Hill House

The Hill House was designed in 1902 by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for the publisher Walter M Blackie. The building was completed, with some alterations to the original design, and handed over to Blackie in 1904. It is widely regarded as Mackintosh’s best d

Hill House is a mix of Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Scottish Baronial and Japonisme architecture and design. Mackintosh was known for his cutting- edge design and the approach at the Hill House fuses contemporary, early 20th-century features with Scottish vernacular traditions to create a very special building. He designed nearly everything in the house – from decorative schemes, the furniture to the fittings and contents. This totality adds to the building’s significance. Mackintosh’s attention to detail was astounding. From the shape and space of rooms, decoration of the walls, lights and light fittings, the furniture, including built-in furniture, to the smallest fitments, all were carefully designed to be both practical and aesthetic. This is typical of Mackintosh’s design philosophy. The influence of Mackintosh’s wife, Margaret Macdonald is evident at The Hill House. She was a renowned artist in her own right and undoubtedly made a significant contribution to the property. It has a feminine feel, which contrasts with the more masculine character of Mackintosh’s other domestic commission in Scotland, Windy Hill. Margaret designed and made some of the textiles as well as a beautiful fireplace gesso panel. Hill House remained the family home of the Blackies until 1953. It was in private ownership until 1972 when it was sold to the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS). The RIAS established the Hill House Trust (HHT) to maintain the building as a living house. Hill House was offered to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) in 1982 to ensure its permanent conservation. In May 1982, the trust accepted the offer of Hill House from the HHT trustees with the full support of the RIAS. In building the Hill House, the latest materials were also used – notably Portland Cement. Unfortunately, this choice has been a contributory factor in a damp issue that has persisted at the house since it was built. The National Trust for Scotland has been working on a plan to tackle these issues and ensure the long-term future of this outstanding building. As part of this, the trust is anticipating a major programme of works at The Hill House in the coming few years. To ensure extra flexibility for visitors facilities during that period, the trust is currently inviting tenders for the design of a temporary building that will accommodate visitor facilities, such as admission desk, shop and catering. It will also be used for visitor engagement/ displays to talk about conservation work that is under way.