City of jute, jam and journalism...

JUTE

Eighteenth-century Dundee was one of Britain’s busiest whaling ports and, when it was discovered that whale oil could soften jute fibres, Dundee’s jute trade boomed. By the end of the 19th century the industry employed over 50,000 people (mostly women) in over 100 mills. Dundee became known as ‘Juteopolis’ and large fortunes were made by ‘jute barons’, who commissioned local shipbuilders for vessels to import the raw fibres from India. Jute continued to play a starring role in the city into the 1960s, though on a smaller scale.

JAM

Janet Keiller and her husband John ran a cake shop in Dundee in the mid 1700s. The story goes that, one day, John spotted a cargo of Seville oranges being offloaded at the quayside. They were virtually being given away, so John took them back to his wife. Marmalade recipes already existed but it’s believed Janet was the first to leave peel in the mix. Before long, ‘chip marmalade’ became a local delicacy. The first Keiller’s factory opened in 1797 and soon after, marmalade was being shipped throughout the Empire. The stoneware jars are now highly collectable.

JOURNALISM

Established in Dundee in 1905, DC Thomson & Co Ltd’s comic output includes Bunty, The Dandy, Oor Wullie and The Beano. This summer you’ll be able to enjoy a bespoke exhibition featuring some of The Beano’s most lovable characters at The McManus, Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum. The Bash Street Kids (who were reputedly modelled on pupils at Dundee High School) have taken over the building until 21st October. mcmanus.co.uk