Blairs Museum
A museum of Scotland's Catholic heritage, formerly in the old Blairs seminary near Aberdeen; it is currently closed while the collection moves to new premises.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
St Mary's College at Blairs was founded in 1829 as Scotland's national junior seminary for Roman Catholic boys preparing for the priesthood. It grew out of the earlier secret seminary at Scalan and stood on land near Aberdeen given to the Church by John Menzies of Pitfodels, who also gave his mansion. The college closed in 1986.
Over 157 years the college gathered an internationally important collection, built from gifts and from the former Scots Colleges in Europe. It includes paintings, church textiles, sacred silver and gold, and Jacobite relics. A full-length memorial portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots, painted as she appeared at her execution, is the best-known work, and the embroidered vestments cover more than 500 years.
After the college closed, an independent trust, established in 1992 as the Blairs Museum Trust, took charge of the collection and later became the Scottish Catholic Heritage Collections Trust. The museum was housed in part of the former college buildings on South Deeside Road. Its website now states that the museum is closed and moving to a new location, without naming the new place or a reopening date.
Highlights
- Memorial portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots
- Jacobite relics from the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie
- Embroidered church vestments spanning more than 500 years
- Sacred silver and gold from Britain and Europe
- Founded
- 1992
- Operated by
- Scottish Catholic Heritage Collections Trust
Admission & discounts
The museum is closed while it moves to new premises; no opening times or prices are published.
Accessibility
The museum is closed while it moves to new premises; no opening times or prices are published.
Kids & families
The museum is closed while it moves to new premises; no opening times or prices are published.
Getting there & parking
The museum is closed while it moves to new premises; no opening times or prices are published.
Amenities & dining
The museum is closed while it moves to new premises; no opening times or prices are published.
Events & venue rental
The museum is closed while it moves to new premises; no opening times or prices are published.
