A peripheral district of Dundee, lying 3 miles (5 km) northwest of the city centre, St. Mary's lies to the north of Ardler and the northwest of Downfield. The area was developed as a public housing estate after the Second World War, with its streets named after saints with British connections.
The district is served by a community centre (opened 2008, on the site of St. Kilda Park), Craigowl Primary School, a few shops, a post office and there is a Baptist church on St. Kilda Road. Downfield Golf Course lies to the west, while Clatto Country Park and reservoir lie immediately to the northwest.
The award-winning poet Don Paterson was born here in 1963.