Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons of Glasgow
The College is one of Glasgow's historic sites with a fascinating museum collection telling the story of the College, of its place in the city of Glasgow, and of Scottish medical history.
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow was founded in 1599 by surgeon Peter Lowe, with the aim of improving the standards of medical and surgical care in Glasgow and the west of Scotland.
At this time, there were no established medical degrees in the UK, and surgery was taught by apprenticeship. Healthcare was delivered by a very wide range of practitioners, from elite physicians treating the wealthy, to barber-surgeons performing basic operations on the poor.
The College was granted a Charter from King James VI of Scotland in 1599 to introduce regulation, examinations and standards into this unpredictable and dangerous medical landscape.
The College moved to its premises on St Vincent Street in 1862. The building has evolved and expanded considerably since then, with the construction of a beautiful library, and an extension to accommodate College Hall designed by J.J. Burnett in the 1890s. Both rooms have been preserved, and serve as a strong connection to Victorian Glasgow.
In the 20th century the College building was adapted and modernised to accommodate its role in postgraduate medical education, with the development of the Maurice Bloch Lecture Theatre. The most recent refurbishment in 2016 included the new Macewen Clinical Skills Suite, and the Davies E-Learning Centre.
The collection of unique rooms and function suites available for corporate events, formal functions, private dining, conferences & meetings, and weddings. The unique setting of the College offers an alternative venue, in the city centre of Glasgow.
The College rooms are available to hire via 1599 at the Royal College. For more information please contact: [email protected] or visit www.1599.co.uk.
The refurbishment included a significant improvement to heritage display spaces. The College is one of Glasgow's historic sites with a fascinating museum collection telling the story of the College, of its place in the city of Glasgow, and of Scottish medical history.
The museum collection includes medical instruments and equipment used by some of the most famous people associated with the College, including Joseph Lister, David Livingstone and William Macewen. These sit alongside a varied and often gruesome collection of surgical and dental instruments which help to show the progression and innovation made in surgical procedures from the 18th century onwards.
The College is open to visitors from 14.00-17.00 every Monday afternoon and on open days - 15 October, 5 November, and 17 December 2018. Visitors are welcome to get in touch and arrange a bespoke visit or a tour, by emailing [email protected] https://heritage.rcpsg.ac.uk/.