More than 27,000 visit V&A Dundee in its first week

Scotland’s new museum of design welcomed more than 27,000 in its first week since opening.

The V&A Dundee had 27,201 people visit between 10am on Saturday 15, and 5pm on Friday 21 September.

The 3D Festival, a two-day event which took place in Slessor Gardens on the Dundee waterfront to celebrate the opening of V&A Dundee, also attracted huge crowds.

On the eve of the museum’s official opening 10,000 people gathered to enjoy headliners Primal Scream and a special light and sound installation. On Saturday 15 September, the 3D Festival continued and was attended by 12,600 people.

Philip Long, director of V&A Dundee, said: ‘V&A Dundee officially opened its doors last Saturday and since then more than 27,000 people have explored this wonderful building and its fantastic galleries.

A pair of early visitors to the V&A Dundee

‘Kengo Kuma, the architect who designed V&A Dundee, wanted the museum to become a new living room for the city and it’s been a joy to watch people from Dundee and further afield make themselves at home.

‘As well as museum visitors, we have also celebrated the opening of V&A Dundee with the 22,600 people who joined us for the 3D Festival.

‘It’s been a very busy week, and I’d like to thank everybody who has helped us celebrate this historic moment and all those who came to V&A Dundee during our opening week. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming even more visitors to the museum.’

On the opening day, Friday, 14 September, 2155 people were welcomed into the museum for a special ‘sneak peek’ tour on the eve of the official opening, including school children, teachers, those who had taken part in V&A Dundee pre-opening learning projects and members of local community groups.

Visitors are taking plenty of photos of themselves visiting the V&A Dundee

Two press preview days held in the lead up to the museum opening were attended by around 300 journalists, bloggers and vloggers from across the world.

Within the first 12 months of opening, it is forecast V&A Dundee will welcome around 500,000 visitors. After the first 12 months it is forecast the new museum will attract around 350,000 visitors annually.

V&A Dundee is free to enter and open daily from 10am-5pm.