Lighthouse - Glasgow

Overview

2024 Update - the reopening date of the "Lighthouse" has not been announced at the time of writing (15 Nov 2024), but other parts of the exhibition space are open.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh originally designed the "Lighthouse" building in 1893 as offices for the Glasgow Herald newspaper. The building has been extensively modernised and now houses an exhibition about the architect, as well as changing displays with a general theme of Architecture & Design.

We recommend this as a starting point for a Mackintosh tour as it provides a good introduction to his work and has information about the other CRM attractions in the Glasgow area.

The exhibition includes detailed histories and scale models of some of his most famous buildings. There is also a display that shows his achievements and life in chronological order. Children will probably be bored, but they can release some energy by climbing up the 134 steps of the spiral staircase that leads to the Lighthouse tower.

If you are looking for unusual gifts, there is a great shop in the Lighthouse that sells very stylish (and expensive) "designer" items for the home.

The Lighthouse is located in Mitchell Lane, which is a narrow side street just off Buchanan Street, Glasgow's main shopping street. Mitchell Lane is approximately opposite the “Monsoon” shop on the pedestrianised  Buchanan Street.