The Mega-store-us, overflowing with everything any dinosaur enthusiast might have on their Christmas wish list, is certain to build excitement ahead of Dippy on Tour’s first ever visit to Scotland.

Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure is being brought to Kelvingrove Museum and visitors across the UK by the Natural History Museum in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation, and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill.

As the UK tour hits the half-way point, the iconic dinosaur will be in Glasgow from 22 January to 6 May 2019. Never before on public display outside of London, Kelvingrove Museum is the only Scottish destination on the tour that has already delighted record-breaking numbers of visitors at three previous venues across the UK.

Dippy on Tour is on a mission to inspire five million natural history adventures and encourage families to explore nature on their doorstep. Glasgow Museums will use Dippy’s visit to showcase the city’s natural history collection and stunning local natural habitats.

Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor David McDonald, said:

We are absolutely thrilled that Dippy will be visiting Kelvingrove Museum as part of the Natural History Museum’s ‘Dippy on Tour. As an area just inside the main entrance is transformed into something resembling a scene from Jurassic Park it’s clear the anticipation is growing. There is a real air of expectation as we eagerly await the arrival of the biggest thing to come to Kelvingrove in an age – quite literally.

Many of our visitors are excited to see the spectacular 111-year-old dinosaur cast up close and we are
Keen to use this wonderful opportunity to engage people in the way we think about and protect our natural world.

Jacob (aged 9) and Becca aged 5) Gray from Glasgow explored the new, purpose-built Mega-store-us situated at one of the main entrances to Kelvingrove Museum. They delved in and discovered dinosaur goodies of all descriptions. Devoured books on bones and birds, the modern day descendants of dinosaurs, had fun with fossil related craft activities and couried in beside cuddly versions of the star attraction, Dippy himself.

Jacob Gray said:

I’m so excited to meet Dippy. I can’t wait to come back once he has stomped into Kelvingrove. Until he does I’m taking my Dippy everywhere. He’s soft, squishy and brilliant.

Visitors can stock up on merchandise from the Natural History Museum’s collection together with a wealth of general dinosaur related products. The range is set to appeal to all, with pocket money toys and stationary starting at less than £1. A 50cm plush version of Dippy, complete with t-shirt retailing at £16, is expected to be a firm favourite. 

The Natural History Museum's Head of National Public Programmes, Katrina Nilsson, said:

We are thrilled to be reaching the half way point of the tour. Dippy has received such an overwhelming welcome at his first three destinations and inspired countless people to explore the fantastic nature available on their doorstep. For the next leg of the tour, Dippy arrives in Glasgow where we hope he will continue to inspire a greater understanding and passion for the natural world.

Dippy, a plaster cast of the fossilised bones of a diplodocus found by railroad workers in Wyoming, USA in 1898, will be carefully reconstructed in the main hall at Kelvingrove Museum. The full skeleton in its displayed pose is an impressive 21.3 metres long, 4.3 metres wide and 4.25 metres high. It will take a specialist team from Natural History Museum, comprising of four technicians and two conservators, five days to bring this incredible creature to life in Glasgow.

It is free to see Dippy on Tour at Kelvingrove Museum. Glasgow Museums, together with partners including RSPB, The Hunterian and The Geological Society of Glasgow have organised an exciting programme of events and activities to accompany Dippy’s visit including talks, workshops for families, self-led trails, handling sessions and hands on activities around the museum.

For more information visit www.glasgowmuseums.com