This gallery, originally called The Albert Hall, was a public meeting space before housing Dundee’s reference library. Look at the magnificent wooden coffered roof, which reflects the City’s proud history in shipbuilding. Look back to the entrance to this gallery, the stenciling on the left of the door gives you an idea of the room’s original decorative scheme. The building’s architect, George Gilbert Scott, said he designed the Albert Hall: ‘not as a picture gallery, but a great hall, which will serve alike for public meetings, concerts and lectures’. With this in mind, the original painted decoration was designed to complement the magnificent architecture. Today, this gallery displays objects from around the world, which were brought back from the many cultures Dundonians encountered on their travels. The objects you see here amazed people in Scotland, at a time when very few people traveled abroad. These rare items were brought to Scotland by all sorts of people who did travel…merchants, members of the military, missionaries, and those who were involved in Dundee’s Maritime industry. On the walls of the Dundee and the World gallery you’ll discover a fine collection of European paintings. These are some of the earliest artworks to enter the museum’s collection. Make sure to also look at the magnificent stained glass windows, which were paid for by Sir William Ogilvy Dalgleish. He had taken an early interest in the museum and was involved in its creation. An art lover and philanthropist, it was his idea to install an electric generator here in 1889. As a result, the Victoria Galleries became the first galleries in Scotland to be illuminated with electric lighting. To listen to the next stop on the tour, find the Inuit case, which includes a large kayak.