Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Glasgow

Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Glasgow

Situated within the University of Glasgow, this institution holds the distinction of being Scotland's oldest public museum. Its establishment dates back to 1807 when Dr. William Hunter, a prominent physician, anatomist, and leading obstetrician of his era, bequeathed funds for its creation in his will. Dr. Hunter's diverse interests extended to book and coin collecting, and upon his passing, he generously donated his extensive collections to the museum.

The museum boasts a vast collection comprising more than a million items. Notable highlights include Roman artifacts originating from the Antonine Wall, artifacts from Captain Cook's Voyages of Discovery, meteorites, and scientific instruments once owned by renowned figures like Lord Kelvin and James Watt. An entire section is dedicated to the study of early humanity, featuring several mummies and dinosaur fossils.

The exhibit titled "A Healing Passion" delves into the history of medicine in Glasgow and showcases anatomical instruments from Dr. Hunter's teaching collection. His coin collection is renowned as one of the most comprehensive worldwide, as he acquired various collections from fellow enthusiasts, including Horace Walpole and Thomas Crofts. Interestingly, even King George III contributed an Athenian gold coin to the collection.

The museum offers numerous interactive displays, making it an engaging educational experience suitable for both children and adults. Additionally, the library houses an impressive collection of over 600 manuscripts and more than 1000 books, with the oldest manuscript being "Homilies of Saint Basil," penned in the year 859.

Why You Should Visit:
Eclectic but well presented, with room to accommodate a lot of people without feeling crowded. The dramatic setting and design of the interior are breathtaking.

Tip:
Allow a good amount of time – there is a lot to see and the area is good for a stroll. Try and go on a sunny day to get the best pictures.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Glasgow. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery on Map

Sight Name: Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery
Sight Location: Glasgow, Scotland (See walking tours in Glasgow)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Glasgow, Scotland

Create Your Own Walk in Glasgow

Create Your Own Walk in Glasgow

Creating your own self-guided walk in Glasgow is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches

Historical Churches

The feeling of serenity and being free from stress and worries is quite precious these days. And where better to find this than inside a church? Glasgow is home to a number of great churches that are notable for their architectural design, mostly in the Gothic style.

One of the city's most iconic ecclesiastical landmarks and a stunning example of Gothic architecture is Saint Mungo's...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Glasgow Music Spots Walking Tour

Glasgow Music Spots Walking Tour

For decades, Glasgow has been renowned as a stomping ground for both young and seasoned music bands. The variety of spots – from snug, unpretentious cubbyholes catering for small intimate gigs to huge arenas hosting the biggest names in business – are as an integral part of Glasgow's evolutionizing music scene as its musicians. And while Glaswegian accents have dominated international...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Glasgow West End Walking Tour

Glasgow West End Walking Tour

Glasgow is a home to a great number of historic, cultural and architectural landmarks, the lion's share of which are found in the West End. The adjectives applicable to this part of Glasgow speak volumes: cosmopolitan, multi-cultured, bohemian, intellectual, grand, leafy, confident, tolerant, and trendy. Indeed all of them are true, especially given that inside the area there are several...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Glasgow Introduction Walking Tour

Glasgow Introduction Walking Tour

The largest city and seaport in Scotland, Glasgow is also one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Famed for its 19th-century Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, numerous musical events, football matches, traditional pubs, and food venues, this place is truly unique.

The area of Glasgow in Scotland's western Lowlands has been inhabited for millennia, with the River...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles