CamperdownCountry Park, often known as just Camperdown Park, is a public park in the Camperdown area of Dundee, Scotland. The park comprises the former grounds of Camperdown House, a 19th-century mansion, which was bought by the city in 1946. Camperdown Park is home to a wildlife centre and recreational facilities. It is the largest park in Dundee, stretching to. Over 190 species of tree are found in the park. Camperdown House is "the largest Greek Revival house remaining in Scotland." It is protected as a category A listed building, and the park is included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant parks.
History
The Camperdown estate was originally known as Lundie, and was bought by Alexander Duncan in 1682. A 16th-century house stood on the estate at this time. Several members of the family served as Provost of Dundee during the 18th century. In 1797, during the French Revolutionary Wars, Admiral Adam Duncan commanded the Royal Navy fleet that defeated the Dutch at the Battle of Camperdown. He was rewarded by being raised to the peerage as Viscount Duncan. In 1820, his son Robert, 2nd Viscount Duncan, commissioned William Burn to design a new house in the Greek Revival style. The earlier house was demolished, and the new house was completed in 1828. Lord Duncan renamed the house and estate Camperdown in memory of his father's victory, and in 1831 he was created Earl of Camperdown by William IV. The parklands surrounding the house were laid out by Lord Camperdown, with the assistance of his forester David Taylor, who along with his son planted most of the estate's trees between 1805 and 1859. After the death of the 4th Earl of Camperdown in 1933, the earldom became extinct, and Camperdown was inherited by a cousin, Georgiana, widow of the 7th Earl of Buckinghamshire. On her death in 1937, the contents were sold, and the house followed, being bought by the Corporation of Dundee in 1946. Camperdown Country Park officially opened to the public in 1949.
Camperdown is notable in horticulture as the origin of the Camperdown Elm, a short, broad, "weeping" variety of elm. The tree was discovered in around 1835-1840 by Lord Camperdown's head forester, David Taylor, who noticed a mutant contorted wych elm branch sprawling along the ground. The earl's gardener produced the first Camperdown Elm by grafting it to the trunk of a normal wych elm. Every Camperdown Elm is from a cutting taken from that original tree and is grafted on a U. glabra trunk.
Facilities
Wildlife Centre
The Camperdown Wildlife Centre is home to over 300 animals, of 50 different species. The centre contains mainly mammals and birds but also houses several reptile species. The centre is a member of BIAZA which promotes high standards of care for animals in zoo collections. Comet and Star, the two brown bears, were two of the most popular animals at the centre. Comet died in 2016 and Star was joined by three younger bears from another collection. Star died in 2018. Britain's rarest mammal, the pine marten, can also be found in the centre. Camperdown Wildlife Centre received its "zoo licence" in September 2003. The park made news headlines in 1986 when "Jeremy", its female European brown bear, bit the arm off ten-year-old Ross Prendergast, who had sneaked into the park after hours. A campaign was launched to stop the bear being put down. The bear enclosure has been enlarged since the incident, and there are now three different bears at the park. In 2007 the park was subjected to a horrific attack by vandals who broke into the zoo and launched an assault on numerous different species. The thugs used weapons including a pick axe, a knife and stakes. As a result of the attack, a fallow deer was left with a large wound located on its side, a terrapin's eyes had been gouged out and a snowy owl had become so distressed that it canabilised its own offspring. Following the incident two boys ages 11 and 13 were charged. A total of 25 animals had been injured.
Golf course
Camperdown Country Park has an 18-hole golf course. It is 6548 yards in length. It was opened in 1959 and became a very popular golf course. During the 1970s the course held the British Police Championship, and the Scottish Stroke-Play Championship.
Camperdown Park Run
Camperdown Park Run takes place in Camperdown Park every Saturday at 9:30. The start and finish is at the top of the park, with the course following an undulating course around the park. Camperdown parkrun started on 19/5/2012, the event has on average 153 runners a week. Parkrun events are volunteer run and open to runners or walkers of all abilities .
