Around 100 historically and architecturally siginificant buildings in Glasgow are set to open their doors next week to allow Glaswegians and visitors to the city the exclusive opportunity to see the inside of the buildings were the history of Glasgow was made.
From hidden gems like the Arlington Baths Club, to massively historical interiors like the ship of the Queen Mary - there’s a whole swathe of guided tours, trails, and events through the week of the Doors Open Day Festival 2023 next week - from September 11 to September 17.
Have a look below to check out the best buildings to visit in Glasgow this year for Doors Open Day Festival 2023.
17. Provan Hall
Provan Hall dates back to the 1470s and is one of Glasgow’s oldest surviving buildings - it’s recently undergone a £2 million renovation by Glasgow City Council and has been closed for 6 years for this renovation. Now is the best time to explore the newly renovated medieval building and gardens, take a step into its medieval past and exciting future as a community heritage hub. The Seven Lochs exhibition will be available to learn more about the natural history of the area and discovery objects available for children, families and adults to learn more about our local natural environment. | Scotsman
18. Roystonhill Spire
Roystonhill Spire is the only remaining part of Townhead-Blochairn Parish Church (built 1866) which featured glass by Cottier and Morris, and sculptures by Mossman. The church was demolished in 1997 but the Morris stained glass windows were preserved and are now in the Burrell Collection. The landmark Spire was saved by a determined community campaign, and was restored in 2001. It is now the centrepiece of a park. Historical interpretation panels were installed in 2020, which display rare images of the stained glass – and mosaics were created by the community on local history themes. Information panels describe architectural features nearby, and QR codes link to further information and an audio tour. You can check it out in person during the doors open day festival next week! | Contributed
19. Tobacco Merchant's House.
Over on Miller Street in the Merchant City you can get an insight into Georgia Glasgow through the Tobacco Merchant’s House. It is the base of the Doors Open Day organisers - visitors will get the chance to tour the home, see Palladian architectural details and see the original iron safes, once used to store the merchant’s sizeable transactions. | Contributed
20. Queen Mary
Built at Dumbarton in 1933, the ship was the largest, most luxurious and most prestigious vessel in the Clyde steamer fleet. In her heyday, TS Queen Mary carried over 13,000 passengers per week and retained the enviable accolade of “Britain’s Finest Pleasure Steamer” for over four decades. In 2023 she is celebrating her 90th anniversary year. As well as being treasured by Glaswegians (who affectionately referred to her as “the Glasgow Boat”), TS Queen Mary carried some of the most famous people of the 20th Century down the Clyde; including King George VI, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the then Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and the last Viceroy of India, Lord Mountbatten of Burma. Other famous names to step aboard included US First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Viscount Montgomery “Monty” of Alamein, and music hall legend Sir Harry Lauder. She was retired in 1977, and ultimately served as a floating pub and restaurant on the Thames for over two decades. Saved from the scrapyard in 2015, TS Queen Mary is now being restored, and is hoped to sail again in 2025. HRH The Princess Royal is the charity Royal Patron and actor Sam Neill OBE is Patron. | Contributed