Museum will be main 2018 attraction

Dundee’s V&A museum will play a major role in bringing more visitors to Scotland when it opens next year, according to the country’s main tourism body.

VisitScotland said the opening of the £80.1 million museum in the second half of 2018 will take a starring place in its domestic and international advertising campaigns.

Jim Clarkson, VisitScotland’s regional partnerships director said the museum, which will host touring exhibitions and tell the story of design in Scotland, will help promote other attractions in the east of Scotland.

Mr Clarkson said: “The opening of V&A Dundee represents an unmissable opportunity to raise awareness of the many fantastic things to see and do in the east of Scotland.

“Such a highly-regarded attraction has the potential to transform local tourism and will undoubtedly draw visitors from far and wide.

“With prestigious publications such as The Wall Street Journal naming Dundee as a must-visit destination in 2018, there is a real sense of excitement and anticipation in the region.”

Mr Clarkson added: “VisitScotland has increased its promotion of Dundee and the surrounding areas of Angus, Fife and Perthshire in its international marketing and media activity.”

Around 350,000 people a year are expected to visit the waterfront museum.