I love taxidermy. My bus used to drive past the www.getstuffed.com shop in Islington every day and I’d love looking inside, perplexed at the time as to what kind of shop would have a window stuffed with rigid creatures. So when I read about Dundee’s secret Zoology Museum AND a new gastro pub in Dundee with an interior using taxidermy, I was there.
The D’Arcy Thompson Pub & Dining Room was very inviting on a late Friday afternoon. The simple palette of polished wood, exposed copper piping and original feature windows are a perfect backdrop to the “taxidermy” inspired details jotted around the space. Serving lunch and dinner and a superb cocktail list this is going to be a firm favourite. For a special group occasion I’d recommend booking the round dining table in the snug.
I think I liked the pub even more for being so clever to take its inspiration from The D’Arcy Thomson Museum of Zoology.
What a nice afternoon that would be, to visit this “secret” museum” with its collection of curiosities and then follow it up with a late lunch just a hop and skip away.
Named after the University of Dundee’s first Professor of Biology, D’Arcy Thomson, it houses the collection of specimens he collected from all over the world. The gorilla, elephant and crab spider skeletons are impressive and kids will love it, but its the tiny beautifully curated displays of taxidermy that stole my heart.
The D’Arcy Thompson Museum of Zoology will be open every Friday during the Summer Holidays. keep tabs on talks and events at http://www.facebook.com/darcy.thompson.754
The D’Arcy Thompson Pub & Dining Room is open from 11 to Tel: 01382 322 694 Open 11.30 to midnight daily for lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks.
