WestFest

Gordon Urquhart, author and historian, will present an illustrated talk on the development of Partick from its earliest days as a medieval milling centre and bishopric retreat through to its formative years of heavy industry in the 19th century. The archaeological discovery of the Bishop’s Castle site in Beith Street a few years ago, will […]

Glasgow has long since claimed the tenement as its own, but there are examples of this most durable and desirable of urban housing models across the country, with particularly good tenements up and down the west coast. Join Fiona Sinclair, a conservation architect based in Partick, to hear about the architects, builders, legislation and construction […]

Glasgow University's new Western Campus is rapidly expanding with the completion of the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, Clarice Pears building, Advanced Research Centre (ARC) and Adam Smith Business School. These new buildings surround the central open space of St Mungo's Square and the innovative Rain Gardens, which together form an attractive new public pedestrian […]

Websters Theatre, formerly Lansdowne Parish Church, was an exceptional building needing new life and restoration. It now offers a theatre space seating 182, with a successful community space, and its new name refers to the nationally acclaimed stained glass designer Alf Webster. David Robertson, Director of Four Acres Charitable Trust, examines the typical multiple challenges […]

We're all aware of the need to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise the heating in existing tenement flats. Chris Morgan will shed light on practical measures to enhance our living spaces while minimising our carbon footprint. Steve Luker will examine the prospects for renewable energy development in Scotland and describe a feasibility study funded by […]

Rowena Statt, local resident and architect, presents old maps and archive images to explain the Victorian evolution of North Kelvinside, when speculative building rapidly consumed the R. Kelvin's beautiful wooded north bank. The tenements, terraces and villas remain, still in demand today, as are churches, shops, schools, bridges and even an industrial relic, the North […]

What organised sports were around in Victorian west end? Ann Laird offers a historical overview of a wide range of activities available around Woodlands, Park, Hillhead, Partick, Dowanhill, Hyndland and Kelvinside. From the Arlington baths and swimming pond, to nearby Burnbank Grounds and beyond, there was cricket, bowls, curling, football and tennis, not to mention […]

Exceptional and internationally celebrated Glaswegian macro photographer David Hamilton (@weemadbeasties), shares his knowledge and passion for the mesmerizing world of macro photography; unveiling the remarkable beauty within our everyday surroundings, especially insects and spiders. Presented in conjunction with the Hunterian Museum Entomology collection, and Glasgow's GALLANT climate resilience project. For more info - info@westfest.uk And, […]