V&A Dundee museum welcomes its one millionth visitor

The V&A Dundee has welcomed its one millionth visitor, less than 18 months after it opened.

Nalani Becker, seven, from Berlin arrived at the museum at 11.04am on Tuesday with her father Jan while her mother was working at the University of Dundee.

The design museum opened on September 15, 2018 and welcomed more than 830,000 visitors in its first year, far exceeding the estimate of 500,000.

To mark the moment, Nalani and her father were presented with a gift bag that included Hello, Robot exhibition tickets, afternoon tea in Tatha Bar and Kitchen and a £100 voucher to spend in the museum shop.

Philip Long, director of V&A Dundee, said: “I am thrilled that today we have welcomed our one millionth visitor, just over 500 days after opening the doors of Scotland’s first design museum.

“We have a hugely exciting year ahead, with the last chance to see our UK-exclusive exhibition Hello, Robot this weekend and our first major fashion exhibition Mary Quant opening in April.

“I would like to thank everyone who has helped to create V&A Dundee and who continues to support its incredible success.”

Recent research found the V&A Dundee had a £75m economic impact across Scotland in its first year after opening.

Dundee City Council leader John Alexander said: “This is another tremendous achievement for V&A Dundee and the city.

“Our stunning museum is now very firmly part of the cultural fabric of Dundee, with its design galleries and exhibition programme attracting locals and visitors alike.

“It has raised Dundee’s international profile and played a key part in securing record-breaking tourism figures.

“V&A Dundee is helping to create jobs and new economic opportunities for the city.”

V&A Dundee was developed with support from the Scottish Government, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Dundee City Council, the UK Government, Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, University of Dundee, Abertay University and many trusts, companies and private donors.