Events

See list below for our upcoming events.

Glasgow 850 Talk: The Blysthwood Festival: The Making of Glasgow’s Blysthwood
May
2

Glasgow 850 Talk: The Blysthwood Festival: The Making of Glasgow’s Blysthwood

Grame Smith reveals the history of Blythswood.

Graeme Smith on the making of Glasgow’s first New Town built on the historic Lands of Blythswood.

See and hear about the making of Glasgow’s first New Town built on the historic Lands of Blythswood. Up and over Blythswood Hill, creating all the streets west of a very new Buchanan Street.

Including the creation by weaver William Harley of its streets, first townhouses, vast pleasure gardens, first indoor public baths in Scotland and the first hygienic dairy in Europe. And calico printer James Scott’s expansion of Blythswood to include Bothwell Street and its links west following the Clyde.

With experience in building New Towns and the renewal of cities and economies, Graeme Smith writes and illustrates city life, growth and changes involving businesses, international trading, education and entertainment. He has helped campaigns for the retention and re-uses of important buildings from the formative years of the New Glasgow Society and the Scottish Georgian Society onwards.

This talk is in conjunction with the Blythswood Festival.

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Glasgow850 Talk: The Blysthwood Festival: The Clyde and Glasgow Harbour
May
9

Glasgow850 Talk: The Blysthwood Festival: The Clyde and Glasgow Harbour

From a river 15 inches deep in places at low tide, the Clyde made Glasgow the greatest port in Scotland, with 12 miles of docks and quays.

The largest town on the Clyde by the thirteenth century, Glasgow had ‘the Freedom of the River from Broomilaw to the Clochstane’ to the oceans and international trading. Even though it was only 15 inches deep in places at low tide. Glasgow became the greatest port in Scotland, with 12 miles of docks and quays, and the world centre of shipbuilding.

Travel though time, making the Clyde deep and useful, nourish invention, science, technology and education, start major shipping companies, engineering industries and shipbuilding of international renown. And regeneration when required.

With experience in building New Towns and the renewal of cities and economies, Graeme Smith writes and illustrates city life, growth and changes involving businesses, international trading, education and entertainment. His family has included sea captains, engineers and a marine superintendent.

This talk is held in conjunction with the Blythswood Festival.

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May
21

ATS Talks: William McInnes: a Mercantile Collector in early 20th century Glasgow

One of the many public spirited citizens that have enriched the Collections held within Kelvingrove is William McInnes. Between 1910 and 1944 McInnes amassed a significant collection of French Impressionist, Glasgow Boy and Scottish Colourist paintings which he bequeathed to the City of Glasgow. In 1944 the bequest catapulted the French representation in the civic collections of Glasgow to major significance.

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The Bruce Plan for Glasgow
May
23

The Bruce Plan for Glasgow

Overview

Fergus Sutherland looks at the Bruce Plan, a proposal to almost completely replace the city centre....

By the mid-20th century, Glasgow faced severe urban challenges. Rapid industrialization during the 19th century had created dense tenement housing, much of it overcrowded and lacking basic amenities. Large sections of the population lived in poor conditions, with high rates of disease and poverty.

In 1942, with the Second World War still raging around the globe, the city’s Master of Works, Robert Bruce, was tasked with reimagining the city and so what became known as the ‘Bruce Plan for Glasgow’ was published in 1945. Through the demolition of the historic city centre it set out an ultra-ambitious, ultra-modern vision to transform Glasgow, addressing overcrowding, industrial decline, and poor urban conditions. Although now a byword for misguided planning strategies in general, it had a lasting influence on the city’s development and set the scene for the remoulding of both the city and the surrounding region for decades to come.

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125 Years On: Glasgow’s Great Exhibition of 1901
Jun
6

125 Years On: Glasgow’s Great Exhibition of 1901

Overview

Find out about the 1901 exhibition, the second international exhibition to be held in Glasgow.

Find out about the many interesting events that led up to the mounting of the 1901 exhibition which was the second international exhibition to be held in Glasgow. It was a celebration of the art and industry of the 19th century at the dawn of the 20th century. A wide selection of exhibitors from some of the many countries that took part, and who built special pavilions, will be discussed.

A number of the Glasgow Boys were involved in the organising committees, and the art collector, William Burrell, was also an important member within a number of committees. This amazing event was recorded by contemporary artists and photographers who relished the spectacle of the opulent buildings located in the wonderful setting of Kelvingrove Park, complete with gondoliers punting along the River Kelvin. One of the aims of the exhibition was to inaugurate Kelvingrove Art Gallery, one of only two buildings to remain when the site was cleared after the close of the exhibition.

Hildegarde Berwick studied art history and museum studies at Glasgow University and Manchester University. She has worked as a Curator in various galleries across Scotland and also for Scottish charities in a governance role. Hildegarde is now retired and is pursuing several research projects.

Book Tickets
Book Tickets
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François Foucart: The Father of Physical Fitness in Glasgow
Jun
20

François Foucart: The Father of Physical Fitness in Glasgow

Overview

To coincide with Glasgow hosting the Commonwealth Games, Gary Nisbet looks at the life of someone who shaped the city's attitude to sport.

As Glasgow and Melbourne host the 2026 Commonwealth Games in July-August, sculpture historian Gary Nisbet reveals the story of Frenchman François Foucart (1793-1862), the 'Father of Physical Fitness in Glasgow', and the role of his son, Dr. Louis Foucart (1820-1899) as the 'Father of Physical Fitness in Australia', together with their founding of what is now Strathclyde University's sports faculty at the old Andersonian College in George Street in the 1830s.

Gary Nisbet is a researcher and historian with a special interest in sculpture, and the initiator of glasgowsculpture.com.

Reserve a Free Spot
Reserve a Free Spot
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Glasgow 850 Talk: The Ancient and Historical Village of Patrick
Apr
11

Glasgow 850 Talk: The Ancient and Historical Village of Patrick

An illustrated talk by Gordon Urquhart 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 recent archaeological discoveries on the Bishop’s Castle site will also feature.

Gordon Urquhart is an historian, author and educator with forty years’ experience in Scotland’s heritage sector.

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‘Greek’ Thomson’s Walmer Crescent, Curving in Straight Lines
Oct
23

‘Greek’ Thomson’s Walmer Crescent, Curving in Straight Lines

Thursday, 23rd October at 6.30pm, Glasgow City Heritage Trust, 54 Bell Street, Glasgow

‘Greek’ Thomson’s Walmer Crescent, Curving in Straight Lines

When constructed, Alexander Thomson’s Walmer Crescent enjoyed countryside views and was home to merchants and professional men. Dominic d’Angelo looks at the history of the Crescent and the people who lived there.

Dominic d’Angelo is Chair of The Alexander Thomson Society.

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