Our Kids Heritage Trails are now available online. Click on any of the images below and then you’ll be able to download and print the trails in a new easy-to-print format.
We’d love to see some pictures of you enjoying the trails – you can show them to us on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages – use the hashtag #glasgowkidstrails.
Glasgow City Heritage Trust recognises that the Covid-19 outbreak is an exceptional event that will have an impact on our grantees, partners and stakeholders, and wants to offer reassurance that we are taking all measures possible to maintain continuity of service throughout this difficult time.
From today, Wednesday 18th March 2020, our office will be closed and all staff will be working remotely. Our Grant Programmes remain open and all our other activities remain operational. Our Events Programme is taking place online via Zoom.
These measures will be reviewed regularly, and any changes will be communicated via social media channels and our website. Staff are contactable by email.
We wish to be as helpful as possible during the coming weeks and months so that our grantees can move ahead with their projects where possible, with the assurance that we will be supportive and understanding about changes that need to be made to their programmes in light of the current situation.
We understand that there will be times when staff and volunteers will not be available, when events need to be cancelled or postponed, or when projects need to be flexible to ensure that outcomes are met and outputs delivered.
If your project or organisation are affected by the covid-19 outbreak, and you have accepted grant funding from us, we are committed to:
If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch at info@glasgowheritage.org.uk or email your usual Grant Officer.
Thursday 25th January 2024 | 14:30-16:00 | Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HU
Ever wondered what lies behind the doors of 185 Bath Street?
Steeped in culture and heritage, Glasgow Art Club has long been a private meeting place for generations of the city’s most innovative and creative inhabitants.
Now, we are giving you the chance to see behind the scenes of one of Glasgow’s best kept secrets!
In 1893 two adjacent town houses on Bath Street were transformed by architects Honeyman & Keppie, employing Charles Rennie Mackintosh, into the magnificent Clubhouse which stands today. The Grade A-Listed Clubhouse is resplendent with historically significant interior features – many of which were designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh when he was but 25 years old.
Recent extensive refurbishment, with substantial financial aid from The Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland and generous contributions from private donors, has resulted in restoration of the Club’s large Gallery to its original Victorian splendour.
A must-see attraction for all Mackintosh enthusiasts is the recently recreated Mackintosh Frieze. Painted in 1893, the stencilled artwork was Mackintosh’s first major public work and the centrepiece of the club’s Gallery, but due to water damage it was eventually plastered and painted over. A group of nationally recognised experts in the work of Mackintosh, in combination with a notable Scottish artist and a firm specialising in restoration work, have combined to produce the stunning visual experience now on show.
The Club also boasts an impressive collection of fine art paintings, sculpture and prints – much of which has never been on show to the public before. The collection includes work by Robin Hume, David Donaldson, Emilio Coia, Alexander Goudie, Bet Low and Francis Newbury. The Scottish Portrait Awards Exhibition will be on at this time giving you the opportunity to see some of the best portrait artists living and working in Scotland.
The tour will last for 1 hour with time for teas, coffees and biscuits beforehand.
£16 per person, booking essential.
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
Friday 26th January – Friday 16th February 2024 | 18:30-20:30* | Glasgow Ceramic Studio, 77 Hanson Street, Glasgow, G31 2HF
Love tiles? Fancy the chance to create your own?
Tiles are a unique element of Glasgow’s built heritage which have adorned our closes and homes for centuries.
Glasgow City Heritage Trust have teamed up with Glasgow Ceramic Studio and artist Alison Gray to deliver a practical course to to create your very own set of handmade tiles! The course will take place on a Friday evening for 4 weeks.
Join us for a chance to learn more about ceramic tiles as you experiment with colour, shape and surface treatment.
The cost of the 4 evening sessions is £150 per person. Price includes clay, glaze, plaster and two kiln firings. Space is limited to 10 places, booking essential.
We encourage you to bring along your own designs and materials for inspiration, or alternatively just have fun and experiment as you go!
Alison Gray, Glasgow Ceramic Studio, is a ceramic artist who has been working with clay for over twenty years. She has a long interest in tiles used in homes and Victorian buildings and has created tiles for kitchens and school wall plaques.
Breakdown of each week:
Week 1: Friday 26th January, 18:30- 20:30 – Introduction and Learning
In this first session you will be introduced to Glasgow Ceramic Studio and start to get familiar with handling clay. We will take a look at some examples of how tiles have been used throughout history, with particular reference to Glasgow’s rich tile heritage. Then it’s time to experiment with a variety of different making techniques for cutting, creating images, surfaces and textures, to create your master tile ready for replication.
Week 2: Friday 2nd February, 18:30- 21:30* – Plaster Mould Making
This session will focus on creating a plaster mould of your tile design so that in week 3 we can produce multiple replicas ready for glazing and firing. Alison will guide you through the process of creating a frame and mixing the plaster prior to creating your very own tile mould.
*Please note the duration of this session will be up to 3 hours
Week 3: Friday 9th February, 18:30- 20:30 – Tile Reproduction
With plaster moulds created, it is now time to set the production line in motion to create your set of identical tiles. These will then be bisque fired ready for adding a colour in week 4.
