You can see Mackintosh interiors at the Hunterian, visit House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park, or travel to the Hill House in Helensburgh. Each site has a different history.
This guide explains those differences, including Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh's contribution, so you can choose which to visit.
The Mackintosh House: look closely at a home
At the University of Glasgow's Hunterian, the Mackintosh House brings together the principal interiors from the Glasgow home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. The rooms have been carefully reassembled within the Hunterian Art Gallery.
The rooms have been reconstructed at the gallery using the couple's interiors and furnishings. The arrangement shows how the furniture and decoration worked together.
Look for details that recur across the furniture and walls. A repeated line or colour can help you see how a room was planned.
Admission arrangements for the house differ from those for the Hunterian's free galleries. The official page also explains significant stair access limitations and provides a virtual tour. Read it before booking, especially if particular rooms are important to your visit.
House for an Art Lover: a design given another life
House for an Art Lover stands in Bellahouston Park. Its story involves the later interpretation and construction of Mackintosh's earlier designs. The venue's own history explains how a modern team worked from the surviving plans and studied existing Mackintosh buildings to develop the project.
The building was completed long after Mackintosh's designs were made. The venue's history explains how the later team interpreted them.
The building also hosts events. Check which rooms will be open to visitors on your chosen date.
The Hill House: a separate trip to Helensburgh
The Hill House is in Helensburgh, outside Glasgow. It was commissioned by publisher Walter Blackie, with Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald contributing to the building and its interiors. The National Trust for Scotland's account of the house and its designers gives Margaret's work proper attention.
Conservation is part of the visitor experience. A protective structure around the house supports a long programme addressing water damage. Check the current visitor guide for which parts of the house and surrounding structure are accessible.
Allow a separate trip for Helensburgh, including the journey from Glasgow.
Choose a venue
For the design of an everyday home, begin with the Mackintosh House. For the interpretation of an unrealised design, consider House for an Art Lover. For architecture, family history and conservation together, investigate the Hill House.
Confirm the venue's address and current admission arrangements before travelling. Read the access information for the rooms you hope to see.
Our Glasgow guide can help you plan the rest of your time in the city.
Official venue and collection sources checked on 28 September 2026. This guide does not claim that every venue or interior is open on every date.
