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    The Lighthouse

    4.1 (43 reviews)
    Closed 10:30 am - 5:00 pm

    The Lighthouse Photos

    Recommended Reviews - The Lighthouse

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    Spiral staircase down from the tower
    Rebecca D.

    The Lighthouse is one of Glasgow's wonder free museums/galleries. It was one of the first galleries I visited when I moved to Glasgow and I've been back a few times since, either for a specific exhibit, a general wander, or to head up the Mackintosh tower for the amazing views over the city. Much of the museum is free to access, including the permanent Charles Rennie Mackintosh exhibits and the tower. Architecture is usually the theme of most of what they're showing off, although design in general is also showcased here, especially when it's by local and Scottish artists. On the ground floor there's a fantastic gift shop with lots of Mackintosh themed gifts. Usually they have items related to other exhibits as well. There's a cafe on level 5 too and although I've not visited it in a while I remember it being light and spacious and selling pretty darn good carrot cake. It's a really cool gallery to learn a little about the history of design and architecture in Glasgow, as well as learning about some more modern themes. It's also a great place for those views from the tower to get your bearings (although it's an awfully long way up a spiral staircase, so if you don't like heights it may not be for you). For me, on a sunny day, it's one of the highlights of the city centre. If you're visiting Glasgow or you have guests in Glasgow and you find yourself in the city centre then I'd say a stop at The Lighthouse is well worth the time. It would be a shame to miss out on such a cool place.

    View from 6th floor
    Crystal L.

    Me and my partner both love exploring new places (especially if they were free) so the Lighthouse was a must. The main thing that made me want to visit was because they had a top floor which had a view over Glasgow. The building interior looked cool when we entered, basic and simple designs so it wasn't overwhelming. We were told by the lady at the reception that there were exhibitions on certain floors so we were looking forward to see them. We went to the top floor first as I really wanted to see what sort of view it gave over Glasgow, the actually floor is quite small with some chairs but the view was definitely nice. The rest of the journey was somewhat..underwhelming to be honest. There weren't many exhibitions as a couple of floors were closed, and the floors that did have exhibitions weren't very interesting. I'd probably come back if there was something interesting going on next time.

    Tower stairs, from official website
    Gillian M.

    I was introduced to The Lighthouse by a good friend of mine who works there. Every week or so he would inform me of the current and upcoming exhibitions and the history and details behind them. His enthusiasm was infectious. Nestled in Mitchell Lane, just off Buchanan Street, it is definitely worth a visit especially on a Saturday when entry is free. Be sure to endure the climb up the small, winding staircase to the tower where you will see a different, almost unrecognisable, Glasgow. Spectacular. It has recently gone into administration and I urge people to turn it into a thriving museum once again.

    Closer look of the Lighthouse
    Torterry C.

    I just like this place. They got gallery and great place to observe the city and visitor even can go up the tower to enjoy the amazing view of the city! Plus it is free to enter, there is nothing not to like. I was a curious at first why a friend of my will take us to this little alley. And the we took the lift from there. When we got out of the lift. Bann! A brilliant city view wss right in front of my face. And then we went to check the current exhibition inside the house, it was just fun. Then we saw this cool stairs way and followed it up. It wasnt as long as it seems Wow. Great place for a panorama view of city. I would recommend this place for every visitors to the city, or people who just want to enjoy the view on top.

    Mackintosh chairs/display
    Sarah P.

    After living in the City Centre for a few months I thought it was high time to pay a quick visit to The Lighthouse - and the views didn't disappoint! After a quick browse through the Mackintosh gallery and the local offering ('Sample', a collection of Scottish textiles), it was off to the third floor to climb the spiral staircase to the viewing tower. The staircase is not mobility friendly, so prams and the like are stuck waiting at the base. Be forewarned, the viewing ledge is quite narrow and it can be a bit of a jostle when busy. The only drawback of the visit (hence the 4* rating) was the 6th floor closure for a private event, as this is the only space with a mobility-friendly viewing platform (including a lift). You might come just for the views, but the galleries are also well worth a peek!

    Cake in the cafe on the 5th Floor

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    Review Highlights - The Lighthouse

    There were a lot of Charles Rennie Mackintosh items (jewellery, cards, prints) which really caught my eye.

