Mackintosh Appeal
Donate todayPlease help us to protect Charles Rennie Mackintosh's legacy
From January 2024, the National Trust for Scotland now proudly safeguards two architectural gems by Charles Rennie Mackintosh — the Hill House and Mackintosh at the Willow. Mackintosh (1868–1928) was a luminary in Scottish architecture, design and art, and he left an indelible mark on the Arts and Crafts movement. Renowned for his avant-garde approach, he seamlessly melded traditional Scottish elements with influences from Japanese design and the art nouveau style.
His architectural masterpieces epitomise his dedication to functional yet aesthetically pleasing structures. Beyond architecture, Mackintosh’s contributions extended to furniture design, watercolours and graphic art, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in design history and the early 20th-century modernist movement.
Donate today to help us protect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s legacy.
The Hill House
Built from 1902 to 1904 for Glasgow book publisher Walter Blackie, the Hill House stands as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s domestic masterpiece. In collaboration with his wife, artist Margaret Macdonald, Mackintosh designed almost every facet of this unique building, from the structure itself to the furniture and textiles within.
A revolutionary designer, Mackintosh incorporated cutting-edge materials and techniques in his architectural triumph. However, the external render has proven susceptible to water ingress over the past 120 years, exacerbated by the west coast’s wet climate. The walls became saturated and started to crumble, with water threatening the interiors.
To prevent further damage, we are undertaking a pioneering conservation approach. In 2019, we erected the Hill House Box, a protective chainmail shelter that allows the walls to dry out. We’ve been granted planning permission to keep the Box until 2028. Over the next five years, our goal is to make the Hill House watertight and restore its world-famous interiors to their former glory.
Mackintosh at the Willow
Dating to 1903, Mackintosh at the Willow is the last remaining original tea rooms building among a number designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald for Glasgow entrepreneur Miss Kate Cranston. These tea rooms quickly became a popular setting for socialising in the early 20th century, especially for women seeking a safe space in which to enjoy refreshments and conversation. Recognised globally in architectural histories as one of Scotland’s most important contributions to modernism, the tea rooms were highly influential in Europe and beyond from the time of their opening.
Saved and refurbished between 2014 and 2018 by Celia Sinclair Thornqvist MBE and the Willow Tea Rooms Trust, the tea rooms faced challenges due to the cumulative effects of the Covid pandemic and street closures caused by the second Glasgow School of Art fire in 2018. With support from members, donors and external assistance, we have secured this significant property for the nation, preventing its imminent closure.
Mackintosh at the Willow joins our cluster of properties in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, including the nearby Tenement House, Holmwood in Cathcart, and Greenbank Garden in Clarkston. All of these places complement Mackintosh at the Willow in telling the stories of Glasgow’s social history; the evolution of Mackintosh’s vision is extraordinarily represented at the Hill House in Helensburgh, a short train journey away.
Caring for the Hill House and Mackintosh at the Willow is part of the fundamental charitable purpose of the National Trust for Scotland – to save, protect and make accessible Scotland’s outstanding heritage. Please, if you can, donate today to help us protect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s legacy.
Featured Places
The Hill House
Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece turns art into a home.
Mackintosh at the Willow
The original Willow Tea Rooms Building
Read next
Mackintosh at the Willow joins the Trust
The famous Mackintosh-designed tea rooms on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow have joined the portfolio of special places in our care.
Digging deep into the condition of the Hill House
Research into the condition of the walls at the Hill House allows for cautious optimism, but the clock is still ticking on Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s masterpiece.
The Great Eight at the Hill House
Rachel Thompson, Visitor Services Manager at the Hill House, tells us about her favourite parts of the property.
Hill House: options for the future
How will the National Trust for Scotland proceed with the conservation of this unique building?