Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History. I’m your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we’re traveling back to November 23, 1987, when Scotland welcomed the golden arches for the very first time. This day marked the opening of the first McDonald’s restaurant in the country, right in the heart of Dundee on Reform Street.
The arrival of McDonald’s in Scotland wasn’t just about introducing fast food; it was a cultural milestone. The concept of affordable, quick, American-style dining was entirely new to Dundonians. The restaurant’s sleek design, with shiny stainless steel and chrome finishes, immediately caught the eye of locals. It was a striking addition to the city center and quickly became a hotspot.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the new restaurant on that chilly November morning, eager to experience their first-ever Big Mac. Ice hockey players from the Dundee Tigers were on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon, lending a local flair to this international arrival. The excitement didn’t stop after the doors opened. The restaurant burned through three days’ worth of stock in a single day.
Dave Jeffrey, the restaurant’s manager at the time, remembers the whirlwind experience. Dave, originally from Angus, had been managing a McDonald’s in Birkenhead when he was invited to oversee the Dundee opening. It was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up. Dundee was in a close race with Kirkcaldy to become the first Scottish city to host a McDonald’s, and by opening three weeks earlier, Dundee claimed the honor.
The opening week was a record-breaker, becoming the second busiest in McDonald’s UK history up to that point. The energy was palpable. Staff were drafted in from northern England to meet the overwhelming demand. More than 70 employees, many of them teenagers, had been hired locally, and they quickly found themselves at the center of an extraordinary moment in the city’s history.
The menu at the time was straightforward: burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, milkshakes, and fizzy drinks. Though simple by today’s standards, this was a novelty for customers in Dundee, and the restaurant’s fast, consistent service made a lasting impression.
Over the years, McDonald’s on Reform Street became a part of the fabric of Dundee life. In 1998, Ronald McDonald himself switched on the city’s Christmas lights, a memorable moment for many. The restaurant also played host to a few famous visitors, including musician Pete Doherty, who stopped in for breakfast before a Babyshambles gig in 2005.
For Dave Jeffrey, the opening of the Dundee McDonald’s was the start of a remarkable journey. He eventually became a franchisee and stayed with the company until 2014. Dave fondly recalls the camaraderie among the staff and the sense of pride in being part of something new and exciting. Many of the teenagers who worked there went on to successful careers, from bus drivers to doctors and solicitors, and still share stories of their time at McDonald’s.
Today, the McDonald’s on Reform Street remains a thriving business. The technology, menu, and dining experience may have evolved, but the excitement of that November day in 1987 lingers in the memories of those who were there. It was more than just the opening of a restaurant; it was the start of a cultural shift in Scotland, blending local traditions with a global brand.
Thank you for joining me on this journey into Scotland’s past. I’m Colin MacDonald, and I’ll see you tomorrow for another fascinating chapter in This Day in Scottish History. Until then, Haste Ye Back!
