Dippy gets a Glasgow makeover!

Bemused bosses at Kelvingrove are hunting an unknown prankster whose clandestine doing is sure to strengthen Dippy's honorary Scot appeal!

Article Source: Glasgow Museums
Last Updated: 1 April 2019 7:21

With record-breaking attendances at Kelvingrove Museum under his bones Dippy, the Natural History Museum London’s famous dinosaur, has proved a huge hit in Glasgow. But today, Monday 1st April, bemused museum bosses are hunting an unknown prankster whose clandestine doing is sure to strengthen Dippy’s honorary Scot appeal. Dippy has donned some rather unusual headgear, in the form of an over-sized orange and white traffic cone. The rather strange choice of accessory appears to be a nod to one of Glasgow’s most well-known monuments, the Wellington Statue.

The equestrian statue of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, located outside the Gallery of Modern Art, is one of Glasgow's most iconic landmarks. Since the early 1980’s it has become something of a tradition to surreptitiously scale the statue and top it with a traffic cone. In 2011 the Lonely Planet guide included it in its list of the Top 10 most bizarre monuments on Earth.

Chair of Glasgow Life, Councillor David McDonald said: ‘Glaswegians and visitors to our wonderful city have taken Dippy to their hearts. Clearly Dippy feels at home here, so much so he has his very own cone emulating Glasgow’s legendary Duke of Wellington statue, which has become a symbol of Glasgow’s identity, our unique and much-lauded sense of humour.

‘Dippy on Tour has been the most successful temporary exhibition at Kelvingrove since it reopened after refurbishment 13 years ago. We’re unsure quite how the traffic cone came to crown this most majestic of creatures, who has captivated people and inspired thousands to enjoy a natural history adventure on their own doorstep.’

Scottish historian Tom Rex added: ‘Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke of Wellington was best known for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo and several statues honouring him can be found across the UK. The one in Glasgow was designed by Italian sculptor Carlo Marochetti and erected in 1844.

‘The Wellington Statue, complete with orange and white traffic cone, draws tourists from across the world, brings a smile to locals’ lips and has inspired its own range of merchandise sold across the city, so I’m not surprised Dippy was keen to get in on the act. The Duke even made a cameo appearance in Danny Boyle’s BAFTA Scotland winning black comedy drama T2 Trainspotting.’

Glasgow is the fourth stop on an eight city UK wide tour. Since opening to a rapturous Scottish audience in Kelvingrove Museum at the end of January, over 350,000 people have marvelled at the impressive 21.3 meter long diplodocus cast, setting a record for the highest number of visitors to date. This is more than 100,000 more people than in any other city on the tour so far – with five weeks of his visit still to go.

Glasgow is the only city in Scotland to host Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure, which is being brought to Kelvingrove Museum and 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.

The splendid 292 bone structure is on show until 6 May 2019. Admission is free and you do not require a ticket to visit, although people are being asked to consider using public transport to get to Kelvingrove Museum and leave a little extra time to see Dippy, especially at weekends and during school holidays.

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, together with a supporting public and schools programme, to showcase the city’s natural history collection and stunning local natural habitats.

Dippy On Tour: Glasgow

22nd January 2019 - 6th May 2019

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum Argyle Street, Glasgow West End

Dippy, the Natural History Museum's iconic Diplodocus cast, is going on a natural history adventure across the UK, and will visit Glasgow between 22nd January - 6th May 2019!
Event information

For further information on Dippy on Tour and associated events, visit www.glasgowmuseums.com. #DippyOnTour

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