William MacGillivray
An oil portrait of MacGillivray.
A map of MacGillivray's walk from Aberdeen to London in 1819.
Beginnings
William MacGillivray was born in Old Aberdeen and raised on the Isle of Harris. Growing up in the Outer Hebrides, he developed a love of the outdoors. Aberdeen became MacGillivray’s home again when he returned to study medicine at King’s College in 1812, yet ornithology, the study of birds, would become his true passion.
Studying nature
During MacGillivray’s studies, the field of zoology was not yet well-established, so he taught himself a great deal. During university holidays he returned to Harris, making the 360-mile journey through the Highlands on foot and taking note of the bird and plant species he encountered.
In September 1819 MacGillivray began walking from Aberdeen to London to visit the British Museum’s natural history collection. Taking a direct route this journey is around 500 miles, but MacGillivray took a longer path via Ben Nevis. He walked 837 miles in 8 weeks, documenting his journey as he went.
He continued observing nature up close whenever he could, and in 1823 became assistant to the Regius Professor of Natural History at the University of Edinburgh.
Career and Influence
After devoting many years of his life to advancing the study of nature, MacGillivray secured a position as Professor of Civil and Natural History at Aberdeen’s Marischal College, and made a lasting impression on his students.
Though a significant naturalist in his own right, MacGillivray is perhaps best remembered today for his collaboration with the widely celebrated American naturalist, John James Audubon.
Gallery
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Journal of a year's residence and travel in the Hebrides
William MacGillivray
1817-1818
Though born in Aberdeen, William MacGillivray spent his youth in the Hebrides, a group of islands off Scotland’s west coast. Aged 21 he travelled the region, keeping an account of the flora and fauna he observed, as well as the people he met and the food he ate.
Notes taken of the journey from Aberdeen to London
William MacGillivray
1819
MacGillivray kept detailed notes of his long walk to London, aiming to improve his knowledge of natural history, ‘and especially ornithology.’ In London he visited the British Museum’s collection of birds, finding that he did ‘not altogether agree with modern ornithologists,’ and suggesting that he might ‘some day become the author of a new system’ for recording British bird life.
MS 1032
Report on visits to museums
William MacGillivray
1833
Following his walk to London to visit the British Museum in 1819, MacGillivray travelled there again in 1833 to visit the museums and natural history collections. He took an interest in how specimens were displayed, sketching mounted birds at the London Geological Society. He also visited London Zoo, commenting on how much he preferred to see live birds instead of stuffed specimens.
MS 2158