While Scotland is home to plenty of cool places, one postcode has recently been named as the country’s coolest
20:00, 29 Jan 2026Updated 20:17, 29 Jan 2026
Scotland’s cities each have their own trendy neighbourhoods that are popular with the younger and artsy crowds, from Leith in Edinburgh to Finnieston in Glasgow. However, only one was recently named the “coolest postcode” in the whole of the country and it wasn’t in either of the country’s biggest cities.
As reported by the Daily Record, The Times published a list of the “11 coolest UK postcodes to move to” in 2026. One of the postcodes featured on the roundup, and the only one in Scotland to be named, was DD2—which corresponds to the West End of Dundee.
Scotland Now’s Alexander Smail travelled from Edinburgh to DD2 to see what all the fuss is about and to find out if the area is worthy of holding the title of Scotland’s “coolest postcode”.
While in Dundee, Alexander visited some of DD2’s most popular businesses, got a look at a few beauty spots, and was even able to speak to some locals. Continue reading to find out how he got on during his day out in the West End of Dundee.
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On a Monday morning, I set off from Edinburgh excited to spend a few hours in Dundee’s West End and find out for myself if it really is Scotland’s “coolest postcode”. After a weekend of dour weather in the Scottish capital, I was hopeful that I would be able to enjoy a bright and sunny day sampling the local flavour of DD2.
The drive up was relatively short, taking less than an hour and a half from my flat in the capital, and before I knew it I looked out my window to see a colourful ‘Welcome to Dundee’ sign. With skies looking clear and blue, my prayers for a rain-free day in Dundee were answered.
Fraser’s Fruit and Veg was singled out as a highlight of DD2 by The Times, and so it seemed like the perfect place to begin my West End adventure. The grocery store, which opened its doors in 2009 and has since become a local staple, is set inside a bright green building with a charming chalkboard outside detailing what is in stock.
Immediately upon entering Fraser’s Fruit and Veg, I was greeted by friendly cashier Lola Knibb who told me to ask if I needed help with anything. Looking around, I was impressed by the wide selection of products given the relatively small space, with everything from nut butters and pickled vegetables to beer and wine available.
I was able to grab a quick chat with owner Fraser Reid before I left, who has run Fraser’s Fruit and Veg for more than 15 years. I was eager to hear his thought on DD2 being crowned the “coolest postcode” in the whole of Scotland to move to 2026.
Reed, 41, said: “I suppose it’s a bit unusual, I would imagine. I think that Dundee is obviously getting quite a lot of good buzz at the moment.
“The West End being one of the top postcodes the UK is a bit of a surprise, but we like it. I mean, I live in a little bubble between where I live and having a shop in this postcode. I love it around here.”
Fraser’s Fruit and Veg is found on Perth Road, which is the central hub of the West End. Many of the area’s most popular businesses and cafés are dotted along the street and so I spent the next wee while just walking up and down the road to get a feel for it.
I was pleasantly surprised by the number of charity shops, with British Red Cross, Shelter, and Diabetes Aide Dundee stores all within a minute or two of each other. I love rummaging through charity shops to find a bargain, so I was pretty much in heaven.
Elsewhere, other shops that caught my eye were costume store Party Wizard, gift shop Kist, and the Le Freak Records music store. The latter two were sadly closed when I visited, and was particularly disappointed not to be able to check out Le Freak Records as I am always looking for an excuse to buy some vinyl.
I reckon you can measure how cool a place is by their coffee offerings. So I headed into EH9 Espresso. While I’d had a great time up to this point, stepping inside EH9 was the first time I really understood why the West End was named the “coolest” place in Scotland.
The café is the type of chic and youthful spot I was expecting to find, and I wasn’t surprised at all to see that most people sat down inside were in their 20s or 30s. With plants everywhere and colourful paper chains hanging from the ceiling, it is exactly the type of coffee shop that I could see myself visiting regularly if I lived in the area.
It was a bit early for a proper bite to eat, so I just ordered an oat milk cappuccino and took a seat on one of the colourful stools dotted around. The coffee was perfectly hot, and I was grateful that—unlike the a lot of cafés—they didn’t overdo the chocolate on top.
Before I left EH9 Espresso, I had a last-minute change of heart about food and so ordered a croissant to go that I had been eyeing. As someone who prefers their croissants to be less flaky and more spongy, I very much enjoyed nibbling on the buttery pastry as I continued to exploreand I almost wish I’d bought a second.
