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.
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
Latest Glasgow News
Silverburn breaks fundraising record for Glasgow Childrens Hospital Charity
Silverburn, has announced a record-breaking amount has been raised in 2024 in support of its long-standing charity partner, Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
READ MORE
Pigeon Shrine FrightFest announces 2025 Glasgow Film Festival line up
FrightFest, the UK's top horror film festival, returns to Glasgow Film Festival for its 20th year. Expect terrifying world premieres, short films and more all at the iconic Glasgow Film Theatre!
READ MORE
Border Caravans Announced as Headline Sponsor of the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show
The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show is delighted to announce Border Caravans as the new headline sponsor for this year's event.
READ MORE
Hopeful parents across Glasgow are invited to adoption event
Kibble Adoption, the newly launched service from the children's care charity, is inviting people to join them for an event that highlights the benefits of adoption for both parents and children.
READ MORE
David Hayman leads fresh new production of Death Of A Salesman at The Pavilion Theatre
One of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman explodes onto the stage in this fresh new production led by acclaimed actor David Hayman.
READ MORE
Tron Theatre presents a modern take on A View From The Bridge
Tron Theatre Company is delighted to be presenting the award-winning play A View From The Bridge written by American playwright Arthur Miller.
READ MORE
World Gaelic Week unveils largest programme to date
Seachdain na Gàidhlig has unveiled details of its most diverse, ambitious and largest programme to date, bringing together speakers, learners and enthusiasts from across Scotland and beyond.
READ MORE
Eat Happy returns to itison
itison's annual Eat Happy promotion is back with more than 100 of Scotland's best loved venues taking part including Sloans bringing back its unbelievable mac and cheese deal for only £2!
READ MORE
Extra_Ordinary new restaurant to open in Finnieston
A new pan-Asian powerhouse that seamlessly blends Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisines will open this month in Glasgow Finnieston.
READ MORE
Govan group Dates N Mates awarded Asda Foundation Grant
Asda’s charity, The Asda Foundation, has awarded £400 to Scotland's friendship charity run by and for adults with learning disabilities.
READ MORE
Stay Active this January at Gravity Active
Don’t let the shorter days and chilly weather get you down this January, stay active and experience boundless fun at Gravity Active!
READ MORE
New fund invites Glasgow community groups to roll out wheelie good ideas encouraging local participation in physical activity
Local organisations are being encouraged to apply for support from a new fund designed to increase public participation in cycling and wheeled urban sports.
READ MORE
The reels on the bus
Innis & Gunn celebrated Celtic Connections, which kicks off this week, with a 'jig on, jig off' bus tour featuring trad band Gnoss which started and ended at different taprooms.
READ MORE
Sci Fi Galactic Adventures exhibition opening at Riverside Museum
Glasgow's Riverside Museum is giving visitors a chance to step into a galaxy far, far away and experience the magic of the world’s favourite space saga.
READ MORE
The Quay raises thousands in 2024 for local charities
Staff from the multi award-winning entertainment complex in the Southside of Glasgow ended 2024 by supporting nine charities throughout the year and raising £8650 for a range of wonderful causes.
READ MORE
Silverburn announces record breaking footfall in 2024 with new retail and leisure additions to boost 2025 growth
Silverburn, Glasgow's leading retail and leisure destination, has announced a record-breaking year, surpassing its previous record year in 2023 by 42,000 visitors.
READ MORE
Strike a PAWse: Brand new Valentine event for dogs at Dobbies
Dobbies is encouraging paw-rents across the UK to show their pooches some love this Valentine's Day at its brand-new dog event that will raise money for national dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival announces biggest programme for 2025
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has unveiled the line up for the 2025 festival, which will be its biggest ever event, with over 550 shows taking place in venues across the city!
READ MORE
BrewDog launches brand new Touchdown Lager ahead of big game watch parties in Glasgow and Edinburgh
BrewDog, is partnering with Tesco to launch a brand new grid-iron inspired Wingman Lager. If only there was a massive game coming up that it could tie-in perfectly with...
READ MORE
Brace yourselves, burger lovers... Veganuary just got an upgrade!
Veganuary is well and truly underway and Fat Hippo's BurgerLab has been cooking up a limited-edition vegan masterpiece that proves going vegan doesn't mean skimping on the good stuff!
READ MORE
Glasgow counts down to premier winter festival Celtic Connections 2025
Glasgow, a UNESCO City of Music, is counting down to hosting the premier winter festival Celtic Connections, in partnership with Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Calling all Gingers!
The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a free ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 12th January!
READ MORE
Announcing the Shish Mahal SauceOff Festival, coming to Glasgow this Summer
In celebration of their rich heritage and the vibrant hot sauce culture that has emerged globally, Shish Mahal is thrilled to announce the inaugural Shish Mahal SauceOff Festival, coming in Summer!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries breaks fundraising record for Childrens Hospital Charity for second year running
The centre, which launched a series of festive fundraising initiatives in collaboration with the charity, raised more than £75K, surpassing last year's total by £17K.
READ MORE
First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney launches the Doddie Aid 2025 campaign at Murrayfield stadium.
READ MORE
Christmas is officially here... the IRN BRU Carnival launches for the festive season
Today, Friday 20 December, the IRN-BRU Carnival officially opens to the public, bringing all the fun of the fair to Glasgow's SEC for the 105th year!
READ MORE
Back by popular demand: Murder on the Midnight Express returns to Somewhere By Nico
Back by popular demand, Murder on the Midnight Express is making its highly anticipated return to Somewhere by Nico in Edinburgh and Glasgow for a limited time only.
READ MORE
Glasgow Mat Pilates Studio looks to add NEW Classes to bring people together
Move Train Eat is set to grow its timetable in 2025 with the aim of helping people move better and connect with like-minded people, as they enter new phases of life.
READ MORE
Room to Recharge: Kimpton Hotels in Scotland launch new wellness program, Stay Well
Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched 'Stay Well', a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests 'feel good, travel better, and stay well' while travelling.
READ MORE
Wicked fans in Scotland invited to special Sing Along screenings at Vue this Boxing Day
After becoming one of the most popular big screen releases of 2024, Vue is excited to announce that an extra special sing-along version of Wicked is heading to the big screen this Boxing Day.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links