Stairwell of Windyhill

Our AGM weekend finished today with Mackintosh's Tale of Two Houses.

In the morning we visited The Hill House in Helensburgh, Mackintosh's domestic masterpiece. In 1902 Mackintosh received a significant commission when he was asked to design The Hill House in Helensburgh by Walter Blackie, director of the well-known Glasgow publishers. Blackie commissioned not only the house and garden, but much of the furniture and all the interior fittings and decorative schemes. Author and former lecturer, Dr James Macaulay joined us on the tour today, to give an insight into the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

We then headed over the Erskine Bridge and down to Greenock for lunch at the new Beacon Arts Centre. We had an excellent lunch and the views looking across to Helenburgh were stunning today.

After lunch we made our way to Windyhill in Kilmacolm, Mackintosh's first house on the hill. Windyhill was designed by Mackintosh between 1900-1 for his client, William Davidson, a Glasgow provisions merchant, who was to become one of his most loyal patrons. It was his first significant domestic commission, and an important forerunner in its plan and architectural massing for The Hill House of 1902- 04. The house has been beautifully restored by the current owner. This is a view of the main stairwell looking towards the large candelabrum, which was re-created by Conservationist and Stained Glass Artists, Rab MacInnes and Linda Cannon.

What a way to finish our AGM weekend.