Little is known of the manual workers who constructed maior Victorian buildings, but JOSEPH SHARPLES of the Hunterian, University of Glasgow, has researched about 100 of the 900 masons, joiners, bricklayers, etc. working here between 1867 and 1871. Their recruitment, prior experiences, circumstances while working, and subsequent careers, shows this famous West End building in […]

EILEEN ROSS reflects on Glasgow’s promotion of wellbeing and provision of mental health care over 200 years, in a historically rich journey from Glasgow’s first Institution at Dobbie’s Loan, to Gartnavel Royal Hospital today. This is the last time her talk will appear in WestFest. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to […]

Many us love the “quirkiness” of our buildings, places and spaces - but what does this mean anyway? ANN LAIRD of Friends of Glasgow West presents a visual tour, and considers the influences impacting their future. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a seat! Advance booking only required […]

Historian and author GORDON URQUHART explores the history of Hillhead, from its origins as a holding of the powerful Gibson family and its haphazard development as a Victorian suburb, to its heyday as an independent but short-lived Burgh. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a seat! Advance booking […]

In this special talk and film screening, Hunterian Curator of Mackintosh and Applied Art JOSEPH SHARPLES, and National Library of Scotland Moving Image Curator ANN CAMERON will discuss Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s presence in the West End of Glasgow and his influence through built and unbuilt designs. Book: tinyurl.com/CRMWestEnd START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY […]

Celebrating Glasgow’s stunning architecture and cityscape, the film shows the city’s burgeoning wealth driving innovation in architecture, planning and design. Interviews with key experts include John Hume and Gavin Stamp. Archive footage explores the work of ‘Greek’ Thomson, Charles Wilson and C.R. Mackintosh. (60 minutes) START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to […]

Historian and author GORDON URQUHART leads a historical ramble in the ancient and evolving village of Partick, discussing the old milling and industrial sites on the Kelvin and recent archaeological discoveries. BOOK HERE: TINYURL.COM/GLASGOWWESTFEST

FIONA SINCLAIR, conservation Architect, looks at the output of Victorian architect Charles Wilson, which in Glasgow included the Gartnavel Royal Asylum, the Queen’s Rooms, and Free Church College. He is most closely associated with the Park Circus development, and assisted Sir Joseph Paxton with the layout of Kelvingrove Park. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE […]

What inspired the architecture of the Arlington? Dr AILSA BOYD will examine an extraordinary book on the Alhambra published by designer Owen Jones and discuss how it inspired the Victorian swimming pool and its unique Turkish bath. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a seat! Advance booking only […]

Join Dr ANDREW HOOLACHAN for a talk on rethinking Glasgow's relationship with rain. His influential report, which Glasgow City Council passed a motion on, moves beyond technical drainage to focus on the everyday lived experience of a wet climate. Dr Hoolachanwill discuss how we can design urban spaces that not only manage rainfall but embrace […]

Historian ANN LAIRD checks out the leisure facilities around the Victorian West End. Cricket, bowls, curling, swimming, football and tennis clubs were plentiful, and those just taking the air, used the wonderful "West End Park", now Kelvingrove, and the many private pleasure gardens. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure […]

Historian and author ANN LAIRD explores Partickhill, investigating some of the places and buildings that consistently charm and delight visitors and residents, and considering influences that may shape their future. BOOK HERE: TINYURL.COM/GLASGOWWESTFEST

GARY NISBET created the Glasgow - City of Sculpture website, a key resource on the sculptors, architects, foundries etc who made Glasgow a city of international renown. His fully illustrated talk covers the history of the sculpture in Glasgow’s West End. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a […]

NIALL MURPHY, Director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust describes the Trust’s work supporting the protection, repair and promotion of Glasgow’s built heritage, highlighting projects like ‘Greek’ Thomson’s St Vincent Street Church and Egyptian Halls, and noting interest in Union Corner. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a seat! […]

GORDON BARR of ScottishCinemas.org covers the full range of Glasgow’s cinema history, from converted roller-skating rinks to the finest thirties art deco super-cinemas: cinemas that were, cinemas that are, and cinemas that might have been. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a seat! Advance booking only required for […]

Historian GORDON URQUHART will discuss the development of the often-overlooked neighbourhoods of Broomhill and Balshagray, from ancient estates to the early Victorian villas of local shipbuilders, and from Edwardian tenements to the devastation wrought by postwar expressway and tunnel works. START 7PM | DOORS 6.45PM FREE ENTRY Arrive early to be sure of a seat! […]