TASH Tour report by Simon Salisbury, May 2026: The Art & Architecture of Glasgow

Nineteen members of The Arts Society Henley (TASH) went on a five day Arts Holiday to Glasgow at the beginning of May 2026. 

The principal focus of the trip was to look at the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, born in Glasgow in 1868. We visited the House of an Art Lover designed by Mackintosh in 1900 but only completed in 1996 by present day architects who share a passion for CRM’s work. We also enjoyed visits to the Willow Tea Rooms in the centre of Glasgow and The Hill House on the banks of the Clyde. Margaret, Mackintosh’s wife, was a huge influence on her husband’s work and contributed much to the interior design of his buildings. Charles once wrote in a letter to her, "Remember, you are half if not three-quarters in all my architectural work ..." and reportedly "Margaret has genius, I have only talent." 

We spent a whole day at Dumfries House, purchased in 2007 by a consortium led by King Charles III. A wonderful renovation of this splendid Palladian mansion, designed by John and Robert Adam also includes perhaps the largest and most valuable collection of Chippendale furniture in the world. We were given a guided tour of Queen Elizabeth II Walled Garden by the head gardener and like all our time in Glasgow, the sun shone!

Other visits included the Burrell Collection, a private tour of Ardgowan House by the owner Sir “Ludo” Shaw Stewart and time spent in the wonderful Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Hunterian Art Gallery.