Step into 1870s Glasgow: Wax fruit costumes and events at Holmwood House

This weekend Holmwood House hosts a special programme of Victorian themed events to celebrate the re-release of Guy McCrone's Wax Fruit trilogy!

Article Source: Holmwood House
Last Updated: 24 September 2025 15:03

Image of Molly Windsor as Bel Moorhouse by Mark Mainz, pictured at Holmwood House

This weekend, in partnership with Sarah Purser of Little White Rose Films, the National Trust for Scotland’s Holmwood House hosts a special programme of Victorian themed events to celebrate the re-release of Guy McCrone’s Wax Fruit trilogy — a sweeping tale of ambition set in 1870s Glasgow.

First published in 1947, the Wax Fruit Trilogy went on to become a New York Times bestseller and one of Scotland’s most popular works of fiction. The books have now been republished, fuelled by the growing buzz around the planned TV adaptation. While the series has not yet been commissioned, anticipation for the project has sparked fresh interest in McCrone’s story and brought it to a new generation of readers.

Visitors to Holmwood will be able to explore the historic villa at their own pace, with guides sharing stories about its striking design, the ambitious architect behind it, the industrial city it inhabited, and how the National Trust for Scotland restored it to its former glory. Thanks to the team developing the Wax Fruit TV adaptation, guests will also enjoy a unique exhibition of costumes from the teaser trailer, designed by Eleanor Baker under the guidance of Executive Producer Sarah Purser of Little White Rose Films. The display will be accompanied by production stills and behind-the-scenes insights from the teaser, filmed on location at Holmwood itself.

The weekend also offers the chance to experience Victorian Glasgow through a variety of interactive sessions. In the Drawing Room, visitors can learn more about life as a woman in the 19th century, from fashion and etiquette to the rules and expectations that shaped daily life. An interactive tea-tasting session will introduce some of the blends that were popular in Victorian parlours. In the Dining Room, guests can design their own book bag inspired by Holmwood’s interiors before enjoying a hot drink in the café, included in the event. Meanwhile, a lively dance workshop will invite participants to step into the ballroom culture of 1870s Glasgow, with local masters teaching the spirited Galop and refined Quadrilles alongside tips on etiquette.

Sarah Purser, Executive Producer of the planned TV series, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Wax Fruit trilogy back in print. Guy McCrone’s powerful story of ambition, family and at a time when Glasgow was second city of the empire still resonates nearly 80 years after it was first published. Bringing the costumes and creative vision of our adaptation into Holmwood House — a place that mirrors the spirit of the story’s era — is a wonderful way to celebrate both the books and the city that inspired them.”

“Holmwood House—its striking design and distinctive colour palette—has shaped the entire look of our costumes and production design. Bringing the costumes back into the house feels like a perfect full circle.”

Tickets are selling fast for this special weekend at Holmwood House which offers the chance to see Wax Fruit brought to life within one of Scotland’s most important historic houses. With costumes on display, interactive workshops, and rich storytelling, visitors can experience the world of 19th-century ambition, fashion, and society first-hand.

Tickets available via Eventbrite.

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