Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Glasgow

Located at the University of Glasgow, this is Scotland's oldest public museum. It was founded in 1807 with funds left by Dr William Hunter in his will. Hunter was a physician, an anatomist and one of the leading obstetricians of his day. He was also a great book and coin collector, and his collections were bequeathed to the museum.

With over a million items, the museum is full of Roman artifacts from the Antonine Wall, items from Captain Cook’s Voyages of Discovery, meteorites and scientific instruments that once belonged to Lord Kelvin and James Watt. One section deals with early man and you will see several mummies and dinosaur fossils.

In “A Healing Passion” you will learn about the history of Glasgow medicine and see anatomical instruments from Hunters teaching collection. His coin collection is reputed to be one of the most extensive in the world: he bought several collections from other collectors, including those of Horace Walpole and Thomas Crofts. Even King George III gave an Athenian gold coin.

There are many interactive displays and the museum is an educational experience for children and adults alike. The library has a collection of over 600 manuscripts and over 1000 books. The oldest manuscript is “Homilies of Saint Basil” and was written in 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.