Pursuing the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Trail in Glasgow

Glasgow’s Charles Rennie Mackintosh Trail – We took the kids to explore the key sites linked to this iconic artist, architect and designer. Some attractions worked better than others, some were spot on, so here’s the lowdown.

Mackintosh at The Willow – Mackintosh Trail Glasgow

The Mackintosh at The Willow Exhibition is fun for kids as it explains the history of Mrs Cranston’s iconic Glasgow tearooms, the original site of Charles and Margaret Macdonald’s eye-catching designs, architecture and furnishings. For adults display boards are filled with information about this turn of the century delight, while kids (and big kids) can listen to giant teacups, build their own Mackintosh high-backed chair, wear tearoom fancy dress, watch short films and choose their own 19th century tea menu with touchscreen gadgets. FREE to NTS members, non-members prices here.

To see restored ground floor tearooms simply book a table or chance turning up for a treat, like I did. Alongside the famed afternoon tea, lunches, plus simple tea and cake are available.

In terms of taking children there, our kids were made welcome. We simply ordered afternoon tea for two adults, and there was ample food to feed the four of us, so the only extra cost was two glasses of fruit juice for the boys. If I could have savoured this experience child-free then I would have preferred that, but if you’re choice is attend with children or miss out, then don’t miss out! To see the ladies’ grand Salon de Luxe book afternoon tea Thursday-Sunday at 2pm. To see all the tea salons (ladies’ Salon de Luxe, gents’ Billiards Room, and the Front Salons) book one of the daily tours that take visitors behind the scenes [currently £11 for adults, £9 for concessions].

Scotland Street School Museum – Jan 2025 Update Temporarily Closed, please check again

This school building was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh between 1903-1906. The process involved colourful wranglings with the council over decorative features, as creative genius and budget-conscious public body collaborated. The finished product is a practical school building with flourishes of Mackintosh detail.

As a school it’s been assaulted by children over the years, so rest assured your kids are in safe territory. Children are fascinated by the segregated boys and girls doors, stairwells, cloakrooms and playgrounds. In each cloakroom tots can dress up as Victorian boys or girls before parading and flouncing around the building.

The Victorian classroom is stark and regimented, with a Dunce’s hat at the front of the class. Changed days indeed, what a humiliating way to learn. The World War II classroom features gas mask cases, as children were evacuated from this school to the countryside to evade the notorious bombings of Glasgow and Clydeside. Again, we couldn’t begin to contemplate these scenarios.

The 1950s/60s classroom felt a little lighter, it included a reading corner, and the books were a bit groovier. But it is still felt so raw compared to the colour and toys in modern classrooms.

Displays told the story of school life – from jannies to medical inspections. And a display room was dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s creation of the school. Here, an interactive tile board allowed kids to design their own school, and this kept my tots occupied for around half an hour, which is how I actually managed to read many of the information boards!

Best of all the museum is free. And situated across the road from the Clockwork Orange (tube) so it’s handy for public transport too. FREE

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – Mackintosh Trail

Perennially popular with children, this vast museum covers everything from stuffed animals and the odd dinosaur, the Glasgow Boys artworks and the iconic floating heads installation, to suits of armour and a display about Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Free, spacious and quirky, this museum can be visited time and again, and you’ll always find something new. We also managed to catch the 1pm Organ Recital, which was pretty powerful stuff.

A simple café is situated on the ground floor for refreshments. The museum is next to a spacious, scenic park, with an excellent playground.

Top Things to Do in Glasgow…

Top Things to Do in Glasgow FOR FREE…

House for an Art Lover – Mackintosh Trail Glasgow

If you want to indulge in Charles Rennie Mackintosh design, then head to Bellahouston Park where you’ll find the House for an Art Lover. It’s so beautiful, calming and serene that weddings are held here on a regular basis. But from a parents’ point of view you can relax, as it’s not decorated with original pieces of art or furniture.

Essentially Charles Rennie Mackintosh entered a competition in 1901, set by German design magazine “Zeitschrift Fur Innendekoration”, to design an “Art Lovers House”. To cut a long story short his entry was commended but disqualified, due to technical breaches of the rules. CRM’s design lay gathering dust, until the bright idea dawned to create this wonderful house. It was a labour of love, and Mackintosh’s vision comes alive, but visitors can photograph the rooms, touch the furniture and be comfortable in this beautiful space. Our eldest listened to the audioguide as we walked from room to room, and I envied the couple about to get married in the Music Room in a few hours time!

