Wardlaw Museum

About the museum

The Wardlaw Museum is the public museum of the University of St Andrews, Scotland's oldest university, which was confirmed by a papal bull in 1413. It opened in 2008, with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Museums Galleries Scotland, to show the university's collections to visitors. The university holds more than 115,000 objects, and three of its collections are recognised as nationally significant: the Heritage Collection, the Collection of Historic Scientific Instruments and the Chemistry Collection.

The museum stands on The Scores, the road along the sea front, and has since been extended. It has space for temporary exhibitions, a research studio, a shop, a Learning Loft for workshops and a viewing terrace and garden with views over the sea. The museum is on the Fife Coastal Path.

Four galleries tell the story of the university and its influence. Scotland's First University looks at the founding of the university, its student life and traditions. Enquiring Minds shows how models, instruments and specimens have been used to study the world, including microscope slides and butterflies. Reformers and Innovators follows discoveries and ideas such as photography, LEDs and the Reformation. Expanding Horizons presents objects collected from around the world, including specimens from deep-sea research of the 1870s and lunar rock samples sent by NASA in the 1970s.

Highlights

• Four galleries on the history and research of Scotland's first university
• Medieval university maces and a Raisin Weekend costume
• Microscope slides and butterflies
• Lunar rock samples sent by NASA in the 1970s
• Viewing terrace and garden with a sea view
• Free entry

Permanent exhibition

• The four permanent galleries – Four galleries cover the history and research of the University of St Andrews, from its foundation in 1413 to its global discoveries.

Founded

2008

Operated by

University of St Andrews

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

There is one accessible parking space. Audio descriptions of selected objects are available in English in the free Bloomberg Connects guide, with transcripts in over 50 languages. A pre-visit tour on the guide helps visitors to prepare. Quiet openings and a quiet space in the Learning Loft are offered for a relaxed visit. Visitors with questions about access can email the museum before they come.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Baby changing is available on the ground floor. The museum offers interactive experiences for all ages, and the Learning Loft hosts workshops.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the Fife Coastal Path. What3words: universe.pastime.waged.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The shop sells gifts, books, household items, stationery, toys and University merchandise, and has an online shop. The Learning Loft can be used to eat a packed lunch when it is not booked for events. There is a bicycle rack in the garden.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 140 guests.

The museum can hold drinks receptions, special events and small weddings for up to 140 people. The Learning Loft takes up to 40 people for talks and workshops, and individual galleries up to 40 people.

Plan your visit