20 September 2025 (10:00 - 16:00)
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow will be opening our doors to visitors to explore our beautiful rooms and learn about the history of medicine and surgery in Glasgow.
There’ll be the chance to see our exhibition on Glasgow super-surgeon, William MacEwen, and our pop-up display celebrating 425 years of the College’s foundation.
JJ Audubon’s Birds of America will also be on display.
There will be activities taking place throughout the building including a make your own “brain hat” for kids (young and old!) and a craft workshop learning about the structure of the brain. Suitable for ages 8-12 years old.
And there will be a screening of a documentary about William MacEwen.
Overview
Our College was founded in 1599 with the grant of a charter from King James VI of Scotland to surgeon, Peter Lowe. The charter established a body to examine all professing the art of surgery in Glasgow and South West Scotland.
The College remains the only multidisciplinary Royal College in the UK and we have been supporting our members for over 425 years by setting the highest possible standards of health care.
Since its foundation, the College has held residence at several buildings throughout the city centre – we moved to our current building on St Vincent Street in 1862.
The College occupies a row of 19th century mansion houses, the earliest dating from 1820 was one of the very first to be built in the Blythswood area of Glasgow. The College was extended in the 1890s to create a large hall to the rear which was designed by renowned architect John James Burnet.
The College houses lecturer theatres, libraries, and formal rooms. There is also an exhibition space showcasing our historic library, museum, archive and art collections.
Our 19th century buildings were all originally built as residential dwellings but are now a bustling centre for medical education and an accredited museum.
This reflects the changing dynamics of the city over the decades and how buildings were adapted to accommodate the cities expansion. Many of the original features of the residential homes still exist but are now combined with the practical needs of a centre for medical education.
A hearing loop is only available in the lecture theatres.
Water bottles can be refilled, quiet space available upon request.
The building is fully accessible to wheelchair users but lifts maybe too small for large mobility scooters.

Address
232-242 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G25RJ