David Livingstone Centre

General information

The David Livingstone Centre is currently closed for redevelopment. Please follow our progress on social media!

The Centre will become a key resource for learning about his heritage and his far reaching impact in - science, health, exploration, faith and humanitarian endeavour. It will be a vibrant new visitor destination telling the story of the remarkable life and heritage of David Livingstone (1813 – 1873). This story sets Scotland in a global context and presents a compelling universal example of what each of us can achieve – and what we have to offer the world. Given the importance of our Collection we intend to become a centre for research; and deliver learning and public programmes to support schools, community regeneration and international partnerships.

David Livingstone (1813 – 1873) was born in Blantyre Mill, a poor millworker’s son. Inspired by the ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment, by faith and by the mill’s commitment to workers education, he went on to become a world-renowned African explorer, medical missionary and anti-slavery campaigner. He received the Freedom of London and is buried in Westminster Abbey. Hailed as ‘Africa’s First Freedom Fighter’, Livingstone remains a positive example of international solidarity and his story presents Scottish history, culture and learning within a truly global context