City’s history

Shopping centre exhibit on permanent display

Entitled Old Dundee, the displays at the Overgate are a mixture of black and white images supplied by Dundee University Archive Services, and coloured images courtesy of local photographer Neale Elder.

The photographs capture the city from the 1900s up until 1998, when the old Overgate and the Angus Hotel were demolished.

The exhibit has been installed as a permanent feature in the Overgate, as an eye-catching attraction for shoppers and visitors alike.

Pictures include the City Churches, the High Street and Murraygate dating back to 1900, the Westport in 1950 and the construction of the Tay Bridge in 1963.

The exhibition also features landmarks including Dundee Ice Rink, City Square, Reform Street and Lochee High Street.

A native of Dundee but now living in Perth, Neale, who works for Network Rail, said while he had amassed “thousands” of images of Tayside over the past few decades, he was surprised when he was asked for the pictures to be used, as he considered photography as simply a hobby.

He said: “It came as a big shock when I was approached and asked if my images could be used.

“I had more than 2,000 Dundee photos in a folder on the website Flickr and the organisers decided which ones to use for the exhibition.

“It’s strange because you don’t realise how much a photo has aged until you revisit it and see the style of the cars or clothes and realise it’s a long time ago. People speak about ‘Old Dundee’ these days and they’re talking about pictures from the 1980s.

“To me, ‘ Old Dundee’ — or what my parents’ generation would call ‘Old Dundee’ — would be the trams, the Fifies ferries or the Royal Arch.

“To have my photos displayed was a big surprise, but a pleasant one, and I’m looking forward to seeing the exhibition in the centre.”

Malcolm Angus, the centre’s manager, said he hopes Old Dundee will appeal to historians, locals and anyone with an interest in the development of the city and its changing landscape over the years.

He said: “Old Dundee is a fantastic free installation that captures to striking effect the transformation of the city and many of its landmarks over the last century.

“As the regeneration of Dundee continues, the launch of Old Dundee is a timely trip down memory lane and a wonderful opportunity to see the changes that have taken place.”

The colour displays are located in the East Gallery, as shoppers enter from William Gardiner Square.

The black and white photographs are situated as you enter the mall from level 2 of Bank Street Car Park.

Jan Merchant, from archive services, culture and information at the University of Dundee, said: “We are delighted to be able to share these wonderful images of the city.

“They are just a few of the treasures that we hold in the university archives which record individuals, industry and organisations in the Tayside area.

“Everyone is welcome to visit the archives to view and consult the documents, photographs, plans and books that open up the past of Dundee.

“We’re proud that the university has such an amazing resource that it shares with the city and the people of Dundee.”

DUNDONIANS will have the opportunity to take a trip down memory lane with a striking new photography installation just launched in a city shopping centre.