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    St Andrews In The Square - St Andrews In The Square, Glasgow

    St Andrews In The Square

    (5 reviews)

    £

    Gallowgate

    Glasgow, when will you learn? If a building like St Andrews in the Square existed anywhere else in…read moreEurope, it would feature on postcards, be highlighted on guided tours and sign-posted from across the city. Tourists would flock and photograph it from every angle, creating albums on Facebook entitled "Me at St Andrews in the Square" to a sea of thumbs ups from friends who like it. Instead, this lovingly-restored 18th century church is inconspicuously located in among modern east end flats and virtually impossible to stumble across unless you are specifically looking for it. And what a pity, because when it's lit at night, it provides one of the most spectacular photo opportunities in the city. Those who do know this building, know it's one of the greatest classical churches in Europe with a truly sumptuous interior. Now used as a performing arts centre, St Andrews in the Square can also be hired as a spectacular setting for ceilidhs, concerts, weddings and receptions. Just go. I promise you will not be disappointed.

    Despite living in Glasgow my entire life, I had no idea this place existed until a few weeks ago…read more This is incredible considering it is one of the most stunning buildings in the city. It seems to live in a sort of parallel universe, stuck in the middle of blocks of flats. I visited the cafe a few Sunday ago and, despite the sophisticated art deco style interior and impressive menu, the place was dead. I think this is because most people don't realise it's there.

    SocietyM

    SocietyM

    (2 reviews)

    City Centre

    So I've just renewed my membership for this place and thought it was about time I fired up a wee…read moreupdate on the old review. The fact that I've just renewed the membership kind of shows that it works. That the service, product and value for money is still there and still top notch. This place still has the wow factor and continues to impress anyone who visits me while I'm working. The whole vibe of the place over the year that i've been a member, has been spot on, as have been the continuing member events and use of the inspirational space. It's bang on. Simple as that

    Imagine a business colleague who is hard to please and coming to visit. You need a decent place for…read moremeetings, which is centrally located and has all of the amenities of large corporate venue with none of the "Scottish Dowdy" look that they hate. So, on the recommendations of the one who knows (Chrizzle of the Dizzle), I went to Society M. Easy to deal with. They coordinated the hotel rooms with the meeting room bookings. Got me quotes and re-quotes and further re-quotes, as my American Colleagues changed their minds. Sorted out lunch and a coffee machine. Lots of writing space in the room, I would move into one of these rooms for the chalk board walls alone. Cover them with equations like a scene from Num3ers. The room for the whole week just worked great. Amanda and Babs are friendly, gracious folks who kick ass at getting stuff sorted for you when the people you are trying to please are less than accommodating. Finally, the Society M membership is a great option for those of us who are employed with international companies and have no office of our own. Do I need it every day? No. But when I do need it - it is great that my comfy space is there. Need a meeting room? Phone these folks. If you don't - I do not want to hear your bitching - you were told.

    200 St Vincent Street - Ground floor foyer where conference buffet served

    200 St Vincent Street

    (4 reviews)

    City Centre

    This really is a strange sort of place - it's inside an office building which means you need to go…read morepast security to get into the building, and you'll get directed to take the lift to level 6. When you arrive, you might be confused (like I was) at where to actually go - there are signs promoting the spa and so I thought that was the hallway I was walking down - thankfully it wasn't and it was actually the restaurant space where I was headed. The restaurant space is very slick and modern but feels like a corporate canteen. I wasn't eating on this visit but they have a set price menu of £7.95 for two courses at lunch time which I assume is from the buffet area. I was in for a meeting and service was fine - they popped over to check on drinks and delivered a jug of water to the table. I found the seats at the high tables really uncomfortable. There is also normal seating though so you could move if you'd ended up at one by accident. 200 St Vincent Street also has a spa (on level 7) and has a number of corporate rooms for hire for presentation and weddings. Like I said, I personally find it a bit of an odd place as it is just so corporate and I can't see the appeal of going here for lunch, but it was perfectly fine for a meeting.

    We went here for lunch on a Friday lunchtime and it wasn't what I expected at all. Located in what…read morelooks like an office block, you get whizzed up in the lift to the 6th floor. Lovely tiled floors then lead through to a cafeteria. Hmmmm fine if that's what you are looking for but I this place is marketed as a restaurant and it doesn't feel like one at all. You order and pay at till points up next to food, baked potato ovens etc. and then a number is given to you to stick on a stand on your table. The lunch menu had 4 or 5 main course options and none of them took my fancy (fish & chips, Caesar salad, gnocchi) and I honestly just wanted to leave and head somewhere else for lunch. Then we saw the pizza on the menu - it was under a different section and I'd originally thought it was the desserts - and went for those. At over £11 for a small pizza, they weren't overly offensive but certainly not worth going back for. The waitress who served us was nice and friendly but it was her first day and every question we asked resulted in her checking with someone else. We also noticed that coffees seemed pricey, with lattes listed at £4 on the menu. I did see a few people have afternoon teas, these looked lovely with sandwiches, cakes and scones but I doubt I'll be back to try them out for myself.

    The Lighthouse - architects - Updated August 2026

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