Visit the Burrell Collection, which reopened in 2022 following a major refurbishment and redisplay
Follow the work of key figures including Robert Adam, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Take a trip to the Isle of Bute for the lavish Victorian Mount Stuart, and explore Dumfries House, a Palladian mansion featuring an outstanding collection of 18th century furniture
“This was a first class trip, probably the best I have been on”
- ACE customer on a 2023 Glasgow: Patrons, Art & Innovation tour
Glasgow has established itself as a vibrant cultural city with activity in every area of the arts, and several of the region’s museums and great country houses have benefitted from major conservation programmes.
The magnificent Burrell Collection, amassed by Sir William Burrell (1861–1958), was bequeathed to the City of Glasgow and its purpose-built home in the beautiful Pollok Country Park has recently undergone a major refurbishment. Reopened in spring 2022, the wide-ranging and eclectic collections of fine and decorative art – which include late Gothic and early Renaissance European art, important stained glass and 19th century French painting – have been thoughtfully redisplayed.
A visit to the Burrell Collection will be at the heart of our tour exploring Glasgow’s artistic highlights. We will consider the art, architecture, crafts and historical collectors of this great industrial city, and also take in the beautiful landscape settings of some of the grand houses of the Scottish aristocracy.
Highlights within Glasgow range from the modern Riverside Museum, designed by Zaha Hadid, to the splendid and little-known neoclassical interiors of Holmwood House. Outside the city, Dumfries House, rescued from sale and the dispersal of its contents through the intervention of His Majesty The King (when Prince of Wales), is a little-altered gem designed by Robert Adam and home to Chippendale furniture made specifically for the house.
Mount Stuart, which we will visit on an excursion to the Isle of Bute, was built for the vastly wealthy 3rd Marquess of Bute, who also counted Dumfries House amongst his numerous properties. The interiors at Mount Stuart reflect the Marquess’s own distinctive taste and the influence of his friend, the architect William Burges, and embody the wonderful craftsmanship of Welsh workshops.
Further highlights will include a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, and tea at the beautifully restored ‘Mackintosh at the Willow’ tearooms.
We will stay throughout at the recently refurbished four-star Radisson Blu Hotel, a smart and contemporary property conveniently situated in the city centre.
This tour will be led by art historian Evelyn Silber, MA, PhD, FMA, FSA, formerly Director of the Hunterian Museum and Chair of the Mackintosh Society. Evelyn studied at Cambridge before becoming curator at Birmingham Museums and Art Galleries as well as Director of Leeds Museums and Galleries. She has been based in Scotland for some years, and currently works on the conservation, presentation and marketing of Scottish heritage.
Tour Director Evelyn Silber writes:
“The Burrell Collection will be a major highlight of the tour. Since its refurbishment, it is remarkably different in many respects, with much more on display. There are enlarged display areas and also some interesting visuals about the collection and what happens behind the scenes, as well as some excellent films providing information on conservation techniques, collection care and the Burrells.”
7
£2195
GLA2-24
Included: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, six breakfasts, afternoon tea at ‘Mackintosh at the Willow’ tearooms, five dinners with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £495.
