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.
Staring X-Factor winner and legend Sam Bailey and Strictly Come Dancing royalty Kevin Clifton, Everybody's Talking About Jamie comes to the King's Theatre Glasgow in May!
READ MORECreative Oceanic powered by Oceanic Awards is proud to announce the 7th Scottish Hospitality Awards 2024.
READ MOREScotland's first listening bar opens this weekend with a programme of impressive global DJs and exceptional sound quality set to soundtrack Glasgow.
READ MOREElaine C. Smith will play the role of The Childcatcher in the new production of the most fantasmagorical musical of all time, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, when it comes to Glasgow's King's Theatre!
READ MOREHistoric Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREGlasgow gourmands, the wait is over! After shaking up the street food scene in the Scottish capital, Ozen is now bringing its Eastern fusion flavours westside and launching in Glasgow!
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MOREThere will be no Aye Write book festival this year after its application for funding was rejected by Creative Scotland.
READ MOREBuchanan Galleries, together with Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, has donated 500 chocolate Easter Eggs for children in hospital to enjoy.
READ MOREAn independent evaluation published by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has highlighted significant, wide-ranging benefits delivered by the Go Cycle Glasgow Fund.
READ MOREVEGA, Glasgow's sky-high bar and restaurant, has unveiled a jam-packed new weekly music programme to welcome those sunny spring nights!
READ MOREMulti-platinum selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor, Matt Cardle, will play the role of Shakespeare in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of & Juliet.
READ MOREThe King's Theatre, Glasgow have announced additional dates for this year's high-flying pantomime adventure, Peter Pan.
READ MORECarmunnock Heritage Trail launches this Easter weekend. It's a unique, free, multi-media tour with 16 QR coded video stops around Glasgow's last remaining village.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREGP Racing Simulators will incorporate 10 professional grade racing simulators, each equipped with a racing seat, steering wheel, pedals and a 43" monitor, alongside a licensed bar and dining complex.
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MORELeadership specialist Gavin Bryce announces the launch of the second Unmasking Leaders Workshop of 2024 on Thursday 11th April in Glasgow returns by demand.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREScotland's inaugural Polestar Showroom officially opened at leading retail and leisure destination Silverburn on Friday 22nd March.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREGlasgow Film Festival (GFF) 2024 wrapped up on Sunday 10 March by celebrating a bumper year of ticket sales and local and international talent.
READ MORESix by Nico's upcoming menu promises to take guests on a quintessential New York gastronomic excursion.
READ MOREFrom an Easter Egg-stravaganza on Easter Sunday to high-tech golf games suitable for all the family, Topgolf Glasgow is a must-visit destination during the half-term break.
READ MOREStrathclyde University were crowned winners of Scotland’s largest student varsity sporting competition, the Glasgow Taxis Cup, after edging out city rivals Glasgow and Glasgow Caledonian.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREAward-winning performance Pain and I by Sarah Hopfinger, about living with chronic pain, and moving with care, returns to tour Scotland.
READ MOREMore than fifty of Glasgow's leading restaurants and cafes have revealed their exclusive menus to mark the countdown to Glasgow Restaurant Week!
READ MOREGo Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"