St Peter's Seminary

St Peter's Seminary is a modernist concrete building in Cardross, Scotland, set among trees on a gently sloping hillside. The complex spreads across several levels with sharp angles, exposed concrete pillars, and large openings that once let daylight into the chapel, dining hall, and dormitories.

The complex was planned from 1961 and opened in 1966 to train priests for the Diocese of Glasgow. A decline in student numbers led to its closure in 1980, and the building has stood empty ever since.

The seminary was designed around a Benedictine ideal, with living quarters and communal spaces connected by covered walkways. Large glass surfaces were meant to bring Scottish light into the rooms and create a connection to the landscape.

The site is not accessible because weathered concrete and vandalism have made the structure unsafe. The location lies away from main roads and can only be reached through forest paths.

The chapel was designed so that the altar cross was lit by natural light through a narrow opening. This light effect heightened the spiritual atmosphere of the space and made it a focal point of the building.

Location: Argyll and Bute

Location: Cardross

Inception: 1966

Architects: Gillespie, Kidd & Coia

Official opening: 1966

GPS coordinates: 55.97030,-4.64055

Latest update: December 20, 2025 00:06