The original theatre was founded in 1933. A new building opened in 1970 and Nicoll Russell Studios completed the current Byre Theatre in 2002.


Building image © keith hunter from RSA Jun 05

Opening in June 2001, this competition-winning, lottery-funded Theatre creates a contemporary theatre within a historically sensitive context.

The £4m theatre building includes a 220 seat auditorium and stage with full flying capability, 'back of house' accommodation, conference facilities, fully flexible studio theatre, and foyer / restaurant spaces which respond to the existing urban fabric by forging a new link between the differing public realms to the 'front' and 'rear' of the site.

New Theatre, St Andrews
Architect: Nicoll Russell Studios
Client: The Byre Theatre of St. Andrews Ltd
Completed: May 2001
Project cost: £3.77m


Byre Theatre - photo © adrian welch

The competition brief in 1995 demanded the creation of “The Best Small Theatre in Scotland”. Increase in audience capacity, vast improvements in technical and production capabilities were sought while retaining an intimacy for which the performance space of the ‘old’ Byre were well known.

Summary of judges’ comments:
An alternative rethinking of the Old Byre Theatre, cleverly inserted in the town fabric. A very comfortable building on a demanding site. The interlinking and interpretations of space provides coherence to the concept. A strong presence and an enhancement of a well used facility.
RIAS PR - 27 Sep 2002



Byre Theatre architects : Nicoll Russell Studios

Another key St Andrews Building:
Andrew Melville Halls by James Stirling

Scottish Dance Theatre, Dundee

Dundee Contemporary Arts

Dundee Rep Theatre



World Architecture : e-architect - a guide to key buildings across the globe

Fife Building

Comments / photos for the Byre Theatre page welcome: info@e-architect.co.uk

Byre Theatre - page : adrian welch / isabelle lomholt

Website: www.byretheatre.com