125 years and counting

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is turning 125. And even after all this time, it still finds new ways to surprise you.
black and white image of museum centre hall with ornate features and a marble statue in the centre

4500 objects on display.

22 galleries.

95 floating heads.

421 paintings.

And yes, a resident elephant named Sir Roger.

Have you spotted any of these objects on your visit?

floating head objects suspended from ceiling with different expression in museum gallery setting.
Floating heads
Sir Roger the Asian elephant in museum setting with a spitfire plane behind.
Sir Roger
angled view of oil paintings in golden frames on a white wall, the focal image is a Van Gogh painting of a man with a ginger beard, face on.
Galleries

And now, there’s something new to discover. Something with a very familiar voice. Explore Kelvingrove in its 125th year with the one and only Sir Billy Connolly in his brilliant audio tour. Featuring his memories of visiting when he was wee plus his favourite and not-so-favourite objects!

close up image of a man, Billy Connolly, with round spectacles, long white hair and a white beard wearing a colourful shirt, laughing.

Find out why Sir Billy Connolly loves Kelvingrove

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Listen to his exclusive audio tour
large spitfire engine hanging from the ceiling in a museum setting

Find out more about Kelvingrove's history with our free digital guides.

Discover hidden histories, intriguing artefacts and much more.

Listen now

Plan your visit

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two Barbie dolls in front of a red sandstone ornate building. The text on the building reads 'Kelvingrove' which is viable to the side of the two dolls.

What's coming soon

Barbie: The Exhibition

13 June - 18 October 2026

Find out more

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. 125 and counting!

A blast from the past...

On 2 May, 125 years ago, we opened our doors for the very first time as part of the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition. Take a look at some of the images from that time.

black and white image of men in black suits in a gallery setting looking at a marble statue of a woman
Kelvingrove on opening day
black and white image of the frontage of Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - the front of which is supported by scaffolding bars.
Kelvingrove under construction

Image credits: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Centre Hall 1901 ©️ Glasgow Life Museums

View west to Kelvingrove from Industrial Hall, 1901©️ Glasgow Life Museums