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Historic Environment Scotland has launched a public consultation on a proposal to award Category A listed status to the Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House.

The proposed listing recognises its architectural significance and unique connection to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh.

Category A is the highest level of protection for historic buildings in Scotland, awarded to buildings of significant national importance which are outstanding examples of specific periods or styles.

The Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House has been proposed for Category A listing due to its innovative Brutalist design and its association with artists Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. The building is also considered a rare and important example of late 20th-century museum and gallery architecture, and one of the finest examples of its type in Scotland.

The Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House was constructed in the 1970s and opened in two phases in 1980 and 1981. Built to house the University’s growing art collection, the Brutalist design by architects William Whitfield and Partners features distinctive bush hammered concrete, a round tower and a sculpture courtyard.

An integral part of the building is the Mackintosh House, the carefully reassembled principal interiors of the Glasgow home of artists Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh. The rooms strikingly illustrate Mackintosh's concept of the room as a work of art, while allowing visitors to experience the environment in which the Mackintoshes lived and worked.

Today, the Hunterian Art Gallery is a cornerstone of Scotland’s cultural landscape, engaging audiences through major exhibitions and digital resources while supporting teaching, learning and research. 

It is best known for its internationally significant Whistler and Mackintosh collections, but the holdings span a remarkable range of works, from Rubens and Rembrandt to the Scottish Colourists and Glasgow Boys. The collection also includes important works by leading contemporary artists.

Dara Parsons, Head of Designations at HES, said:

“The Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House is outstanding for its innovative and monumental design, which reflects both Brutalist trends of the 1970s and emerging postmodern ideas and for the association with Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald.

“We are consulting on a proposal to list the building at category A, and we hope to hear from everyone with thoughts on the proposal.”

Professor Steph Scholten, Director of The Hunterian, said:

"We welcome Historic Environment Scotland's proposal to list the Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House at Category A. The building is a remarkable part of the University of Glasgow campus and an important Scottish cultural landmark. Designed by Sir William Whitfield, it is home to world-class collections and provides a unique setting in which visitors can experience the partially reassembled interiors of the Glasgow home of artists Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh.

“For more than four decades, the Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House have supported teaching, research and public engagement, welcoming visitors from around the world. This proposed designation recognises not only the building's outstanding architectural significance but also its enduring contribution to Scotland's cultural life."

The consultation will run until 6 October 2026. Historic Environment Scotland is inviting feedback via an online survey. Find out more and share your views via the HES consultation webpage.

 

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First published: 25 August 2026