Hunterian Collections
The Hunterian is one of the world’s leading university museums and one of Scotland’s most important cultural assets. At Kelvin Hall, you can access The Hunterian collections through our programme of tours and events.
The Hunterian
The Hunterian opened its doors in 1807 making it Scotland's oldest public museum and art gallery. Our public galleries are located on the main University campus. Each year our displays, exhibitions and public programme attract visitors from around the world.
The Hunterian supports the University of Glasgow in delivering world changing research, raising its international profile and providing a unique and enriching student experience. Through our collections we can provide both a stimulating learning environment and excellent visitor experience.
Our Collections
The Hunterian at the University of Glasgow is home to one of the finest university collections in the world. For over 200 years we have collected across many disciplines for research, teaching and learning. The original collection was bequeathed by Dr William Hunter in 1783. Since then it has grown substantially . Today The Hunterian collections now encompass over 1.5 million objects.
The collections today include:
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scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin
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outstanding Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall
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major natural and life sciences holdings
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Hunter's own extensive anatomical teaching collection; one of the world's greatest numismatic collections
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impressive ethnographic objects from Captain Cook's Pacific voyages
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a major art collection
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the world's largest permanent display of the work of James McNeill Whistler
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the largest single holding of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh
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The Mackintosh House, the reassembled interiors from his Glasgow home.
The Hunterian on Campus
The Hunterian Museum features stunning displays of archaeology, palaeontology, geology, zoology, entomology, ethnography and numismatics. There are also permanent galleries dedicated to Roman material from the Antonine Wall, the history of medicine in the west of Scotland and Lord Kelvin's scientific instruments.
The Hunterian Art Gallery boasts one of the most distinguished public art collections in Scotland. Works on display range from Whistler, Rubens and Rembrandt to the Glasgow Boys and Scottish Colourists. It also features The Mackintosh House, one of Glasgow's most popular visitor attractions.
Venue
University of Glasgow at Kelvin Hall
1445 Argyle St
Glasgow G3 8AW
Scotland
Open Hours
- Monday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
- Tuesday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
- Wednesday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
- Thursday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
- Friday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
- Saturday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
- Sunday: Contact 0141 276 1450, option 2 for access information
Access Info
- Entry: Free
- Wheelchair access: Yes
- Disabled toilet facilities: Yes
