Over the years I have heard about the tantalisingly stunning ruins of St Peter’s Seminary near Cardross. Having poured over some gorgeous images on Flickr and built a huge desire to visit, it baffles me that it took until Boxing Day 2013 for me to finally make the trip.

On what was a disappointingly dull and drizzly day, we ventured past Dumbarton to the beautiful wooded approach to the ex-training ground for priests.

My dream visit would be on one of the sunny days I’ve witnessed online with light streaming through the brutalist structure. As it was, fulfilling this long-held ambition was enough, for now – although I’ve vowed to return on a bright day.

The building designed by Gillespie, Kidd and Coia was completed in 1966. It is Category A listed by Historic Scotland and has been described by the international architecture conservation organisation as a modern “building of world significance”.

The…