The Lighthouse in Glasgow is Scotland's Centre for Design and Architecture. It was opened as part of Glasgow's status as the UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999.
The Lighthouse is the renamed conversion of the former offices of the Glasgow Herald newspaper. Completed in 1895, it was designed by the architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The centre's vision is to develop the links between design, architecture, and the creative industries, seeing these as interconnected social, educational, economic and cultural issues of concern to everyone.
Interesting architecture. Combining historical old with modern new. The place for excellent view of Glasgow. There are 172 steps to the top. A stunning view over the rooftops of central Glasgow. You cover it all from this point. The historical part of this place is worthwhile to explore and the exhibition provides the appropriate frame for that.
Andrew KannerNov 25, 2017
A fine space, masterfully subdivided by floor, showcasing various exhibitions seamlessly. While many come for the spiral staircase people pilgrimage it is the art within its walls that houses the light, one merely becomes it at night.
Karl SibandaFeb 24, 2018
Love it!! Been meaning to visit for years then finally got round to it. Most of the galleries were closed due to an event, but still well worth going for the building and views over the city...excellent!
Graham HendryJan 14, 2018
For view over Glasgow city. Climb to highest floor and there is a viewing tower. It also stores many historical facts and good to enjoy if you have time to spend. Located in a small alley within the city center shopping area, will not be hard to find because there are signs along the way
lioni sugiartoJan 6, 2018
I enjoy this, Let me think more likely! Design manifests culture, and culture rests firmly on the foundation of what we believe to be true about the world.
Hilo LinFeb 22, 2018
Beautiful place. And beautiful setting. Was at a work event and loves the decor and especially the Highland gin and cocktail!
Lulu Sheriff-CromptonApr 7, 2018
Nice and quiet place for a conference. There is a multistorey parking across the street. Elevator and escalator access to most floors. Food was not great though.
Sriram V SApr 7, 2018
Beautiful views of Glasgow from the top of this old building ,with escalators most of way up but then a lovely winding staircase for the last few floors to the viewpoint at the top ,entrance to the staircase is through a nice art gallery ,worth a look too
Paddy PurfieldMar 18, 2018
Lovely restored building. However the place is a waste of good money, it takes minutes to walk around the exhibits with staff who seemed to hide from visitors. Without the view of Glasgow city from the top it's not worth the bother.
Keith BoyleMar 30, 2018
Interesting place to visit especially if you like Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Some stunning views of the city
David McElhinneyMar 18, 2018
Fantastic art and design centre. Always new exhibitions in the many galleries within, and a striking new building on the side of one of Glasgow's classic Mackintosh structures. The Mackintosh exhibition is well-curated, and the best view of Glasgow that you could ever have is available at the top of the Mackintosh Tower. Well worth adding to your itinerary, whether you're just visiting Glasgow or have lived there all your life
Ezra Rowan WilsonApr 19, 2018
We ran into this by accident citting through an alley on the way back to our hotel. It's a nice view of the city form the 6th floor, and every floor had a small exhibit. The gift shop is nice, and has a lot of Charles Rennie Mackintosh paraphernalia. My favorite exhibit was the Best Use of Timber. It runs through May 20.
Corey PoppApr 28, 2018
A short visit. Inside you will find some workshops and/or modern art. Great views.
Mario PadillaApr 30, 2018
Great views from the top. Lots of interesting displays on each level. Gift shop on ground floor.
Pauline IrvineApr 11, 2018
Great wee hidden attraction with fantastic views from the top deck and a lovely gift shop. Didn't eat there but they have a big, spacious restaurant on an upper floor. Fully accessible by lift and escalator so suitable for disabled visitors
Liz SinclairMay 24, 2018
Great views from the viewing platform, but even better from the tower. Well worth the climb. Was a little disappointed that several of the galleries were closed to the public for private functions. Still managed to visit the Macintosh gallery. Very interesting and we'll worth a visit. They have a gift shop and surprisingly the prices were reasonable as most attractions with a gift shop tend to inflate the prices are bit.
David WilsonMay 12, 2018
Great experience with some stunning sights from the top of the lighthouse. I would really recommend it to anyone who does not live in Glasgow or does not know the city very well as you get a deeper understanding of the city itself
Tom KehoeJun 4, 2018
Lovely unexpected visit. Wish I had visited here on my first day to get more information about Mackintosh. Bit of a climb to the top but well worth it for the view.
Ray DawesJun 4, 2018
The best place to seeing around Glasgow One of among historical building in Glasgow, it was builded in 1893 and have used as office of Glasgow Herald newspaper. This building has a tower for reserves water in case of fire but for now on there is a seeing point for viewing Glasgow city. If you want to see Glasgow city you must come in but please come in the sunny day! Inside the building, there have showing galleries and cafe so you can spending half-day here.
