Study Room Name Series: 2. Peep O’Day Lane
Nestled within Dundee’s cityscape, Peep o’ Day Lane is more than just a quaintly named alley—it’s a portal to the city’s rich historical tapestry. The lane’s name harks back to the Peep o’ Day Mansion, once the residence of Walter Ogilvy of Clova, who later became the 6th Earl of Airlie. Walter, born in 1733 at Cortachy Castle, was the younger brother of Lord Ogilvy, a notable Jacobite leader who fought at Culloden. The mansion likely earned its name due to its east-facing orientation, capturing the first light of dawn—a poetic “peep o’ day.”
Following Walter Ogilvy’s death in 1819, the mansion was eventually demolished to make way for the Dundee Gas Works, marking a shift from aristocratic dwellings to industrial development. Despite the physical absence of the mansion, the name Peep o’ Day Lane endures, preserving a fragment of Dundee’s noble past amidst its modern evolution.
Today, Peep o’ Day Lane stands as a testament to Dundee’s layered history, where echoes of Jacobite tales and industrial progress converge. As the city continues to evolve, lanes like this serve as enduring reminders of the stories and figures that have shaped its journey through time.
If you’re feeling inspired by the story of Peep O’Day Lane, why not take a moment to visit its namesake inside the Main Library? Our Peep O’Day Lane group study room is located on the first floor and offers a bright, collaborative space for up to 10 people. It’s equipped with a PC, webcam, presentation screen, and both VGA and HDMI connectors—perfect for group work, presentations or planning sessions.
You can book the room here.
Sources & Further Reading:
- Streetwise Dundee – Leisure & Culture Dundee: Peep o’ Day Lane
- Dundee Historic Environment Trust
- Local archives and maps from Dundee Central Library’s Local History Collection