A Jacobean university building houses one of Scotland’s distinctive historic zoology teaching collections.
Quick facts
- Date
- Built 1909–1911
- Architect / designer
- Gillespie and Scott
- Type
- Jacobean university museum and teaching building
- Designation
- Listed building, Category C (LB40693)
- OS grid reference
- NO 51012 16448
Architecture and continuing use
An approximately symmetrical rubble front centres on superimposed Doric and Ionic columns, combining institutional order with Jacobean detail.
Its story
Gillespie and Scott designed the building in 1909–1911. The museum preserves specimens assembled for university teaching and opens to the public at advertised times.
Why it is included
Architecture and collection together illuminate the development of science teaching at St Andrews.
What to notice
- Superimposed classical columns at the centre.
- Snecked rubble walling.
- The later northeast extension.
Reading the surroundings
Public opening is limited, including advertised university and school-holiday periods. Check the museum page before travel.
Timeline
- Built 1909–1911 Gillespie and Scott designed the building in 1909–1911. The museum preserves specimens assembled for university teaching and opens to the public at advertised times.
- Present University zoology museum, teaching collection and public gallery.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
Public hours are intermittent and teaching use takes priority.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Bell Pettigrew Museum, LB40693 — Designation category, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural interest.
- University of St Andrews: Bell Pettigrew Museum — Current museum role, public opening, location and visitor arrangements.
Location
OS grid reference NO 51012 16448 · Location confidence: High: the HES designation provides an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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