RRS Discovery to reopen to public this summer

The historic ship RRS Discovery at Discovery Quay in Dundee, will open once again to the public this summer after a refurbishment.

The renovation has involved refurbishing the ship’s masts and rigging, which will be going back up to be on display for visitors.

The refurbishment company T. Nielsen will now spend the next few weeks reassembling the ship in time for summer visitors.

The attraction has also announced that visitors can benefit from lower ticket prices in the weeks running up to the reopening. The visitor centre at Discovery Quay will be cutting its admission prices by 50% during this time.

What can visitors expect at Discovery Quay?

Admission to the attraction includes entry to the RRS Discovery exhibition, which tells the story of the building of the ship in Dundee through to Captain Scott and his crew's gruelling expedition to the Antarctic in 1912.

The stories are told through hands-on interactive and computer-based displays, an audio-visual show, and artefacts from the ship. 

Visitors can also do a virtual tour of the ship thanks to an interactive augmented reality exhibit, using Xbox controllers, developed by St. Andrews University.

The visitor centre also includes a café and a gift shop.

Further information about the redevelopment

RRS Discovery's repair programme was funded partly by a crowdfunding campaign, which raised more than £40,000 and was fronted by TV presenter Lorraine Kelly. 

Paul Jennings, executive director of Dundee Heritage Trust, which operates the attraction, said: "The restoration work to the masts and rigging went very smoothly down in Gloucester and we're excited, as I'm sure the public is, to see Discovery in all her masted glory again.”

For more information visit www.rrsdiscovery.com.