Jupiter MarsMay 14, 2018
The Lighthouse is Glasgows hidden gems- offering the best views of the city from a birds eye viewpoint. Upside: Free entrance, friendly and helpful staff. Live piano performance. Downside: No elevator- wear sensible shoes- lots of stairs. Entrance is hidden in a dark, dirty alleyway with homeless people standing outside begging for money.
Robyn MoreauJul 13, 2018
A building designed by Glasgow favourite son Mr Charles Rennie McIntosh although you don't really get the flavour of it from the outside due to the tightness of Mitchell lane and the close proximity of the adjacent buildings. The tower itself is not by McIntosh but a later addition but has great panoramic views of the city below, so worth the visit but beware I counted 220 steps to the top!
Alan WallaceJun 25, 2018
It's a beautiful place to have a good view of Glasgow from the top, with a nice spiral staircase, the day I went sadly the top flor was closed due to an event but I hope I'll return to have a view of it as the one I saw was worth it!
Adriana ReyesJul 19, 2018
Never new this place existed, take lift up to 6th floor for a fantastic view over the city. I also believe you can take another part up outside for a better view! Gift shop sells lovely goods and not too expensive. Worth a visit and can even get a glass of wine in the cafe!
Adam KeyserAug 17, 2018
Great place to visit and it is free to enter. Take the escalator part way up and then the spiral staircase to get a great view over Glasgow. Inside is a small museum dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There is also a wee shop inside, which as usual is overpriced.
Bill BAug 2, 2018
I visited with friends for lunch at the café. There was a long queue as there wasn't a lot of staff for the number of customers. The food was really good - I had tomato & pepper soup and a BLT sandwich. The café was nice and open so my friends could pull chairs round and chat. The bathrooms had amusing signs on the door and were clean.
Emily AdamsAug 14, 2018
Interesting architecture. Combining historical old with modern new. The place for excellent view of Glasgow. There are 172 steps to the top. A stunning view over the rooftops of central Glasgow. You cover it all from this point. The historical part of this place is worthwhile to explore and the exhibition provides the appropriate frame for that.
Andrew KannerNov 25, 2017
A fine space, masterfully subdivided by floor, showcasing various exhibitions seamlessly. While many come for the spiral staircase people pilgrimage it is the art within its walls that houses the light, one merely becomes it at night.
Karl SibandaFeb 24, 2018
Love it!! Been meaning to visit for years then finally got round to it. Most of the galleries were closed due to an event, but still well worth going for the building and views over the city...excellent!
Graham HendryJan 14, 2018
For view over Glasgow city. Climb to highest floor and there is a viewing tower. It also stores many historical facts and good to enjoy if you have time to spend. Located in a small alley within the city center shopping area, will not be hard to find because there are signs along the way
lioni sugiartoJan 6, 2018
I enjoy this, Let me think more likely! Design manifests culture, and culture rests firmly on the foundation of what we believe to be true about the world.
Hilo LinFeb 22, 2018
Beautiful place. And beautiful setting. Was at a work event and loves the decor and especially the Highland gin and cocktail!
Lulu Sheriff-CromptonApr 7, 2018
Nice and quiet place for a conference. There is a multistorey parking across the street. Elevator and escalator access to most floors. Food was not great though.
Sriram V SApr 7, 2018
Beautiful views of Glasgow from the top of this old building ,with escalators most of way up but then a lovely winding staircase for the last few floors to the viewpoint at the top ,entrance to the staircase is through a nice art gallery ,worth a look too
Paddy PurfieldMar 18, 2018
Lovely restored building. However the place is a waste of good money, it takes minutes to walk around the exhibits with staff who seemed to hide from visitors. Without the view of Glasgow city from the top it's not worth the bother.
Keith BoyleMar 30, 2018
Interesting place to visit especially if you like Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Some stunning views of the city
David McElhinneyMar 18, 2018
Fantastic art and design centre. Always new exhibitions in the many galleries within, and a striking new building on the side of one of Glasgow's classic Mackintosh structures. The Mackintosh exhibition is well-curated, and the best view of Glasgow that you could ever have is available at the top of the Mackintosh Tower. Well worth adding to your itinerary, whether you're just visiting Glasgow or have lived there all your life
Ezra Rowan WilsonApr 19, 2018
We ran into this by accident citting through an alley on the way back to our hotel. It's a nice view of the city form the 6th floor, and every floor had a small exhibit. The gift shop is nice, and has a lot of Charles Rennie Mackintosh paraphernalia. My favorite exhibit was the Best Use of Timber. It runs through May 20.
Corey PoppApr 28, 2018
A short visit. Inside you will find some workshops and/or modern art. Great views.
Mario PadillaApr 30, 2018
Great views from the top. Lots of interesting displays on each level. Gift shop on ground floor.
Pauline IrvineApr 11, 2018
Great wee hidden attraction with fantastic views from the top deck and a lovely gift shop. Didn't eat there but they have a big, spacious restaurant on an upper floor. Fully accessible by lift and escalator so suitable for disabled visitors
Liz SinclairMay 24, 2018
Great views from the viewing platform, but even better from the tower. Well worth the climb. Was a little disappointed that several of the galleries were closed to the public for private functions. Still managed to visit the Macintosh gallery. Very interesting and we'll worth a visit. They have a gift shop and surprisingly the prices were reasonable as most attractions with a gift shop tend to inflate the prices are bit.
David WilsonMay 12, 2018
Great experience with some stunning sights from the top of the lighthouse. I would really recommend it to anyone who does not live in Glasgow or does not know the city very well as you get a deeper understanding of the city itself
Tom KehoeJun 4, 2018
Lovely unexpected visit. Wish I had visited here on my first day to get more information about Mackintosh. Bit of a climb to the top but well worth it for the view.
Ray DawesJun 4, 2018
The best place to seeing around Glasgow One of among historical building in Glasgow, it was builded in 1893 and have used as office of Glasgow Herald newspaper. This building has a tower for reserves water in case of fire but for now on there is a seeing point for viewing Glasgow city. If you want to see Glasgow city you must come in but please come in the sunny day! Inside the building, there have showing galleries and cafe so you can spending half-day here.
Jupiter MarsMay 14, 2018
The Lighthouse is Glasgows hidden gems- offering the best views of the city from a birds eye viewpoint. Upside: Free entrance, friendly and helpful staff. Live piano performance. Downside: No elevator- wear sensible shoes- lots of stairs. Entrance is hidden in a dark, dirty alleyway with homeless people standing outside begging for money.
Robyn MoreauJul 13, 2018
A building designed by Glasgow favourite son Mr Charles Rennie McIntosh although you don't really get the flavour of it from the outside due to the tightness of Mitchell lane and the close proximity of the adjacent buildings. The tower itself is not by McIntosh but a later addition but has great panoramic views of the city below, so worth the visit but beware I counted 220 steps to the top!
Alan WallaceJun 25, 2018
It's a beautiful place to have a good view of Glasgow from the top, with a nice spiral staircase, the day I went sadly the top flor was closed due to an event but I hope I'll return to have a view of it as the one I saw was worth it!
Adriana ReyesJul 19, 2018
Never new this place existed, take lift up to 6th floor for a fantastic view over the city. I also believe you can take another part up outside for a better view! Gift shop sells lovely goods and not too expensive. Worth a visit and can even get a glass of wine in the cafe!
Adam KeyserAug 17, 2018
Great place to visit and it is free to enter. Take the escalator part way up and then the spiral staircase to get a great view over Glasgow. Inside is a small museum dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There is also a wee shop inside, which as usual is overpriced.
Bill BAug 2, 2018
I visited with friends for lunch at the café. There was a long queue as there wasn't a lot of staff for the number of customers. The food was really good - I had tomato & pepper soup and a BLT sandwich. The café was nice and open so my friends could pull chairs round and chat. The bathrooms had amusing signs on the door and were clean.
Emily AdamsAug 14, 2018
Interesting architecture. Combining historical old with modern new. The place for excellent view of Glasgow. There are 172 steps to the top. A stunning view over the rooftops of central Glasgow. You cover it all from this point. The historical part of this place is worthwhile to explore and the exhibition provides the appropriate frame for that.
Andrew KannerNov 25, 2017
A fine space, masterfully subdivided by floor, showcasing various exhibitions seamlessly. While many come for the spiral staircase people pilgrimage it is the art within its walls that houses the light, one merely becomes it at night.
Karl SibandaFeb 24, 2018
Love it!! Been meaning to visit for years then finally got round to it. Most of the galleries were closed due to an event, but still well worth going for the building and views over the city...excellent!
Graham HendryJan 14, 2018
For view over Glasgow city. Climb to highest floor and there is a viewing tower. It also stores many historical facts and good to enjoy if you have time to spend. Located in a small alley within the city center shopping area, will not be hard to find because there are signs along the way
lioni sugiartoJan 6, 2018
I enjoy this, Let me think more likely! Design manifests culture, and culture rests firmly on the foundation of what we believe to be true about the world.
Hilo LinFeb 22, 2018
Beautiful place. And beautiful setting. Was at a work event and loves the decor and especially the Highland gin and cocktail!
Lulu Sheriff-CromptonApr 7, 2018
Nice and quiet place for a conference. There is a multistorey parking across the street. Elevator and escalator access to most floors. Food was not great though.
Sriram V SApr 7, 2018
Beautiful views of Glasgow from the top of this old building ,with escalators most of way up but then a lovely winding staircase for the last few floors to the viewpoint at the top ,entrance to the staircase is through a nice art gallery ,worth a look too
Paddy PurfieldMar 18, 2018
Lovely restored building. However the place is a waste of good money, it takes minutes to walk around the exhibits with staff who seemed to hide from visitors. Without the view of Glasgow city from the top it's not worth the bother.
Keith BoyleMar 30, 2018
Interesting place to visit especially if you like Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Some stunning views of the city
David McElhinneyMar 18, 2018
Fantastic art and design centre. Always new exhibitions in the many galleries within, and a striking new building on the side of one of Glasgow's classic Mackintosh structures. The Mackintosh exhibition is well-curated, and the best view of Glasgow that you could ever have is available at the top of the Mackintosh Tower. Well worth adding to your itinerary, whether you're just visiting Glasgow or have lived there all your life
Ezra Rowan WilsonApr 19, 2018
We ran into this by accident citting through an alley on the way back to our hotel. It's a nice view of the city form the 6th floor, and every floor had a small exhibit. The gift shop is nice, and has a lot of Charles Rennie Mackintosh paraphernalia. My favorite exhibit was the Best Use of Timber. It runs through May 20.
Corey PoppApr 28, 2018
A short visit. Inside you will find some workshops and/or modern art. Great views.
Mario PadillaApr 30, 2018
Great views from the top. Lots of interesting displays on each level. Gift shop on ground floor.
Pauline IrvineApr 11, 2018
Great wee hidden attraction with fantastic views from the top deck and a lovely gift shop. Didn't eat there but they have a big, spacious restaurant on an upper floor. Fully accessible by lift and escalator so suitable for disabled visitors
Liz SinclairMay 24, 2018
Great views from the viewing platform, but even better from the tower. Well worth the climb. Was a little disappointed that several of the galleries were closed to the public for private functions. Still managed to visit the Macintosh gallery. Very interesting and we'll worth a visit. They have a gift shop and surprisingly the prices were reasonable as most attractions with a gift shop tend to inflate the prices are bit.
David WilsonMay 12, 2018
Great experience with some stunning sights from the top of the lighthouse. I would really recommend it to anyone who does not live in Glasgow or does not know the city very well as you get a deeper understanding of the city itself
Tom KehoeJun 4, 2018
Lovely unexpected visit. Wish I had visited here on my first day to get more information about Mackintosh. Bit of a climb to the top but well worth it for the view.
Ray DawesJun 4, 2018
The best place to seeing around Glasgow One of among historical building in Glasgow, it was builded in 1893 and have used as office of Glasgow Herald newspaper. This building has a tower for reserves water in case of fire but for now on there is a seeing point for viewing Glasgow city. If you want to see Glasgow city you must come in but please come in the sunny day! Inside the building, there have showing galleries and cafe so you can spending half-day here.
Jupiter MarsMay 14, 2018
The Lighthouse is Glasgows hidden gems- offering the best views of the city from a birds eye viewpoint. Upside: Free entrance, friendly and helpful staff. Live piano performance. Downside: No elevator- wear sensible shoes- lots of stairs. Entrance is hidden in a dark, dirty alleyway with homeless people standing outside begging for money.
Robyn MoreauJul 13, 2018
A building designed by Glasgow favourite son Mr Charles Rennie McIntosh although you don't really get the flavour of it from the outside due to the tightness of Mitchell lane and the close proximity of the adjacent buildings. The tower itself is not by McIntosh but a later addition but has great panoramic views of the city below, so worth the visit but beware I counted 220 steps to the top!
Alan WallaceJun 25, 2018
It's a beautiful place to have a good view of Glasgow from the top, with a nice spiral staircase, the day I went sadly the top flor was closed due to an event but I hope I'll return to have a view of it as the one I saw was worth it!
Adriana ReyesJul 19, 2018
Never new this place existed, take lift up to 6th floor for a fantastic view over the city. I also believe you can take another part up outside for a better view! Gift shop sells lovely goods and not too expensive. Worth a visit and can even get a glass of wine in the cafe!
Adam KeyserAug 17, 2018
Great place to visit and it is free to enter. Take the escalator part way up and then the spiral staircase to get a great view over Glasgow. Inside is a small museum dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. There is also a wee shop inside, which as usual is overpriced.
Bill BAug 2, 2018
I visited with friends for lunch at the café. There was a long queue as there wasn't a lot of staff for the number of customers. The food was really good - I had tomato & pepper soup and a BLT sandwich. The café was nice and open so my friends could pull chairs round and chat. The bathrooms had amusing signs on the door and were clean.
Emily AdamsAug 14, 2018
Monday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Wednesday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Thursday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Friday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Saturday | 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |