Glasgow School of Art

Museum Art school famous for Mackintosh-designed campus building

Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow School of Art building defined early‑20th‑century design; despite severe fire damage in 2014 and 2018, the site remains central to architecture tours and the city’s creative scene.

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The Glasgow School of Art is a historic art and design school in Glasgow, Scotland, best known for its original Mackintosh Building designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The Mackintosh Building is regarded as one of the defining works of early 20th-century architecture in Britain.

The school’s signature building was designed and constructed under Mackintosh at the turn of the 20th century and became an emblem of Glasgow’s architectural heritage. The Mackintosh Building was badly damaged by fires in 2014 and again in 2018; subsequent conservation and restoration efforts have been ongoing.

The campus sits on Renfrew Street in central Glasgow, within the city’s West End educational and cultural district, with the Reid Building positioned directly adjacent to the original Mackintosh site.

  • Mackintosh building and fires: The Mackintosh Building is the school's signature work by Charles Rennie Mackintosh; it suffered two major fires in 2014 and 2018 that caused extensive damage and led to a long-term restoration programme.
  • Campus arrangement: The Reid Building opened in 2014 and remains the main operational campus building for teaching and exhibitions while restoration work continues on the Mackintosh Building.

What to See #

  • Mackintosh Building (original): The original Mackintosh Building on Renfrew Street, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and constructed between the late 1890s and early 1900s, widely regarded as a key example of early modernist and Art Nouveau architecture in Britain.
  • Reid Building (modern extension): The Reid Building, a modern addition completed in 2014 designed by Steven Holl Architects, located across Renfrew Street and housing studios, galleries and teaching spaces that form part of the Glasgow School of Art campus.
Glasgow School of Art
167 Renfrew St, Glasgow G3 6RQ, United Kingdom
55.8661, -4.2637
Admission to public galleries varies; university campus generally accessible (special exhibitions may charge)

How to Get to Glasgow School of Art #

Glasgow Queen Street and Central stations are a 10-20 minute walk away; the city’s bus network serves Renfrew Street directly. From Buchanan Bus Station it’s about a 10‑minute walk.

Tips for Visiting Glasgow School of Art #

  • Check the Glasgow School of Art's official site for current visitor policies-parts of the Mackintosh building have been closed or under restoration following fires in 2014 and 2018.
  • If the Mackintosh building is closed, seek out the university's exhibitions at other campus venues which often display student work and collections.
  • Combine a visit with a walking tour of Mackintosh buildings in Glasgow for architectural context.

Best Time to Visit Glasgow School of Art #

Check the school's website before visiting-access can be restricted due to conservation work.

Spring-Summer (Apr-Sep)
Apr-Sep · 8-20°C (46-68°F)
Longer daylight for walking Glasgow's architecture trails, but busier with tourists.
Autumn-Winter (Oct-Mar)
Oct-Mar · 2-12°C (36-54°F)
Darker afternoons and quieter interiors; check opening times for campus exhibitions.

Weather & Climate near Glasgow School of Art #

Climate

Glasgow School of Art's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 19°C. Abundant rainfall (1206 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 30 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyJuneSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (141 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

141 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.6h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.4h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

42 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

60 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
14.0h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
15°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
16.0h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

62 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

63 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
17.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
16.6h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
11° 19°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

85 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
14.8h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
12.6h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

135 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
10.3h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

133 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.1h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

36 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
95%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

130 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.9h daylight

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