Hunterian Museum
At the heart of the University of Glasgow since 1807
The Hunterian Museum is a stunning space filled with collections that explore the development of knowledge and understanding and the relationship between Glasgow, Scotland and the rest of the world.
Plan Your Visit
What's On Display?
You can see a number of highlights in the Hunterian Museum including the Bearsden Shark, Cleopatra Coin and Chinese Map of the World.
The Antonine Wall displays tell the story of Roman settlement in Scotland and the gems, fossils and dinosaurs reveal the very history of the earth.
The history of medicine in the west of Scotland and Lord Kelvin’s scientific instruments feature in the displays about scientific innovation in Glasgow.
The Curating Discomfort intervention highlights the ways in which our collections and displays are inextricably linked to the history of colonialism and empire and the foregrounding of a Western account of the world.
Find out more about our exhibitions and events in our What's On section, or discover the range and scale of our collections.
Book a group visit, take a student-led tour, try our Creative Corner or pick up a copy of our family trail.
Opening Times and Prices
Free entry
Open Tuesday–Sunday
10am–5pm
Check our Notices page for temporary closures and public holiday opening hours.
Getting Here
The Hunterian
The Hunterian is part of the University of Glasgow. Our Museums, Art Gallery and the Mackintosh House are located on the Gilmorehill campus, 3km west of Glasgow city centre.
Hunterian Museum
The Hunterian Museum is located in the main Gilbert Scott building.
By Subway
Hillhead Subway station or Kelvinbridge Subway station.
By Bus
4 and 4A from the city centre to University Avenue.
By Car
The University is signposted locally. Car parking in the surrounding area is limited. Park and Ride is available at Kelvinbridge Subway station. Parking on campus is for permit holders only on weekdays. Free parking after 5pm and at weekends. Enter the main University campus via University Avenue at Pearce Lodge.
Blue Badge Parking
Visitors who hold a valid Blue Badge can park on the campus at no cost. However, they must register and apply for a Blue Badge Visitor Permit. Please select ‘Gimorehill – Blue Badge Visitor’.
By Bike
Bike parking is available on campus.
Access
The Museum is accessible via lift.
The balcony area of the museum has lift access that requires staff assistance to operate.
The Hunterian Museum has accessible toilets with baby change facilities.
AccessAble guide for Hunterian Museum.
Enhance your visit with our digital guide on Bloomberg Connects.
Pre-visit Visual Storybook
'What to Expect at The Hunterian' is our pre-visit storybook for neurodivergent visitors or anyone who may find a visual reference helpful in advance of visiting somewhere new.
What to expect at the Hunterian Museum
It was developed using the 'social story' format and includes important information about visiting the Hunterian Museum - such as how to enter the museum, sensory information and what visitors will see during their visit.
If you have any feedback about this resource, please email hunterian-learning@glasgow.ac.uk.
Resoures for Neurodivergent visitors
Sensory Bag - For young neurodivergent visitors there are sensory bags available on request at the Hunterian Museum. Contents: Small ear defenders; fidget toy; storybooks (or reference book on request); 'What to expect at the Hunterian Museum ' booklet; magnifying glass; 'I Want' sheet; PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) cards using museum images, for visual planning.
Wee calm space - a wheelchair accessible play tent with soft toys and small world play figures.
Seating
There is ample cushioned bench seating (no arm rests) in the Main Hall of the museum.
Portable stools and children's portable steps are available for visitors to use throughout the museum.
History
The Hunterian is Scotland's oldest museum. It opened in 1807 following Dr William Hunter's bequest of his substantial collections to the University of Glasgow.
The first Hunterian Museum was located near Glasgow Cathedral on the University of Glasgow’s first site. When the University moved to its present location in 1870, The Hunterian collections were relocated to the Gilbert Scott building, where the Hunterian Museum remains today.
The whole collection was originally displayed together, but eventually some sections were moved to other parts of the University.
The zoology collections are now housed in the Hunterian Zoology Museum, the art collections in the Hunterian Art Gallery and the books and manuscripts in the University Library.
Other Venues
The Hunterian has a range of venues to explore on the University of Glasgow campus and beyond.