Week 4: Friday 16th February, 18:30-20:30 – Decoration & Finishing
After a run through of some basic decorating techniques, now is the time to bring your tiles to life by adding some colour. Once the tiles are decorated Alison will then glaze fire your pieces ready for collection at a later date.
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
Wednesday 29th November 2023 | 7-8pm | Fairfield Heritage, Govan, G51 4XS
Join Raymond Young, who literally wrote the book on Annie’s Loo, and Carmen Lean from Loco Home Retrofit to hear more about the history of Annie’s Loo and how we can make tenement retrofit accessible.
Raymond will kick things off by discussing Annie’s Loo, which might not have been the first tenement retrofit, but the way it was carried out effectively kick started a programme throughout inner city Glasgow and beyond. He’ll discuss the context, the process, and the outcome. And maybe the future?
We’ll then hear from Carmen Lean of Loco Home Retrofit who will talk about Glasgow’s checkered history of retrofit and how we can learn from successes, failures and everything in between. How can we make quality retrofit more affordable and led by the people who live in tenements? Carmen will look at Loco Home’s evolving community-based approach, will share lessons learned from grappling with Glasgow’s old, cold and gas guzzling homes, and why we look to ‘Annie’s Loo’ for inspiration of retrofit done right.
Raymond Young was one of the founder members of ASSIST, the community architecture practice in Govan that pioneered both tenement rehabilitation and community-based housing associations, the story of which he tells in his book ‘Annie’s Loo’. He has a long term interest in community regeneration and sustainability and worked with the Housing Corporation and Scottish Homes. Previous roles included first chair of Architecture and Design Scotland, non-executive member of Historic Scotland, convenor of the Rural Housing Service, a member of the UK Sustainable Development Commission, and chair of the Church of Scotland’s General Trustees.
Carmen Lean is the Community Development Officer for Loco Home Retrofit CIC which is a community-led home retrofit co-operative, based in Glasgow. Set up in 2021, Loco Home has a growing membership of around 200 retrofitters in Glasgow. Before joining Loco Home earlier this year, Carmen worked in climate action and campaigned against the demolition of Glasgow’s highrises. She studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art.
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
The City Chambers is one of the most prestigious buildings in Glasgow. It’s a place where famous visitors are welcomed, and where big events such as civic receptions and award ceremonies are held. However, many Glaswegians have never been inside, or are unaware that free public tours take place every day. Our new online learning resource, ‘Our City Chambers’, aimed mainly at primary school aged children, enables them to explore the building in a way that is accessible, engaging and fun, even if they aren’t able to visit in person. Explore the resource here
It features animations of key rooms within the building, including the Banqueting Hall and Council Chambers. It also shows areas that are not always accessible to the public, such as the Councillors’ Corridor, the Lord Provost’s Office and the Portrait Gallery. It covers the architecture, design and social history of the Chambers, identifying the materials and the traditional skills and techniques employed in its construction and decoration. It also demonstrates how the building is still a functioning workplace for the council, and the role it plays in providing key public services to the people of Glasgow.
We worked closely with the design team at SUUM studio to create this resource. We would like to give our heartfelt thanks to them and to the staff at the City Chambers for their support and insights during the project. Children at St Mungo’s Primary School participated in a series of workshops in the development stages of the project, including a visit to the Chambers. Their perspectives on the building and the city of Glasgow were inspiring and joyful, and were instrumental in shaping the final resource.
A free printed resource to accompany the website has also been produced. It is available to pick up from the City Chambers and from GCHT’s office at 54 Bell Street in the Merchant City. A downloadable PDF will also be added here in due course.
We’d love to see some pictures of you visiting the Chambers – you can show them to us on our Twitter, Instagram or Facebook pages – use the hashtag #ourcitychambers
Wednesday 6th December 2023 | 6:30-8:30pm | GCHT, 54 Bell Street, G1 1LQ
Join Max Johnson from Seileach Basketry for weaving and mince pies at this cosy festive event! Max is a longtime forager, foodie and crafter, who lovingly weaves baskets & decorations using materials foraged in a range of landscapes, from idyllic rural riversides to derelict post-industrial sites.
People have been weaving with willow for at least 10,000 years. In this workshop we’ll use this ancient practice to weave festive star decorations. Making them is incredibly relaxing and meditative; a chance to engage with nature and express yourself creatively.
This session is suitable for beginners, no weaving experience necessary. All equipment and materials provided.
£30 per person
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
By keeping your subscription to our mailing list, you’re not just receiving emails; you’re supporting our work to protect and celebrate Glasgow’s remarkable built heritage.
If you want to tell us a bit more about what you’re interested in, we can tailor your content to make sure we’re delivering content that sparks your interest.
Monday 9th October | 10am – 12 noon | On site at Conservation Masonry, 942-944 South Street, Whiteinch, Glasgow, G14 0AR
This event provides an opportunity to see the craft of stone carving in action, as you’ll see the carving of a new Arts & Crafts influenced stone cross for the apex of the roof at Miller Hall. A Category A-listed historic church in Dennistoun, designed by celebrated architect James Miller, the building was previously known as St Andrew’s East Church and was converted into flats in the early 2000s.
