CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition

A generous package of funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.

Funding win marks anniversary of Mackintosh acquisition

Article Source: National Trust For Scotland
Last Updated: 19 December 2024 8:47

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Philip Long and President Jackie Bird at the Mackintosh at the Willow, Glasgow. Pic by Peter Devlin

A generous £1.1 million package of development funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund has been pledged to the National Trust for Scotland as the first step towards a highly ambitious project to celebrate the genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.

The news comes almost a year after the conservation charity worked with the Trustees of Mackintosh at the Willow and acquired the tearoom on Sauchiehall Street which was struggling due to the impact of the pandemic and two fires at the Glasgow School of Art.

After adding Mackintosh at the Willow to its portfolio, which also includes the Hill House in Helensburgh, the National Trust for Scotland cares for two of the couple’s most important surviving, publicly accessible masterpieces of design.

These incredible places will be the focus of Mackintosh Illuminated, a project, which the conservation charity says will put a spotlight on the design duo, sharing, celebrating and inspiring as many as possible with their creative genius and the beauty of their creations. The development funding announced today is the first stage towards a wider £7.3 million award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The National Trust for Scotland says the project will help make Mackintosh and Macdonald better known and appreciated both internationally and at home through the creation of an online learning resource, and an expanded programme of property-based community and education work in both Helensburgh and Glasgow.

The project also aims to encourage more people to visit both sites to get a richer picture of the pair's skill and versatility. Through working in partnership with other Mackintosh stakeholders in Glasgow and more widely, the support will also help planning to celebrate the anniversary in 2028 of Mackintosh’s death, and his birth 160 years previously.

Funding will also enable the charity to continue the vital conservation work at the Hill House which, since it was completed in 1904, has been afflicted with chronic damp. The pioneering chainmail Box which was installed in 2019 has been successful in allowing the house to dry out slowly. This new funding will enable the Trust to move forward with the full removal of the current render, to find a replacement which will resolve the longstanding damp issue, to remove the Box in 2028 and to provide updated, permanent visitor facilities including a café, shop and toilet facilities at the site on Upper Colquhoun Street in Helensburgh.

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Philip Long OBE said: “We are enormously grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for this generous grant which will help us do all we can to make sure that Mackintosh and Macdonald get the recognition globally and at home that their brilliant design and creativity merit.

“As the charity privileged to care for some of the finest remaining examples of the couple’s work, we feel strongly that their contribution should be better understood and celebrated. With the Hill House and the Mackintosh at the Willow at the centre of all our work, we will engage with more people in person and online, to tell the story of their creation and the inspiring people involved in those visionary ventures.

“And, as a conservation charity, we will protect both buildings to be enjoyed and experienced long into the future. At the Hill House, this means, continuing our work to solve its century-long issue with damp, both preserving this masterpiece and pioneering methods that add to the global conservation sector’s knowledge of how to care for and repair 20th century buildings, and helping train new craftspeople who can carry out work like this in the future.

“At the Mackintosh at the Willow, that means ensuring that this excellent experience thrives under the Trust’s care and continues to grow and contribute to a much-needed revitalisation of Sauchiehall Street and to Glasgow’s heritage as a whole. It was just a year ago that the future was in doubt for the tearoom. Now this new funding means the future looks bright, both for the Mackintosh at the Willow and for the appreciation of Mackintosh and Macdonald and their unique take on, and place in, nature, beauty and heritage.”


Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said: "Conserving the architectural masterpiece of the Hill House and enabling the National Trust for Scotland to tell the story of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald’s creative collaboration is hugely important. Thanks to National Lottery players, the Hill House and the stunning Mackintosh at the Willow on Sauchiehall Street will together enable visitors to explore the work of these two artistic virtuosos whose influence stretches around the world.”

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Pawrade
Renfrewshire Council
Napier Uni

Latest Renfrewshire News

Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary

Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.

READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes

Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes

Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.

READ MORE
Braehead Shopping Centre set to open FIRST MINISO store in Glasgow

Braehead Shopping Centre set to open FIRST MINISO store in Glasgow

Braehead Shopping Centre, part of SGS Group, is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of internationally renowned pop culture retailer, MINISO!

READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK

Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK

IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.

READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons

Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons

Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.

READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers

New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers

A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.

READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month

David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month

Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.

READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors

The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors

2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.

READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical

Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical

Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.

READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day

Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day

For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.

READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates

Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates

Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.

READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience

Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience

This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.

READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes

Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes

Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.

READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland

Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland

The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.

READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open

Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open

Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!

READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15

Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15

To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.

READ MORE
This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!

This May bank holiday weekend sees 3 day festival take over Ayr Beach and the sun is set to shine!

Pavilion Festival 2025: From Big Top, live music to secret gigs - here's what to expect!

READ MORE
Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair

Fun for all the family at the 36th annual Scottish Game Fair

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair is back for its 36th year at Scone Palace, taking place 4th - 6th July 2025.

READ MORE
Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies

Free Glorious Grass gardening workshop for children at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres are welcoming children across the UK to join in on the fun this May to uncover all there is to know about grass at its free Little Seedlings Club workshop.

READ MORE
Top line up delivers another blockbuster Paisley Book Festival

Top line up delivers another blockbuster Paisley Book Festival

A legendary author, celebrity chefs and musical heroes helped to write a fantastic new chapter for Paisley Book Festival.

READ MORE
Thousands attend double helping of Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2025

Thousands attend double helping of Paisley Food and Drink Festival 2025

Paisley Food and Drink Festival saw thousands of people turn out to enjoy a fantastic range of street food and entertainment over the weekend.

READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday

New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday

Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.

READ MORE
Malaysian Scottish chef to give Paisley Book Festival audience Sama more recipes to bring people together

Malaysian Scottish chef to give Paisley Book Festival audience Sama more recipes to bring people together

Renowned Glasgow restaurant co-founder to discuss new book and influences as she appears alongside The Hebridean Baker, Pam Brunton and Katie Goh.

READ MORE
ACCORD Hospice Art Exhibition to open on 1st May

ACCORD Hospice Art Exhibition to open on 1st May

This year's ACCORD Hospice Annual Art Exhibition will be opened by Lord Provost of Paisley, Councillor Lorraine Cameron, on Thursday 1st May at 4pm.

READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies

New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.

READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity

Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity

The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.

READ MORE
New trail highlights the amazing musical history of Paisley

New trail highlights the amazing musical history of Paisley

Paisley's remarkable musical story - featuring chart-toppers, cult heroes and rioters - to be told as part of book festival.

READ MORE
Thistles & Tykes, a new role play village and soft play area located in Renfrew, is now open

Thistles & Tykes, a new role play village and soft play area located in Renfrew, is now open

Thistles & Tykes, a new role play village and soft play area located in Renfrew has officially opened its doors!

READ MORE
Fashion writer with PhD in Prince to explore stories and style at Paisley Book Festival

Fashion writer with PhD in Prince to explore stories and style at Paisley Book Festival

Cultural historian Dr Casci Ritchie hails 'incredible buzz' that showpiece event brings as she encourages visitors to explore town.

READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration

Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Pace Youth Theatre
Hostelworld
Go Radio
ATG

Sponsored Links

Paisley First
Pawrade
Renfrewshire Council
Napier Uni
Pace Youth Theatre
Hostelworld
Go Radio
ATG

Popular Events

Barshaw Gala Day
It should be a great day for all the family when Barshaw Park hosts its annual gala day on Saturday 21st June 2025!
Family History Cafe: Church Records
Join Renfrewshire Ancestors, from The Urban Historian, for the Family History Cafe and talk about discovering ancestors in Paisley and Renfrewshire!
Renfrew Gala Day
Renfrew Gala Day 2025 will take place on Sunday 1st June with a day full of fun, entertainment, and celebration of our local community!
The Scottish Festival of Railway Modelling
Calling all railway enthusiasts, modellers, and families! The Scottish Festival of Railway Modelling is set to be a spectacular event celebrating the intricate and fascinating world of modelling!
Nova Baby Presents... Live At The Bungalow
Indie/alt rockers Nova Baby return to The Bungalow in Paisley to headline a showcase night of some of the best local talent around!

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley