Glasgow Blythswood Festival

Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum
2026-05-06 10:00 - 15:00 (Europe/London) | Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Charing Cross

In the only regimental museum in the West of Scotland, see over 300 years of regimental life and active duty of today’s Regiment around the globe, combining Glasgow’s famous Highland Light Infantry and the Royal Scots Fusiliers of Ayrshire and Glasgow, and their volunteer origins.

Follow them, their recruitment, training and soldiering around the world, in North America, continental Europe, India and Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. And the world wars of WWI and WWII, and later campaigns including Malaya, Iraq and Afghanistan. View rare collections of uniforms, equipment, medals, maps, rations, letters, pictures and other memorabilia.

Among many themes on display, witness the 71st and 74th of Foot in the Peninsula Campaign and Waterloo 1807-1815.

Join two Special Events. One in the Colonel of the Regiments Room, on the third floor. is on Thursday 7th May: Lunch time talk. 12.30-13.30 Glasgow’s Finest: Stories of the Victoria Cross, and the other is in the main gallery on Saturday 16th May: Afternoon. 14.00 -15.30 Victoria Cross displays.

More details are on the page for the 7th and for the 16th.

Guided tours, school visits, family and children’s events can be arranged.

The RHF Museum ground floor is on street level, upper floors access by stairs.

Free entry, donations welcome.

The National Piping Centre
2026-05-06 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-05 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-04 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-03 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 09:00 - 17:00 | The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 6HW, United Kingdom
The National Piping Centre, at the top of Hope Street

An international centre of music and hospitality, world class tuition and performance. Visit the Museum of Piping at The National Piping Centre to explore 300 years of Scotland’s musical history in our permanent collection, and try the bagpipes for yourself!

Enjoy fascinating films on the history, culture and music of the bagpipe – here and overseas – before trying your hand at playing this iconic Scottish instrument. Stepping through to the Pipers Tryst restaurant provides refreshment and sustenance all day and evening.

General admission is £5 for self-guided tour. Open Daily

Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm (last entry 4pm)

Saturday – Sunday 9am – 3pm (last entry 2pm)

Meet the Piper Tours

Discover the story behind Scotland’s national instrument with our Meet the Piper tour – a unique experience that brings piping history and tradition to life. Join us just before 12 noon where you will be greeted by a professional piper playing outside the building. Then guided by our piper host, you’ll explore our Museum of Piping, learn about the history and culture of the Great Highland Bagpipe. You will then be able to get hands on with the practice chanter to learn a tune and then try the bagpipes all live in this intimate setting. You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and see the instrument up close.A must-do for visitors looking for an authentic taste of Scottish heritage.

The Meet the Piper Tour is available on

Fridays and Saturdays 1st & 2nd May, 8th & 9th May and 15th & 16th May all starting at 12noon.

Entry fee is £5 and the tour is included in the entry fee

No need to book, arrive around 10 minutes before the start of the event to get your tickets on the day.

Miss Cranston, Toshie & Tea
2026-05-06 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-05 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-04 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-03 09:00 - 16:00 | The Mackintosh Tearooms, 215-217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EX, United Kingdom
The Mackintosh Tearooms, 215-217 Sauchiehall Street

At leisure, explore our celebrated Exhibition in the original Willow Tearooms in Sauchiehall Street and see and learn of the vibrant city of Glasgow in the late 1890s and early 1900s. Times of exciting change and innovation. Learn about the growth of the tea rooms and hear the successful story of entrepreneur Miss Kate Cranston and her creative collaboration with architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, and fellow designer, Margaret Macdonald. With interactive, audio and visual displays there’s plenty to get involved with.

Exhibition Entry for just £4.00 per person with Code BLYTH2026 when purchased at the Visitor Centre.

Children Under 10 Accompanied by an adult: Free

Simply drop in to visit the exhibition, open daily.

Last entry 4.00 pm.

For more information on The Mackintosh Tearooms please visit:

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-mackintosh-tearooms

‘Square Mile of Murder’ workshop
2026-05-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN, United Kingdom
The Mitchell Library, Charing Cross

Dive into the dark tales and twisted mysteries behind Glasgow’s infamous Square Mile of Murder of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Join our Special Collections librarians in the Mitchell Library to explore our resources relating to four notorious cases, and draw your own conclusions:

Madeleine SmithThe privileged daughter whose torrid love letters were read out in court. Did she murder her lover or was the case found ‘not proven’ because of her well-to-do background rather than lack of evidence?

Jessie McLachlanLucky not to be hanged, servant Jessie McLachlan still spent 15 years in Perth Prison for a horrific murder that no-one – except the judge and jury – thought she had committed. And the prime suspect? Never brought to trial for lack of evidence.

Dr Edward PritchardWhen Dr. Pritchard’s wife and mother-in-law died within a month of each other, an anonymous tip-off alerted the police to the possibility of foul play. Their bodies were exhumed, poison discovered and the philandering Pritchard became the last man to be publicly hanged in Glasgow in front of 100,000 spectators.

Oscar SlaterWrongly-identified as the man seen leaving a crime scene, Oscar Slater spent 18 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Although innocent, he happened to be foreign, Jewish and living with a woman who was not his wife.

These murders, with the exception of the case of Dr. Pritchard, remain unsolved.

This event will take place in the Old Glasgow Room of the Mitchell Library – access via Granville Street (accessible), or North Street (with steps).

Mitchell Library main entrance is in Granville Street G33 7EE

Free – but ticket required

Glasgow Film Theatre
2026-05-05 12:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-04 12:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-03 12:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-02 12:00 - 22:00 | Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow, G3 6RB, United Kingdom
Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street

The art-deco Glasgow Film Theatre in Rose Street just off Sauchiehall Street, built in 1939 as the Cosmo, has been leading the way in art cinema for decades. The three screens show 100% specialised titles, first run world and independent cinema, artists’ experimental work, rarely screened classics and undiscovered gems from countries all around the world, thematic seasons, repertory programmes, Scottish produced work, festivals, and a programme of event cinema and live broadcast.

GFT is an educational charity, a hub of activity where children, families, and young people learn about film, communities come together, and filmmakers of the future develop their careers.

Open seven days a week from 12 noon.

For daily opening times and listings go to https://www.glasgowfilm.org/home

Paisley Art Institute 137th Annual Open Exhibition
2026-05-05 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-04 10:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-02 10:00 - 19:00 | Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HU, United Kingdom
Glasgow Art Club, 185 Bath Street

In its 150th Anniversary Year, Paisley Art Institute supports and promotes art in its prize-winning 137th Annual Exhibition. With over 500 quality artworks – paintings, prints, drawings and sculpture – by 240 talented artists.

Enjoy the Institute’s home-base in the unique Glasgow Art Club and renowned main gallery with features designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Witness the very best of Scottish creativity all in one vibrant and inspiring space.

Watch painting demonstrations each week by invited artists. Enjoy also treasures of the Paisley Art Institute’s heritage collection throughout the building.

Open Mondays to Saturdays, 10am to 7pm (excluding Holiday Monday 4th)

Full catalogue available.

Free entry. Refreshments and food available.

Running from Saturday 25th April to Saturday 23rd May.

Exhibition: ‘Music, Mackintosh & Murder’
2026-05-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-04 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 12:00 - 16:00 | RGI Kelly Gallery, 118 Douglas Street, Glasgow
RGI Kelly Gallery

Set in its modern Kelly Gallery near Blythswood Square, the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts hosts a special exhibition. Inspired by the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s vibrant music scene and its popular crime stories, the gallery will host new work by current RGI members and entertain the viewers with the deadly mix of culture and crime that Glaswegians love.

The contemporary art scene in Glasgow is known for its experimental energy and strong community of artists. While much of the work is forward-looking and conceptual, the influence of Charles Rennie Mackintosh continues in the city’s creative identity. Institutions such as the Glasgow School of Art have helped shape generations of artists, linking Mackintosh’s elegant design legacy with today’s bold, contemporary practices. Our music scene is raw, energetic and constantly evolving.

Glasgow crime writer Alex Grey officially opens the exhibition on the 2nd of May.

Exhibition continuing to 13 June.

Free entry

Gerber Fine Art
2026-05-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 11:00 - 16:00 | Gerber Fine Art Gallery, 178 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 4RL, United Kingdom
Gerber Fine Art, 178 West Regent Street

Joan Eardley RSA

25 April – 30 May 2026

This Joan Eardley exhibition shows work from throughout her whole career, and includes some early drawings and paintings from her European travels after graduating from Glasgow School of Art. Eardley wrote poetically of the colours she observed around her, and there are some strong examples showing her awareness of Fauvism, strongly demonstrated in her Catterline landscapes and pastel drawings of the Glasgow children. Many of these works on show have been on loan to the major Eardley exhibitions in the Scottish National Galleries in Edinburgh and some are for sale.

Established in 1986 this gallery Gerber Fine Art is an intimate Glasgow city centre space for art enthusiasts, collectors and first-time buyers to browse through an exciting collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture by prominent 19th to 21st century British artists, Glasgow Girls & Boys, Scottish Masters, Modern British, St. Ives School and regular exhibitions of current Contemporary Scottish artists. Works on show include Elizabeth Blackadder, William Crosbie, Joan Eardley, JD Fergusson, John Houston, James Kay, Jack Knox, Sir John Lavery, William McCance, Margaret Morris, Philip Reeves, Tom H. Shanks, Euan Uglow and many others.

Free admission.

