Blairs College facts for kids
St Mary's College, Blairs, often called Blairs College, is a historic place near Aberdeen in Scotland. From 1829 to 1986, it was a special school, known as a seminary, for boys and young men. They went there to study and prepare to become Roman Catholic priests.
Today, part of the old college is home to Blairs Museum. This museum shows off Scotland's Catholic heritage. The New Chapel at Blairs is a very important historical building, listed as Category A. Other buildings are also listed as Category B.
What is Blairs College?
Blairs College sits on the south bank of the River Dee. It is located between Kirkton of Maryculter and Aberdeen. The land was first owned by a group called the Knights Hospitaller. In 1542, it passed to the Menzies family.
In 1827, John Menzies of Pitfodfels gave the land to the Catholic Bishops in Scotland. His house, Menzies House, became a seminary for 25 students. In 1829, two other seminaries, Lismore Seminary and Aquhorthies College, closed. Their students then moved to Blairs College.
A Look Back in Time
The college grew quite a bit between 1897 and 1902. A new chapel was built by Robert Curran. New classrooms and living areas were also added by Robert Gordon Wilson. Bishop Chisholm officially opened these new buildings on September 23, 1903.
The college's large collection of books is now kept at Aberdeen University Library. Its historical records are stored at the Scottish Catholic Archives.
Blairs College closed its doors as a seminary in 1986. However, the chapel is still used for worship. A Sunday Mass is held there every week at 9:30 AM.
Blairs Museum Today
Today, the college buildings are home to Blairs Museum. This museum tells the story of Catholic history in Scotland. It has important art collections. These include items related to Mary Queen of Scots, the Jacobites (supporters of a royal family), and the history of Catholicism in Scotland. The museum is open on weekends from April to September. You can also visit by making an appointment.
Images for kids
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Stained-glass in Blairs College
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