A day for researchers, enthusiasts, and anyone with a passion for tea to explore the history, culture, and proliferation of tea in Scotland.
The annual Scottish Food Heritage Symposium returns on March 28th 2025! Organised by the University of Glasgow’s College of Arts & Humanities and Tenement Kitchen, this year’s highly anticipated symposium will explore the history, culture, and proliferation of tea. It will be an opportunity for researchers, enthusiasts, and anyone with a passion for tea to connect, explore Scotland’s relationship with tea, and experience how the rich history of Scottish food can be used as a tool for learning.
Held in collaboration with the historic and iconic Mackintosh at the Willow in Glasgow, the symposium will delve into the impact of tea on Scottish culture, from the social phenomenon of Mrs Cranston’s legendary tearooms to the global reverberations of the tea trade. Attendees will be treated to a day of talks, presentations, and live demonstrations, offering a multi-faceted journey through the history and heritage of tea.
Highlights of the day include:
Mrs Cranston and the history of Glasgow’s tearooms: a keynote talk from Perilla Kinchin, author of Taking Tea with Mackintosh: The Story of Miss Cranston’s Tearooms, Miss Cranston: Patron of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and Tea and Taste: The Glasgow Tea Rooms, 1875-1975.
Tea, International Practices, and Art: explore Japanese tea ceremonies, Chinese tea provenance, the material culture of tea, and how we curate and understand tea in Scotland today.
Do you take sugar? Historical talks on tea smuggling, the dark history of sugar as a product of Caribbean slavery, and explorations of how sugar came to be part of Scottish cultural identity.
Cakes of Afternoon Tea: Uncover the creative confections inspired by the rise of afternoon tea, from shortbread to empire biscuits, and the historical Scottish recipes.
The event will also feature a curated selection of tea tastings, samplings, and a display of historical artefacts related to tea culture in Scotland.
To enquire further please contact obraid@nts.org.uk or telephone 0141 204 1903
For information on accessibility please visit www.mackintoshatthewillow.com/accessbility
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
All information (whether in text or photographs) is supplied in good faith but should not be relied upon as being a statement of representation or fact.GOT AN EVENT TO SHARE? It's free to post your events on What's On Glasgow, click here to find out more!
Want to be the first to hear about what's happening in Glasgow? Follow us on Facebook and join the What's On Scotland Group!Join Mackintosh at the Willow on Saturday 14th February to make your own Glasgow Style-inspired stained glass window hanger with artist and tutor Matthew Donnelly.
READ MOREIn this talk at Mackintosh at the Willow, historian Lorraine Murray will look at the two important patrons who supported Charles Rennie Mackintosh during his career.
READ MOREJoin metalworker and tutor Bryony Knox for this workshop at Mackintosh at the Willow and learn how to make your own Glasgow Style-inspired embossed copper box!
READ MORELearn how to create Glasgow Style earrings with tutor Laura Murray, inspired by the colour palette of Margaret Macdonald's Salon de Luxe gesso panel at Mackintosh at the Willow!
READ MORECelebrate the brighter days and add some luxury to your dining table, decorate a real ceramic plate with your own design, inspired by Kate Cranston's favourite crockery – the Willow Pattern Plate!
READ MOREJoin the team at Mackintosh at the Willow and Dr Yupin Chung for a unique tea-tasting event exploring specially selected teas from around the world!
READ MORELearn how to create a botanical plaster cast with tutor Hannah Gregory, inspired by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh plaster casts in the front saloon of Mackintosh at the Willow!
READ MORELearn how to create a watercolour landscape with tutor Kayleigh McCallum, inspired by the Charles Rennie Mackintosh's watercolour landscapes painted at Port Vendres.
READ MORELearn how to create a stencilled fabric panel with tutor Astrid Weigel, inspired by Glasgow Style artists such as Margaret Macdonald and George Walton at Mackintosh at the Willow!
READ MORELearn how to create a hand bound book with tutor Toben Lewis, inspired by Glasgow Style artists such as Talwin Morris and Ethel Larcombe, at Mackintosh at the Willow!
READ MORE
If you want to enhance your public speaking skills or learn from seasoned speakers, join Glasgow Toastmasters at their next meeting!
READ MORE
The Old Glasgow Club hosts regular talks and occasional events for people interested in Glasgow, its environs, its history and its people!
READ MORE
The Glasgow Gathering of Quilters hold a monthly programme of talks at Heart of Scotstoun Community Centre between September and June... all welcome!
READ MORE
If you enjoy listening, discussing, and debating, and want to learn more about disciplines old and new, then join The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow at one of their regular lectures!
READ MORE
The David Elder lecture series at Glasgow Science Centre presents a line-up of fascinating talks by expert astronomers, spaceflight pioneers, award-winning science writers and broadcasters.
READ MORE
A lecture about spiritual healing and help through the teaching of Bruno Groening is taking place in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Learn some fascinating facts about space then search the skies for constellations and planets on one of Mugdock Country Park's Stargazing nights!
READ MORE
Don't miss an unforgettable evening at The King's Theatre Glasgow celebrating one of the most iconic achievements in Scottish football... Rangers' legendary 9 in a Row era!
READ MORE
St Mungo, patron saint of Glasgow, is celebrated during the city's official St Mungo Festival held annually in January!
READ MORE