Residents from Dumbarton and the Vale will now be able to go and see Dippy the diplodocus for the first time in Scotland after the model dinosaur skeleton was unveiled in Glasgow.

The Natural History Museum's (NHM) replica is on show at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum as it approaches the halfway point of its three-year tour of the UK.

Members of the public will be able to view the 70ft (21.3 metre) long Jurassic giant at the only Scottish stop of the tour until May 5, 2019.

Councillor David McDonald, chair of Glasgow Life, said: "Dippy has arrived. There is a wonderful sense of excitement surrounding the biggest thing to arrive at Kelvingrove Museum - quite literally - this year.

"Like thousands of other visitors, I can't wait to see this impressive creature up close. I believe that seeing Dippy first-hand is certain to inspire the next generation of conservationists and to encourage families to explore nature on their doorstep."

The diplodocus carnegii is named after Scots-born industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, who funded the Renaissance-style rusticated building of Dumbarton Public Library in Strathleven Place.

The replica was commissioned by Carnegie and is a replica of his original specimen in the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, which lived between 145 and 156 million years ago.

Dippy was on display in the NHM for 112 years until January 2017 and, before the tour, the dinosaur had never been on public display outside of London.

After being on show in Belfast, the model travelled to Scotland by ferry in 16 bespoke crates.

Experts have since been working to unpack the 292-bone structure and undertake the giant "jigsaw" of putting the dinosaur back together, ready for display.

Sir Michael Dixon, NHM director said: "We are thrilled that Dippy has once again made it safely across the Irish sea and has now arrived at Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow.

"This marks the fourth stop of Dippy on tour - a journey that has so far seen record visitor numbers at the three previous venues.

"Dippy has acted as an ambassador for the natural world inspiring thousands of children to explore nature on their doorstep. We are sure his impact will be just as powerful in Scotland and hope visitors are as excited to see him as we are for him to be here."

Admission is free and unticketed, although visitors are being asked to leave extra time to see Dippy during weekends and school holidays.