Our Proposal

David Dale Gallery & Studios are exploring taking on a 25 year lease of the former Scotland Street School Museum through Glasgow City Council’s People Make Glasgow Communities programme, with the aim of bringing this much-loved Charles Rennie Mackintosh building back into full public use.

Closed to the public since 2020, we are proposing that the building would be brought back into full public use as a creative hub for Glasgow. The ground floor would house a café, a contemporary art gallery, an artist residency space and a screening room, while the upper floors would provide artist studios and space for creative businesses. We will retain and enhance as much of the building’s original interior and character as possible, including dedicating space to telling the story of the school and Mackintosh’s architecture. You can read our full PMGC proposal here. 

Subject to the lease being agreed, we hope to begin works in 2027, with a view to opening the building to the public in 2028.

Background

Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and built between 1903 and 1906, Scotland Street School is regarded as one of the architect’s most significant works and operated as a museum of school education for many years before its closure.  

Glasgow City Council raised funds to refurbish the exterior of the building, and these works are still progressing. The council had a previous plans to use the building as an Early Years Education facility after the museum shut during covid, however that plan was ultimately deemed not feasible.

Survey

We want to hear from people who know and care about the building before we finalise our plans. If you would like to contribute, please complete this survey by 27th November 2026. 

This survey takes about 8–10 minutes to complete. Your answers will help shape the final plans we develop and will also form part of our PMGC application. Your opinions are greatly appreciated, and we thank you for the time taken to complete this survey.

Information Sessions

There will be an information session held at Kinning Park Complex on the evening of 2nd October, with a further local date to be confirmed, and one held at David Dale Gallery. These sessions are free but ticketed.

Please sign up for the session at Kinning Park Complex here. 

During these information sessions, Programme Director Max Slaven will give a presentation about our plans for Scotland Street and there will be time to hear your thoughts. Light refreshments will be provided.

To stay informed, please complete the survey and add your email address when prompted.