Verdant Works Museum

About the museum

Verdant Works was built in 1833 as a flax mill for the spinner and merchant David Lindsay, and its oldest part is the High Mill. By 1863 warehouses, batching areas and offices had been added, and the mill later produced jute, the fibre that made Dundee a leading textile city. At the end of the nineteenth century the textile trades employed about half of the working population of Dundee.

The mill was turned into a museum that opened in 1996 and is run by Dundee Heritage Trust. It is the only dedicated jute museum in the United Kingdom, and its jute collection was named a Recognised Collection of National Significance in 2008. The collections cover machinery, products, tools, technical drawings and the archives and photographs of mills and their workers.

In 2015 a new open gallery was opened in the High Mill after a restoration part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Visitors can see machines at work and learn about the lives of the mill workers, the industry’s connections with India and the social history of the city.

Highlights

• Restored jute mill of 1833 with working machinery
• Social history gallery on the lives of Dundee’s mill workers
• High Mill open gallery, opened in 2015
• Only dedicated jute museum in the UK
• Café in the former boiler room and a shop with Dundee-made goods

Permanent exhibitions

• High Mill and mill machinery – The oldest part of the mill, restored as an open gallery, with machines that are shown at work.
• Social History gallery – First-floor gallery on the lives of Dundee’s mill workers and the social history of the city’s textile industry.

Founded

1996

Operated by

Dundee Heritage Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is sold as passes valid for a year: the Off-Peak Pass (£13) is valid on weekdays outside school holidays and the Unlimited Pass (£15) on all opening days. Concession rates exist, but the amounts are not listed on the website.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance is a historic cobbled courtyard that is passable with care. Ramps are provided wherever floor levels change, and a lift serves the first-floor Social History gallery, the conference rooms and the High Mill balconies. The width of some doorways may make reception difficult for users of large mobility scooters. Wheelchairs can be borrowed free of charge, seating is available throughout, and adapted toilets are provided. A Sennheiser infra-red hearing system is installed where there is significant audio, with headphone or necklace units to borrow from reception. Assistance dogs are admitted, and sensory backpacks with a sensory map are free to borrow. The nearest Changing Places toilet is in the V&A Dundee.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

Children up to 16 go free with a paying adult. Free sensory backpacks with an activity sheet, a soft toy and sensory toys can be borrowed from reception, and the museum lists family activities and events on its website.

Getting there & parking

The entrance is on West Henderson’s Wynd.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Verdant Works Cafe, in the former boiler room, serves lunches, tea and scones and cakes, and welcomes dogs. The gift shop stocks jute goods and products from independent Scottish makers.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Conference and meeting rooms are available for corporate events.

Plan your visit