Community Area: West End, Perth Road corridor, Logie and Blackness

[Image: West End Community Map]

Decentralisation Area: Dundee South West

Area and Boundary Description

The South West area is bounded on one side by the River Tay, stretching from Invergowrie Bay to the fringes of the City Centre. The waterfront boundary provides a linear introduction to the city from the west passing light industrial and commercial developments as well as Dundee Airport and the landfall of the Tay Rail bridge to turn northwards at Discovery Point. The Eastern boundary winds its way north through the city centre Cultural Quarter and Dundee University to turn west at Polepark. From Polepark the northern boundary encloses the neighbourhoods of Logie and Blackness, bisects Balgay Hill and includes Victoria Park and Balgay Cemetery before winding down Ninewells Avenue to join with the Southern boundary at Invergowrie Bay.

Within this area, the defining feature is the Perth Road which begins at the Nethergate in the City Centre and runs west to the Invergowrie bypass on the A85. As far west as Sinderins, the Perth Road "corridor" is the focus of retail, social and commercial life. Thereafter, the area is predominantly residential and includes some of the largest and most prestigious properties in the city. The other main housing "type" in this areas is the tenement. Tenement properties are dominant to the north and south of Perth Road from the city centre to Sinderins and on Blackness Road as far as Balgay Park.

Apart from light industrial activity on Hawkhill and the retail precincts of Perth Road and Blackness Road the area remains largely residential. Dundee University does, however, make a significant impact on the community both by the presence of the campus and activity generated by those learning and working within its facilities.

Brief History of the Area

The West End developed along the main route into the city from the west. In common with other Scottish cities, the gentry of the 18th and 19th centuries built their homes upwind of the industrial heart of the city to avoid the smoke and smells associated with steam and coal. The Dundee University campus, which now dominates the eastern end of Perth Road, was founded in 1881 as University College with links to the University of St Andrews and only became an independent institution in 1967. The presence of the university has been a strong influence on the cultural and social development of the area.

« Community Profiles - Information on your Community

This information is provided by the Leisure and Communities Department