The historic cross is beginning to disintegrate and can’t be left in place due to the risk of pieces of stone falling. It is too important a feature to take away, so the decision was taken to create a replica cut from a new piece of stone.
We will explain the background to the current conservation project, supported by Glasgow City Heritage Trust, and will see the historic stone cross which has been carefully removed from the church. Attendees will learn the various stages of carving involved, from processing a sandstone block, setting out, initial shaping and hand chiselling the stone down to the finished article, including cutting all the exquisite relief detail.
PPE can be provided if necessary, however it would be helpful if attendees could bring their own hard hats, safety eyewear and hi-viz vests/jackets if they can.
All GCHT CPD sessions are recognised by the IHBC, and attendees can obtain a CPD certificate upon completion.
Spaces are limited to 8 people, booking essential.
£10 per person / £5 for students
All sessions are recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) as being capable of contributing to the obligatory CPD requirements of Full Members (see www.ihbc.org.uk)
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
Saturday 30th September | 11:30am – 1:00pm | Queens Park Govanhill Parish Church, 170 Queen’s Drive, Glasgow G42 8QZ
Worried about a leaky roof? Concerned about damp in your flat? Not sure how to talk to your neighbours about joint repairs?
Join GCHT and Under One Roof for a free and informative event aimed at owner-occupiers, landlords or anyone who wants to learn more about maintaining and managing their historic tenement flats.
Topics covered will include tenement maintenance and management, communal repairs and what to consider when undertaking works. We will also discuss energy efficiency and retrofit, and changes to government regulations affecting owner-occupiers and landlords. There will also be a chance to hear about GCHT’s historic environment grants programme and whether you might be eligible for grant funding.
We’ll finish with a Q&A session where you can ask us your top tenement questions!
Free, booking required
Light refreshments provided
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
Step into a captivating journey that intertwines the past and the present as Glasgow City Heritage Trust proudly presents an exclusive collaboration with acclaimed author Sara Sheridan. Join us as the pages of history come alive on the contemporary canvas of the Trust’s Knight Map of the city.
📘🗺️ “Where are the Women?” – by Sara Sheridan, meticulously uncovers the hidden stories and remarkable contributions of women who have shaped Glasgow’s vibrant tapestry over the centuries. Discover the untold tales of pioneers, artists, activists, and visionaries who defied the limitations of their times. In this enthralling video, we invite you to witness the magic unfold as Sara herself guides us through the city’s streets, mapping the lives and legacies of these remarkable women onto Will Knight’s meticulously crafted contemporary illustrated map.
🏛️ At Glasgow City Heritage Trust, we’re passionate about preserving and celebrating the rich heritage that forms the foundation of this incredible city. This collaboration reflects our commitment to bridging eras and inspiring conversations, underscoring the importance of recognising the often overlooked narratives that have shaped our diverse historic environment.
🎙️ Join us as we embark on a virtual voyage through Glasgow’s past, present, and future. Like, share, and immerse yourself in this unique convergence of storytelling and heritage, only on Glasgow City Heritage Trust’s website.
Wednesday 8th December 2021 | 7.30pm GMT | via Zoom
Focusing on architecture, window displays, and internal design, this talk will examine how Glasgow department stores, like their Parisian counterparts, became spaces not just of spectacle, but also of manipulation and disorientation.
“I feel like a bird soaring over the city when I gaze upon Sulman’s map, every nook and cranny with every detail so exact.
I can see where I came from and where I’m at.”
Sunday 17th September | 11am – 1pm | Meet at 54 Bell Street, G1 1LQ
If you enjoy Moments of Beauty in Glasgow on Twitter, join Niall Murphy, conservation architect and Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, for a walking tour exploring the highlights, both big and small, as part of Glasgow Doors Open Days Festival 2023.
Starting from Bell Street, the walk will head into Glasgow Cross via the High Street then on into the Merchant City via Albion Street. The tour will take in Wilson Street, Glassford Street, Ingram Street, Virginia Street, Miller Street, and Royal Exchange Square before finishing at the Lighthouse. Highlights include the lost realm of the Tobacco Lords, the high jinks of the Hellfire club, the devastation caused by the collapse of the City of Glasgow Bank, the works of the Glasgow City Improvement Trust, Glasgow’s interwar ‘Avenue of the Americas’ and the County Buildings, Robert Adam’s Trades House, a Post-modern courtyard, Sir JJ Burnet’s baroque banking hall, a precocious facade, the site of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Ingram Street tea rooms, the link between Paris’s Arc du Triomphe and the Equestrian Statue of the Duke of Wellington, Glasgow’s links to slavery, and, the symbology of the Lighthouse.
Free but booking is essential: Please note booking is managed by Doors Open Days and will be available from 1st September, details to follow.
Ever wondered which buildings in your neighbourhood are listed, or even on Scotland’s Buildings at Risk Register? Our new interactive map shows data collated between February and April 2018 which gives a snapshot of the current state of Glasgow’s historic built environment.
Read our latest blog post about our Ghost Signs of Glasgow project, pondering the nature of ghost signs and what they tell us about the urban landscape.
