Museums of the University of St Andrews

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Museums of the University of St Andrews Wardlaw Museum and Bell Pettigrew Museum. Re-imagining university museums, through curiosity and conversation.

It’s Raisin Monday – are you ready for the foam fight?One of St Andrews’ biggest traditions, Raisin Weekend takes its na...
19/10/2026

It’s Raisin Monday – are you ready for the foam fight?

One of St Andrews’ biggest traditions, Raisin Weekend takes its name from the days when academic children gave their academic parents a pound of raisins as a thank you for welcoming them to the town.

In return, they received a Raisin Receipt, written in Latin and often presented on something slightly less traditional – from road signs and boat sails to, apparently, a bath tub.

These days, Raisin Monday sees first years don homemade costumes and descend on Lower College Lawn for one of the University’s most memorable traditions: the legendary foam fight.

And thanks to the University archives, we can look back at generations of freshers who came before them.

Recognise any faces? Better still… can you spot yourself?

See you on the Lawn!

[A series of images showing freshers in homemade costumes or covered in foam.]

The Bell Pettigrew Museum is open to the public!Come along between 1pm and 5pm on weekdays until Friday 23 October to st...
12/10/2026

The Bell Pettigrew Museum is open to the public!

Come along between 1pm and 5pm on weekdays until Friday 23 October to step into the animal world, test your creative skills with Natural History-themed crafts, and find your favourite specimens!

Want to see the Bell Pettigrew under a different light? Join and for the Bell Pettigrew Sessions this Thursday at 7pm. No booking required, just come along!

How can video essays animate an archive?To find out, pop in to our new Research Studio Residency 'Ways of Undoing presen...
07/10/2026

How can video essays animate an archive?

To find out, pop in to our new Research Studio Residency 'Ways of Undoing presents: video essays in the archive'.

The space features work created by 19 video essayists from around the world, inspired by the University of St Andrews’ Collections and printmaking at Dundee Contemporary Arts.

Open until 29 October.

[some objects and photographs in a case; comment cards and a white glove hanging on a grid against a white wall.]

"... and really see me as I have always existed, flyly."Blue of Nothingness.Sekai Machache's Divine Sky. Opens 10 Octobe...
04/10/2026

"... and really see me as I have always existed, flyly."

Blue of Nothingness.

Sekai Machache's Divine Sky. Opens 10 October 2026 at the Wardlaw Museum.

Image © Sekai Machache, Blue of Nothingness (2024, Cape Town, South Africa)

Going for Gold. Actually, we’ve got it.The Wardlaw Museum has achieved Gold status in the Green Tourism Business Scheme ...
01/10/2026

Going for Gold. Actually, we’ve got it.

The Wardlaw Museum has achieved Gold status in the Green Tourism Business Scheme – the highest level of recognition for sustainability and responsible tourism.

With an overall score of 86%, we achieved more than 80% in 14 of the 15 assessment categories, including a rather lovely 100% for health and wellbeing.

Over the past year, we’ve reduced the waste from an average temporary exhibition from the equivalent of a skip to around a single bin bag.

From solar panels and a ground-source heat pump to sustainable retail choices and exhibitions exploring biodiversity and our environment, we’re working to make sustainability part of everything we do.

It’s brilliant recognition for our team, our Green Champion Ana, and colleagues across the University who continue to find practical ways to reduce our impact.

We'll tell you more about it in the coming weeks but in the meantime, we think gold looks pretty good on us!

[An image of the front of the museum and the Gold Tourism award graphic]

Those who have gone before, those soon to return.Light Divine Sky.Sekai Machache's Divine Sky. Opens 10 October 2026 at ...
30/09/2026

Those who have gone before, those soon to return.

Light Divine Sky.

Sekai Machache's Divine Sky. Opens 10 October 2026 at the Wardlaw Museum.

Image © Sekai Machache, Light Divine Sky II (2021, Flow Country, Caithness and Sutherland)

To the chosen family, to the ancestors.A Hint of Blue.Sekai Machache's Divine Sky. Opens 10 October 2026 at the Wardlaw ...
28/09/2026

To the chosen family, to the ancestors.

A Hint of Blue.

Sekai Machache's Divine Sky. Opens 10 October 2026 at the Wardlaw Museum.

Image © Sekai Machache, A Hint of Blue (2021, Glasgow)

We love visitor reviews!JJAR Baker visited us in September and left this lovely comment. Thank you!Have you visited the ...
27/09/2026

We love visitor reviews!

JJAR Baker visited us in September and left this lovely comment. Thank you!

Have you visited the Wardlaw Museum recently? We’d love to hear what you thought. And if there’s something you think we could do even better, we’re always happy to hear that too.

After all, the best recommendations come from the people who’ve actually been through the door.

[An image of a phone showing two visitors leaving the Wardlaw Museum, a 5*review is in a speech bubble beside it.]

Address

7A The Scores
St Andrews
KY169AR

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

01334 461660

Website

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