Eat at House for an Art Lover. The downstairs café dishes up stylish and healthy lunches, and a decent kids menu. And, as an added bonus the House is set in Bellahouston Park, so ample opportunity for little legs to run off steam after lunch. It’s more convenient to use private transport or a cab to reach this attraction. FREE

The Lighthouse – Jan 2025 – Temporarily Closed – check back again 

Centrally situated, just off Buchanan Street on Mitchell Lane, this building was Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s first public commission. It originally housed the Herald Newspaper, but now it’s a beacon for Scottish art and design. The displays and artworks on show aren’t particularly aimed at children, but they do reveal a lot about the life, times and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

What may appeal to wee ones is climbing the building’s famous Water Tower. Round and round a spiral staircase they ascend, till they reach a viewpoint over the city of Glasgow. What an achievement for little legs, and grand views for all ages. FREE

The Mackintosh House at the Hunterian – Mackintosh Trail Glasgow

One for hardcore Charles Rennie Mackintosh fans here. This is the real deal, the house and many contents of Mackintosh and his equally talented wife Margaret Macdonald have been meticulously reassembled from the couple’s original Glasgow home.

It’s so authentic in fact, photography isn’t permitted, and it’s not really suitable for young children, as they simply have to manoeuvre around priceless furniture. Older children may appreciate this slice of the CRM story. Ticket prices are here.

Where to Eat – Mackintosh Trail Glasgow

For a grown up children’s menu I was impressed with the Hanoi Bike Shop in Glasgow’s West End. I’ve visited this informal, on trend Vietnamese restaurant with pals, and never perceived it as a kid’s venue. But the children’s menu is cleverly Vietnamese, but adapted for wee ones. Not a chicken nugget in sight.

The subterranean La Lanterna old school Italian on Hope Street worked well for our little pasta and pizza fans, as did Osteria Italiana on John Street. For trendy Italian in a modern, industrial setting make it Sugo on Mitchell Street. For sit in or takeaway fish and chips try the Blue Lagoon – kids love the giant fishing boat in the centre of the restaurant. For French food in smart surroundings make it Atlantic on St Vincent Place.

For a classy taste of traditional Glasgow fare we also loved Glasgow institution The Buttery/Two Fat Ladies. This is Glasgow’s oldest restaurant, smart but v welcoming, with a quality kid’s menu. Our boys were treated really well. For five star dining yet v welcoming to little ones try the Blythswood Square’s beautiful iasg restaurant. Very good kids menu here too.

Where to Stay Ideas – Mackintosh Trail Glasgow

Self-Catering ApartHotels at Native Glasgow

Native Glasgow is set within the former head office of the renowned Scottish shipping company Anchor Line. So these smart Aparthotels have a jazz age vibe, with interiors designed to reflect life aboard a glamorous 1920s transatlantic liner. Native is popular with couples, but for all the art deco influence, they’re family friendly too. The accommodation offers many benefits of a hotel, such as a 24 hour reception, plus free milk, tea and coffee. Self-catering amenities in my larger room (101) included a dishwasher and washing machine plus all the powders, liquids, cloths and tablets needed to keep a place clean. Other rooms balconies, so they aren’t all offering the same facilities. Look out for Gordon Castle toiletries in the shower room, and a de-steam mirror for makeup application. The staff were notably friendly too. Such a central location on St Vincent Place.

Downstairs are two restaurants to choose between, French ‘Atlantic‘ (accessible by lift without even leaving Native Glasgow) and The Anchor Line. Both venues have beautiful interiors, great cocktails and I’d thoroughly recommend the pork belly at Atlantic.

ADULT ONLY ACCOMMODATION – House of Gods

 

For glam, bubbles, fun and adult only glamour, it’s got to be the House of Gods. Book their ‘Treat me Like I’m Famous’ package and channel main character vibes all night. Its lush rooftop bar, Sacred Garden, is a floral delight.

MID RANGE – Doubletree Hilton – Family Room

We were accommodated in the Double Tree Hilton Central Glasgow, just off Sauchiehall Street. The family room was extremely spacious. It’s a central hotel and the breakfast buffet is of notably high quality. But a high point has to be the swimming pool. We started both mornings with a post-breakfast dip.

QUALITY BUDGET – Apex Hotel

For smart and contemporary accommodation try the Apex on Bath Street. It’s so central, and the kids adore the free duck! Parking is available nearby with a 40% discount rate. We really like this brand and have stayed at the Dundee Apex several times (it also boasts a pool and spa!).

QUALITY BUDGET – MotelOne

Right next to Central Station you can’t go wrong for price and quality at MotelOne. Double rooms available so suitable for couples and good friends, rather than families. Contemporary bar and public spaces, with imagery and decor inspired by the West Coast railway line.

BUDGET Travelodge on Queen’s Street

Another options is the Travelodge on Queen Street in the centre of the city. For the other end of the spectrum, i.e. five star luxury, try Blysthwood Square.

Overall, I enjoyed having the theme of Charles Rennie Mackintosh to pursue. It took me to venues I hadn’t considered before, but for more attractions consider…

Top Things to Do in Glasgow…

Top Things to Do in Glasgow FOR FREE…

Our Story – Mackintosh Trail Glasgow

We opted for the car, driving from Aberdeen to Glasgow. In Glasgow we simply walked, used public transport or hailed the occasional taxi.

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