Seeing so many young people in EH9, it reminded me that another major aspect of the West End is its close proximity to the University of Dundee. Much of its population is made up of people attending the university, and whilst out and about I was able to speak with local student Kate McIntosh about living in DD2.
When I asked Kate, 21, how she felt about the area being named one of the “coolest postcodes” in the UK, she told me: “I do kind of agree. Definitely the art school has a massive influence.
“I think just being here and all the students like, it’s really arty place, quite edgy. It’s just nice place to be.”
She continued: “I actually love it. I’ve been living in the same flat my whole uni, so it’s quite like a home for me, and it’s so sunny all the time.
“There’s like quite a lot to do, actually, and I feel like you wouldn’t expect it in Dundee, but there’s actually, yeah, it’s quite a good place.”
When an area becomes trendy over the years and starts appealing to a younger demographic, it can often start to lose its original identity. Many areas across Scotland have been stripped of their character over time, with locals priced out as a torrent of coffee chains and luxury housing flood in.
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Thankfully, according to local businessman John O’Rourke, DD2 is not one of them. O’Rourke, 59, has lived in the area for decades, and is currently the director of acclaimed local-favourite hairdressers McIntyres.
He told me: “Quite unbelievable that the West End has been named Scotland’s coolest postcode, really, but delighted to see it get a wee bit of recognition, because I think a lot of all the independent businesses put a lot into it.
“It’s the lifestyle. They’ve got a lot of passion. I think that. I think the street shows that.
“We’ve been here just over 30 years with McIntyres. I think it’s kept its authenticity, and it’s got that variety of shops that you want to see, and it’s got a mixture of the service and all the little independents.
“It serves a great purpose.”
O’Rourke added: “Living in the West End is nice, easy, convenient. You’ve got everything on your doorstep, the parks, the Magdalen Green.
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“You’ve got all your amenities nearby. So yeah, it’s quite easy, I would say.”
Since it was a nice day, I wanted to get a look at some of the top beauty spots in the area before heading home. With O’Rourke mentioning Magdalen Green, which is Dundee’s oldest city park that has been in use for around 400 years, it was my first stop.
The site of the free annual WestFest community festival, Magdalen Green is most famous for its historic bandstand that dates back to 1890 and has become a symbol of the city. The bandstand was the part of the park I was most excited to see up close, and I am happy to say it did not disappoint.
The structure features amazing bright red columns and lovely contrasting blue detailing, while behind it I was treated to gorgeous views out over the River Tay. I can imagine it is a wonderfully old-fashioned spot to enjoy some live music, and I’m definitely thinking about heading back over the summer to see what the park is like during the hustle and bustle of WestFest.
Finally, I made my way over to the University of Dundee Botanic Garden just to the west. Being one of the most popular gardens in Dundee alongside Magdalen Green, and given that it was a clear day, it seemed like the perfect capper to my DD2 adventure.
I have to admit, being used to the free Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, I was surprised that there was a £5 fee to get into the gardens. Saying that, though, I was more than happy to support the attraction and definitely don’t regret coughing up the entry fee.
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The gardens were nothing mind-blowing, but that’s hardly surprising given that I visited in the middle of January. Still, I had a great time wandering the 9.5-hectare site and especially enjoyed the tropical and temperate glasshouses that were home to a kaleidoscope of beautiful plants before I finally made my way back to the car.
After I had gotten a feel for what Dundee’s West End had to offer, it made me wonder what effect DD2’s new title of Scotland’s “coolest postcode to move to” would have on property prices going forward.
I spoke to local real estate agent Rosie Fraser, who said: “We are thrilled to hear that Dundee is receiving positive recognition as a great place to live with the announcement that West End of Dundee is being named one of the UK’s coolest postcodes for 2026. Property in the West End of Dundee has always been incredibly sought after but it will be interesting to see if this recognition attracts interest in property from further afield.”
Driving back past the colourful welcome sign that I saw on my way into Dundee, I was sad to leave Dundee’s West End. All in all, it was not what I expected – ok it was less exciting than I would have thought given its status as Scotland’s “coolest postcode” but it was even more lovely than I’d hoped.
From the friendly and quirky shops to the abundance of green space, I can see why it is a popular place to live amongst locals both young and old. I love that it has seemingly retained its historic charm and edge while still welcoming trendy new businesses.
Overall, I had a wonderful time in the West End of Dundee and can’t wait to head back over the summer. While I’m not sure I would call it the “coolest” place I have been to in Scotland, I’m glad DD2 and its lovely locals are getting the spotlight they deserve.