Compass Gallery
2026-05-05 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-02 11:00 - 16:00 | Compass Gallery, 178 West Regent Street, Glasgow, G2 4RL, United Kingdom
Compass Gallery, 178 West Regent Street

For 57 years, Glasgow’s Compass Gallery has been the foremost contemporary gallery in the West of Scotland. Its role as principal talent spotter of new young Scottish based painters is widely recognised. The gallery also regularly shows the more established artists who see the need to be identified with a progressive and responsive gallery later in their careers. Compass Gallery’s interests are not confined to Scottish based artists, in fact, it is an important part of its policy to bring some of the more prominent and influential British artists to Glasgow.

A not-for-profit charity, it is renowned for its support of emerging new talent and presents monthly changing exhibitions throughout the year. Works on show include Anna H. Geerdes, Peter Howson, Shona Kinloch, Jack Knox, Bet Low, Neil MacPherson, Iona Roberts, Andy Scott, Adrian Wiszniewski, Alma Wolfson, New Generation artists from the 4 Scottish Art Schools and many others.

A Mixed Exhibition will run during May.

Free admission.

Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum
2026-05-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, 518 Sauchiehall Street, Charing Cross

In the only regimental museum in the West of Scotland, see over 300 years of regimental life and active duty of today’s Regiment around the globe, combining Glasgow’s famous Highland Light Infantry and the Royal Scots Fusiliers of Ayrshire and Glasgow, and their volunteer origins.

Follow them, their recruitment, training and soldiering around the world, in North America, continental Europe, India and Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. And the world wars of WWI and WWII, and later campaigns including Malaya, Iraq and Afghanistan. View rare collections of uniforms, equipment, medals, maps, rations, letters, pictures and other memorabilia.

Among many themes on display, witness the 71st and 74th of Foot in the Peninsula Campaign and Waterloo 1807-1815.

Join two Special Events. One in the Colonel of the Regiments Room, on the third floor is on Thursday 7th May: Lunch time talk. 12.30-13.30 Glasgow’s Finest: Stories of the Victoria Cross, and the following week in the main gallery on Saturday 16th May: Afternoon. 14.00 -15.30 Victoria Cross displays.

More details are on the page for the 7th and for the 16th.

Guided tours, school visits, family and children’s events can be arranged.

The RHF Museum ground floor is on street level, upper floors access by stairs.

Free entry, donations welcome.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Mondays at One: Brass
2026-05-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Mondays at One return to the Ledger Recital Room with this performance from the Brass Department.

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Junior Conservatoire Student Concert
2026-05-02 17:15 - 18:30 | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB, United Kingdom
Students from the Junior Conservatoire lead this concert performance in the Ledger Recital Room.

The Making of Glasgow's Blythswood
2026-05-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DN, United Kingdom
The Mitchell Library, Charing Cross

A fully illustrated talk 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. Laid out in splendid style.Its prime developer was weaver William Harley building its streets, first townhouses, vast pleasure gardens, first indoor public baths in Scotland and the first hygienic dairy in Europe. Followed by calico printer James Scott’s expansion of Blythswood to include Bothwell Street and its links west following the Clyde.

Enjoy the story and colour of its streets, people, commerce and arts.

City author and campaigner Graeme Smith writes and illustrates city life, growth and changes involving businesses, international trading, education and entertainment. His book ‘Glasgow’s Blythswood’ is sold through Waterstones and here https://www.blythswoodsmith.co.uk/

Talk presented in association with the Alexander Thomson Society.

Mitchell Library main entrance is in Granville Street G33 7EE

Free – ticketing via Eventbrite.

Family Baking Session: Bake Hazelnut Shortbread
2026-05-02 11:30 - 13:30 | The Mackintosh Tearooms, 215-217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3EX, United Kingdom
The Mackintosh Tearooms, 215-217 Sauchiehall Street

Bring your family along to bake and decorate historical Scottish sweet treats to take home! In this session our Head Chef, Jaz Spears, will teach you and your family how to bake Hazelnut Shortbread.While your sweet treats are baking, we will take you on a family-friendly tour of the only remaining Mackintosh-designed tea room in the world.Workshops are suitable for children 5-12 years old, but all are welcome. Places are limited and booking is essential. All children must be accompanied by an adult. All children and any adults wishing to bake the recipe must have a booked paid place, but adults solely accompanying a child do not need to book paid places.

Part of The Scots Kitchen: Saturday Morning Baking Sessions for Families in 2026. To enquire further please contact obraid@nts.org.uk or telephone 0141 204 1903.

Guests with full price tickets are eligible to take advantage of a special 20% discount on food and drink. Discount available for a la carte and afternoon tea, excludes alcoholic drinks, tea rooms only, must be prebooked. Venue reserves the right to limit discount use at any given time. Valid only for the day of the talk. Quote SCOTSKIT26 when booking and present ticket at table to take advantage of this offer.
