St. Peters Seminary

The seminary was a complex composition; strong horizontal in-situ concrete floor planes, with timber and glass infill walls contrasted with tall, curved and heavily rendered walls.

The building was never fully occupied, the result of falling numbers of priests and changing attitudes to their training. Only half full on completion, by 1979 there were only 21 trainee priests, resulting in the seminary finally closing in 1980.

During the time it was inhabited it constantly suffered with water ingress and constant maintenance problems due to its complex design.

Shortly after the church vacated the seminary it was converted into a drug rehabilitation centre. This closed in the late 80s.

Since then its fell prey to severe neglect and vandalism, and was set fire to in 1995. The resulting attack completely gutted the seminary and nearly everything was destroyed. All that remains now is and empty shell which in parts is rather dangerous.

The building is actually Grade I listed now and has been described as one of Scotland's greatest post-WWII buildings. Its also been included in the World Monuments Fund's '100 Most Endangered Sites' list.

Despite it only being a shell it really is and imposing and impressive building, and very atmospheric. The clean minimal lines that flow through the building are superb, and the abundance of concrete is eye catching. Everything about the place is striking and demands you to admire it.

From its simplistic layout to its complex design and shape. St. Peters really is superb in every way, its just a shame its in such poor condition now.

Putting it on the listed status though will ensure it stays around for a long time to come. A truly magnificent structure and that deserves to be preserved.