Horror discovery as organ is found in bits

The MSP for Pollokshields in Glasgow objected to the organ’s removal – the only musical instrument Mackintosh designed – from a city mansion in 2014.

She only dropped her opposition when she was assured the mahogany masterpiece would be restored and placed in a museum.

However, three years after it was removed, it’s been discovered in hundreds of pieces at the back of a storage unit, covered in bubblewrap.

Last night, the First Minister’s spokeswoman said: “Nicola Sturgeon is concerned to hear that the Mackintosh organ has not yet found a permanent home where it can be protected and enjoyed by the public.

“She will be contacting Historic Scotland and Glasgow Life to find out their plans.”

For years, the organ had graced the grand residence of Sir Thomas Mason, the Victorian building entrepreneur whose company constructed Glasgow’s City Chambers.

Mackintosh was an assistant at the architectural practice of Honeyman and Keppie when he designed the Music Room for Craigie Hall in 1897.

In 2014, public officials said they had to step in and rescue the organ from impending danger, using “emergency” powers to remove it from the A-Listed building.

But little has been seen of it for the last three years since it was stripped from its home of more than a century.

Niall Murphy, chairman of the Pollokshields Heritage Trust which opposed the organ’s removal said: “To discover this musical masterpiece is sitting in pieces at the back of an industrial unit is a thoroughly depressing outcome for those who fought for it.”