The Extensive Hunterian Museum
The Hunterian Museum is widely noted for being Scotland’s oldest public museum. Named for William Hunter, a teacher, anatomist and collector from the 1700s, the museum showcases a variety of interesting aspects of Scottish history as well as art, zoology and anatomy. The Museum’s legacy started in 1783 when William Hunter passed away and bequeathed his rather substantial collection to the University of Glasgow. Along with his collection, he also donated 8000 pounds for the construction of a suitable museum building. Before long a new museum building was completed and the museum was opened to the public in 1807 – thus making it the country’s oldest museum. However, William Hunter left behind far more than a few pieces of historic worth.
Today visitors will readily discover just why the Hunterian is rated as one of the top five museums in the Country. From its original single building the museum has developed into a four building museum complex with each building housing a different aspect of the museum’s priceless treasures. The scale, range and importance of the collections housed in the museum have gained it international acclaim. The Hunterian explores many different facets of our earth’s history – from how the earth might have been formed to the Roman patrolling of the Antonine Wall. It documents different facets of the ancient Egyptian civilization and looks at Scotland’s first Dinosaur footprint. It also features one of the world’s largest coin collections. There is simply so much to see that you will need more than a day to examine these exhibitions.
So whether you are interested in the amazing art collections in the Huntarian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House, or you prefer to take a walk on the wild side at the Zoology Museum, start making your plans to visit this excellent museum. A visit to the anatomy museum is a truly eye-opening experience for many while the actual Huntarian Museum lacks nothing in terms of appeal, scope and volume. Access to this excellent Scottish facility is free and it is open from Monday to Saturday during working hours. So visit today and make the most of this outstanding national treasure.