£5.95) and hake with red lentil dal curry (£16.50).

Wash it down with a Jam Cosmo, £9 (Daisytasker.co.uk).

Continue the party with cotton candy cocktails for £8.50 at quirky bar The Tipsy Goat (Thetipsygoat.co.uk).

SHOPPING SCOTTISH

Buy delicious Scottish cheeses from The Cheesery, including the buttery Wee Comrie and the tastier Minger (Thecheesery.co.uk).

Then grab unique gifts like T-Rex earrings made by local makers at Maisy & Mac (Maisieandmac.com).

Tea lovers shouldn’t miss JA Braithwaite, where tins of tea and coffee line the walls (Facebook.com/JABraithwaite).

Come past the terminal

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Treat yourself to lunch overlooking the Tay Bridge at Bridgeview Station, a restaurant in a converted train station, and order the Plowman’s Platter with treats like Great Glen salami and Blue Murder cheese for £9.50 (Bridgeviewstation.com) .

In the evening, enjoy Afro-Caribbean-inspired dishes at Gidi Grill – the sticky smoked pork ribs, £23.95, are excellent (Gidigrill.com).

Oh, and don’t forget the Dundee cake!

At Fisher & Donaldson (Fisheranddonaldson.com) you’ll find the best of the city’s signature fruit casserole topped with almond bits.

GO ON A LAVA TRAIL

Get your caffeine fix at Daily Grind Coffee Co, where murals are adorned with murals, before hiking to the city’s highest point, the Dundee Law volcanic sill (Dundeelaw.info).

The trail, which starts from the town square, takes 40 minutes and the panoramic views are worth the effort.

Are you visiting us between April and October?

Treat yourself to your own Total Wipeout moment at Wild Shore, Dundee’s water obstacle course, for £17 per person.

Or opt for a more relaxed stand-up paddleboarding session from £10 per hour (Wildshoredundee.co.uk).

KIP WATERSIDE

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Relax in the pool, steam room and sauna at the waterfront Apex City Quay Hotel.

Rooms are chic and cost from £120 including V&A Tartan tickets.

You’ll also be treated to a specialty cocktail, an exclusive V&A gift and a breakfast of homemade waffles, wild mushrooms on brioche or a full Scottish meal. #Winning (Apexhotels.co.uk).