The first-ever dedicated design museum in Scotland and the only other V&A museum anywhere in the world outside London, V&A Dundee opens its doors for the first time to the public on Saturday 15 September 2018.

On the outside, its complex geometry, inspired by the dramatic cliffs along the north-east coast of Scotland, stretches out over the River Tay. Inside, its beautiful, light-filled interiors tell a global story, investigating the international importance of design as well as presenting Scotland’s outstanding design achievements.

[quote=Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee]“The opening of V&A Dundee is a historic occasion for Dundee and for the very many who played a vital part and supported its realisation.”[/quote]

It's thanks to £19.1million of National Lottery funding, including £14.1m from HLF and £5m from Creative Scotland, that this incredible building has taken shape. Designed by internationally acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, V&A Dundee stands at the centre of the £1billion transformation of the Dundee waterfront and took three and half years to build and fit-out.

The landmark museum is set to become a place of inspiration, discovery and learning for visitors from across the globe. They can explore:

• The Scottish Design Galleries - featuring 300 exhibits drawn from the V&A’s rich collections as well as from collections across the world
• Charles Rennie Mackintosh Oak Room - meticulously restored, conserved and reconstructed after it was lost to view for nearly 50 years
• Ocean Liners: Speed and Style - the first exhibition to explore the design and cultural impact of the ocean liner on an international scale

Sir Peter Luff, Chair of HLF, said: “For a small country, Scotland has an incredibly rich design heritage with creativity, innovations and inventions that have changed lives across the world. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery, V&A Dundee is a spectacular, world-class museum which is a beacon for those incredible achievements and an inspiration for the future of design.”

Kengo Kuma, architect of V&A Dundee, said: "I hope the museum can change the city and become its centre of gravity. I am delighted and proud that this is my first building in the UK and that people will visit it from around the world.”

Philip Long, Director of V&A Dundee, said: “The opening of V&A Dundee is a historic occasion for Dundee and for the very many who played a vital part and supported its realisation. Thanks to National Lottery players, HLF has supported the construction of the museum, public engagement and the development of displays which tell the story of Scotland's design heritage - including Mackintosh's remarkable Oak Room. We are very excited that we can now welcome everyone into the new museum.”

V&A Dundee is free to enter and open daily from 10.00 to 17.00.