GLASGOW.- After delighting more than 635,000 visitors Dippy, the Natural History Museum London’s famous dinosaur, has bowed out to rapturous applause at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Following a record-breaking stop in Glasgow, Dippy is being dismantled and packed away, ready to head to Great North Museum: Hancock, opening there on the 18th May.

Newcastle upon Tyne is the fifth destination to host Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure, which is being brought to visitors across the UK by the Natural History Museum, London in partnership with the Garfield Weston Foundation, and supported by Dell EMC and Williams & Hill.

Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor David McDonald said: ‘Didn’t Dippy do well. The majestic creature looked quite at home gracing the main hall in Kelvingrove Museum. Since January he has wowed over 635,000 people since arriving in Scotland. Having visited the museum on several occasions its clear many Glaswegians and visitors to the city have taken Dippy into their hearts.

‘Dippy on Tour has been the most successful temporary exhibition at Kelvingrove since it reopened after refurbishment 13 years ago. We are sad to see Dippy go, but know he will delight thousands more as he continues on his tour around the country inspiring others to enjoy a natural history adventure on their own doorstep.’

Glasgow was the fourth stop on an eight venue tour designed to inspire five million natural history adventures, spark the next generation of scientists and encourage families to explore nature on their doorstep. Since opening to an enthusiastic Scottish audience in Kelvingrove Museum on the 22 January more than 635,000 people have marvelled at the impressive 21.3 meter long diplodocus cast, setting a record for the highest number of visitors to a temporary exhibition to date. This is more than double the number of people in any other city on the tour so far.

Lorraine Cornish, Head of Conservation at the Natural History Museum London, said ‘We have been thrilled with Dippy’s visit to Glasgow, not only has the city welcomed Dippy with open arms but the tour also reached the incredible milestone of one million visitors during its stay. With record numbers visiting Kelvingrove Dippy has continued to inspire visitors to explore the natural world on their doorstep. We now hope to build on this success as Dippy heads to Newcastle where he looks forward to settling into his temporary new home in the Great North Museum, Hancock where an eager audience awaits him.’

Director of the Garfield Weston Foundation, Philippa Charles said: ‘We are absolutely delighted that Scotland has embraced Dippy so enthusiastically, with Kelvingrove Museum welcoming the most number of visitors on the tour so far. We wish him the very best at his next stop in Newcastle where we know he will continue to inspire the next generation to care for our natural world.’

The splendid 292 bone structure is now being taken down and packed into 16 crates to be transported in a specially-prepared vehicle to travel to Newcastle upon Tyne.

Caroline McDonald, Manager at the Great North Museum: Hancock, added: “It is fantastic to learn that Dippy has been so incredibly popular at Kelvingrove. What an achievement for Glasgow! We can’t wait to open our exhibition on 18 May and feel sure that the people of Newcastle will come in their droves to see Dippy.”