Charles Rennie MacKintosh

Charles Rennie MacKintosh – 1868–1928

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was an architect, designer and artist, and one of Scotland’s most inspiring and innovative individuals.

Many of his world-famous buildings and interiors are to be found in Glasgow. His greatest accomplishments include his showpiece The Glasgow School of Art, the villas Windyhill and The Hill House, Scotland Street School, and an assortment of city-centre tea room interiors.

Mackintosh passionately believed that a room is a work of art and so his signature style was born in the form of his fabulously iconic furniture.

Glasgow is a treasure trove of his works so read on below to discover where and what you can go and see!

Mackintosh At The Willows
This A list building houses a 200 seat tea room and restaurant within 3 floors with both exterior and interior designed by Mackintosh. Seen as a perfect example of complete Art Nouveau design, the tea rooms re-opened in 2018 after major restorations and was
officially opened by Prince Charles. The Visitor Centre and Retail store is next door to the tea rooms. It’s most definitely an interesting a beautiful spot to go and see!

The Hunterian
The University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum is home to the Mackintosh House. The House is a precise re-creation of the original interiors from the Mackintoshes’ Glasgow residence at 78 Southpark Avenue (originally 6 Florentine Terrace) from 1906 to 1914. Extensive modifications were made in 1906 as Mackintosh remodelled the dimensions and allowed additional natural daylight into the Victorian end-of-terrace home. Stunning then, and now, the house has been adorned with his own furnishings – all to his own iconic design. It’s definitely worth a visit!

Martyr’s School
Designed in 1895, the Martyr’s School isn’t open to the public, but holds a special place in the hearts of Mackintosh fans since it sits on the very street he was born in, Parsons Street. This red sandstone building is crowned by three ventilators with distinctly decorative finials in true Mackintosh style. The interior includes lime-washed plaster walls and magnificent roof trusses.

House For An Art Lover
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901 and built in the beautiful surroundings of Bellahouston Park in the 1990s, House for an Art Lover gives the visitor a snapshot into Mackintosh’s unique genius as an architect, artist, designer and trailblazer of the Art Noveau crusade. The elegant country spot holds regular arts themed activities and you can grab a bite to eat at Art Lover’s Cafe with a relaxing view of the gardens.

Glasgow School Of Art
Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in stages between 1896-1909. The Mackintosh Building quickly became of iconic status in Glasgow and was standing for over 100 years. After a major fire in the Mackintosh Building in June 2018, The Glasgow School of Art visitor centre, shop and exhibition spaces in the nearby Reid building are sadly closed to visitors at this time.

Byres Road – The heart and soul of Glasgow’s West End

A visit to Byres Road during the day is a completely distinct experience than by night, and that’s why we love it so much. Byres Road can reinvent itself like no other street in Glasgow with such ease.

Glasgow’s Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing bus

Glasgow’s Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing bus is a fantastic and cheap way to see the city.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the world’s largest festival showcasing an extraordinary collection of cultural and artistic performances every year in August.