Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born in Glasgow in 1868, and even as a young man his talent as a designer was quickly recognised as he attended the Glasgow School of Art and bagged an architectural apprenticeship.
Visit Scotland reports that “Mackintosh believed an architect was responsible for every detail of the design of their buildings, and his interiors reflect this.”
His works have an Art Nouveau style and include iconic style choices like high-backed chairs, rose motifs and a distinctly Mackintosh-style typeface. The font is so iconic that it has featured in other popular franchises like American Horror Story which used it for their logo.
To celebrate the legacy of the Scottish architect, here are 13 of his attractions from his hometown of Glasgow.
9. Scotland Street School Museum
Scotland Street School was designed by Mackintosh and now serves as a museum that Visit Scotland calls a “must-see” for fans of the renowned Scottish architect. The former school was constructed between 1903 and 1906. Glasgow Life reports that the building is currently closed for a "major refurbishment", for more information check out the Glasgow City Council website. Photo: via WikiCommons
10. Mackintosh Club
The Mackintosh Club is located in Helensburgh (less than an hour away from Glasgow) and it holds a ‘newly discovered’ Mackintosh work, his first complete commission from 1894. According to their website, the club has “regular travelling exhibitions, small music performances, talks and tours.” Photo: via WikiCommons
11. Martyrs' Public School
The Martyrs’ Public School is located in Parson Street in Glasgow’s Townhead area. Commissioned in 1895, it is an earlier example of Mackintosh’s works which was built on the street where the architect himself was born. According to GNWS Travel Guide for Scotland the building is not "open to the public", but this may be organised if you make an appointment. Photo: Richard Sutcliffe via Geograph
12. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
In their 2023 article, People Make Glasgow said that Kelvingrove is another “place to view a fantastic collection of Mackintosh objects and furniture…” It includes a variety of pieces that encapsulate the ‘Glasgow Style’ movement. Photo: via WikiCommons