What Keeps Calling You Back To Kelvingrove (from Evening Times)

THE hanging fibreglass heads in the East Court at Kelvingrove are smiling at the news that the art gallery and museum is still Scotland's top tourist attraction.

Smiling, but not surprised.

Ever since it reopened in July 2006, after a £27million facelift, the museum has been inundated with visitors from home and abroad.

Within just over six months, two million people had made their way through the doors.

Now the venue, which first opened its doors to the public on 2 May 1901 as part of the Glasgow International Exhibition, has continued its success story.

For the second year in a row it has beaten Edinburgh Castle to the accolade of Scotland's top tourist attraction.

Last year it pulled in 2.23m visitors, with the castle drawing in 1.2m paying customers.

Everyone who calls in at Kelvingrove, whether it's for the first time or the hundredth, has his or her favourite exhibit.

For broadcaster Kirsty Wark it's Dali's painting, Christ of St John of the Cross.

Kirsty was first struck by it when she was a child, and her fascination continues to this day.

"I remember seeing the Dali and being very scared of it, by its scale and by its subject-matter," she told the Evening Times. "I thought it was something very strange. It was like nothing I had never seen before.

"From then on, I think that Kelvingrove has always been associated with that painting for me."

Liz Cameron, chairwoman of Culture and Sport Glasgow, says: "My favourite piece is Madonna and Child by Giovanni Bellini. It is very peaceful and calming."

Cars tycoon Sir Arnold Clark was also a child when he was first taken round Kelvingrove.

"I loved the elephants and all the ancient Egyptian artefacts," he says. "Then, from my 20s onwards, I always loved the art, especially the Scottish Colourists."

Over to you. What is your highlight at Kelvingrove? Is it the natural history collection, the artworks, the Spitfire, the Dali - or even those hanging heads?

Dali, Toshie or Sir Roger the Elephant, what's your top exhibit?
JAMES SMITH, 36, architect, City Centre: I am really interested in art but I think the Spitfire is great. This is the first time I have visited the museum since it has been refurbished and it is truly amazing.	EUGENE LAFFERTY, 29, and family from Garelochhead: The stuffed animals are our favourites.	LIZ WHITE, 66, retired, Hamilton: One of my favourite things is the organ recitals at 1pm every day. I try and come to Kelvingrove as often as I can.	JAMES CARMICHAEL, 65, retired, Cambuslang: I think the Charles Rennie Mackintosh stuff is great and I am really looking forward to seeing the Dali. It is a surprise to see the Spitfire here and the model of Elvis.

GEMMA RAMSAY, 15, student, East Kilbride:

The heads on the ground floor are really interesting. I like how they change colour, so they would be my favourite piece in Kelvingrove.

CHRIS LEITCH, 30, City Centre:

This is the first time that I have been to Kelvingrove since it was refurbished and it's great. The best thing I've seen so far has been the Spitfire.