University of Glasgow Main Building, Glasgow

Visit duration: 1 hour Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About University of Glasgow Main Building

The Main Building of the University of Glasgow stands on Gilmorehill in the West End, where the university moved in 1870. It was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott in the Gothic Revival style and is the second-largest example of that style in Britain, after the Palace of Westminster. In 1879 his son Oldrid added an open undercroft forming two quadrangles, with the grand Bute Hall above, used for examinations and graduations, and in 1887 a spire on the bell tower, bringing it to about 85 metres.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The Main Building houses the university's Hunterian Museum. Behind its Bishopbriggs blond sandstone cladding and Gothic exterior, Scott's building is structured on what was then a cutting-edge riveted iron frame supporting a lightweight wooden-beam roof. Its spire is a major landmark of the city that can be seen from miles around, and an illustration of the building once featured on the reverse of £100 notes issued by Clydesdale Bank.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source