The James Gregory Telescope was constructed in 1962 by the University of St Andrews.

[2] The James Gregory Telescope is the largest working optical telescope in the UK and is still used by the School of Physics and Astronomy for research in collaborative projects such as SuperWASP and the study of super massive black holes and their impact on galaxy structure.

[3] The James Gregory Telescope is named after the Scottish mathematician, astronomer and University academic James Gregory, who invented the design Gregorian telescope.

It was estimated that the telescope cost about £1 million to manufacture, in early 21st-century currency.

[2] The telescope uses both a mirror and corrector, and is capable up to 16 degrees but was adjusted after it came online in 1962.