The picture galleries were de-installed in February 2003.
Their contents were taken either to McLellan Galleries for the Art Treasures of Kelvingrove exhibition (which ran from April 2003 until October 2005), or to storage at the Resource Centre.
A police escort at walking pace ensured the safe transportation of the paintings to their temporary homes.
Sixty-four of the French Impressionist paintings toured North America and one venue in Spain before returning for a hugely successful show in Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway.