Stobswell – or “Stobie” as it’s more commonly referred to – is home to some of the most iconic and popular Dundee landmarks.
From the majestic Baxter Park and its pavilion to the grand Morgan Academy, the area is rich with Victorian history.
Starting out as a small hamlet outside, the expansion of Dundee due to the industrial revolution saw areas like Stobie eventually become part of the city.
And with Dundee’s thriving jute industry employing thousands, the city’s jute barons took to developing housing in the area to accommodate those working in the textile mills.
Fast forward to 2023 and Stobswell is now home to a thriving community of around 10,000 people
Among these residents is Joy Melville – who also acts a chair of the community group Stobswell Forum.
Passionate about all things to do with Stobie, she has listed five things about the area that make it the place to be.
1. Green Spaces
Stobswell is home to a number of public parks and open spaces that prove to be a popular family attraction for people living in Dundee and beyond.
These areas can cater for almost every occasion – so whether you’re looking to take up a sporting activity or even get married, Stobswell has you covered.
Joy said: “We have obviously got Baxter Park and to me that’s the best park in Dundee by far.
“It’s got so much on offer – from the tennis courts to the pavilion where you can even get married!
“There’s also a community group called Friends of Baxter Park and one of the things they are looking to do is introduce a nuttery .
“So they are thinking off growing nuts for the local community and I think that’s a really novel idea.
“And just a short walk from Baxter Park is Swannie Ponds – that’s a big family attraction in Dundee.
“There’s also the Robertson’s Street community garden and allotments.
“And in addition to those, there are pocket parks – so small areas that have been regenerated so people can use them.”
2. Food and Drink
Another strength of Stobie is the diverse food and drink scene which, Joy explains, has something for everyone to enjoy.
“There’s some really unique eateries in the Stobswell area”, she said.
“One is called Jim’s Delhi Club (located on Albert Street) which serves Indian street food.
“The is also a new Nigerian takeaway called AbuleTiwa, which is also on Albert Street.
“And on Dura Street there is Storm Burgr.
“These are all really different. They are sort of street-food type places and it’s good to have something unique the area.”
3. Arts and Culture
Stobswell has played host to a number of artistic initiatives in recent years – including Open Close Dundee, a project which has injected life into forgotten corners of the city.
As well helping the area embrace its artistic side, these projects have allowed locals to pay homage to their hometown heroes.
“Recently in Dundee there was Art Night and Stobswell played host to some of the events, including in Baxter Park and on Albert Street”, Joy explained.
“The Stobswell Connect hub also had live music .
“There’s also [an initiative called] Open Close which is about painting closie doors.
“So one got a macaroni pie painted on it for example.
“And work is also being done to brighten up the shutters on shops, some of these have been painted different colours to cheer the place up.
“We also have a wide range of murals – there’s one on Cardean Street and another being done in Craigie Street.
“And on Langland’s Street there is a mural of the suffragette Ethel Muirhead and another local hero Billy Mackenzie of the Associates has one at Kemback Street.
“People come from all over to see that one.”
4. Architecture
Some of Dundee’s most recognisable – and architecturally significant – buildings can be found in Stobswell.
From the first Carnegie library built in the city to the imposing Morgan Academy, Stobswell architecture highlights Dundee’s rich history which is still being used today.
Joy said: “We’ve got the amazing Morgan Academy building, for example.
“There is also Arthurstone Library which is a Carnegie library.
“And looking to the future, the Museum of Transport is going to be moving from its current location at Market Mews to the old Victorian tram depot in Stobswell.
“So that’s another thing to look forward to.”
5. Community Spirit
Through Joy’s role as chair of the Stobswell Forum, she sees first hand the generosity of the local community.
Whether it’s collecting donations for a Christmas appeal or hosting the area’s very own festival, the people of Stobswell are always willing to lend a helping hand.
“What I really like is the community spirit. Being involved in the community forum, there’s always absolutely loads of things going”, Joy said.
“In the run up to Christmas there is our appeal where we collect goods for various charities that help young people.
“All the local businesses on Albert Street participate in this and they have a collection box to encourage their customers to chip in.
“And we liaise with local charities to get them to nominate children and we’ll match up the gifts that have been donated.
“Over and above that, we also get cash donations to the tune of thousands of pounds that we are able to distribute to local people – it’s amazing.
“Stobswell is the place to be.”
Conversation