As the years pass by, there is a swell of worry for the Mack

What is to be done about the Glasgow School of Art? With the seventh anniversary of the first fire on the horizon, many are looking for a sign of progress, some hope. Right now, it seems there is none. However, while we await the fire report on the second 2018 fire, those with long memories are turning to past ideas. Even then, the problem of an educational institution stuck with an expensive listed building with daily renovation issues was causing debate.

The solution, being discussed with the Scottish Office and the

Scottish Education Department in the 1980s, was to divide GSA into two entities – a higher education establishment for teaching, and a GSA Mackintosh charitable trust focused on the building. The financial structure of higher education funding is for teaching and research, not preserving historic buildings. As this new Mackintosh Trust would be registered as a charity, it could raise funds.

Penny Macbeth, the new director, has an impossible task. Covid. An art school in tatters. An icon to rebuild. Even Wonder Woman could not be expected to handle all three. If Glasgow School of Art was divided into two entities, it could be possible. Then the task of recreating the rebuilt world-famous architectural masterpiece would go ahead with specialist – and speedy – impetus.

As the years go by, there is a swell of worry. As Covid lockdown isolation goes on, it’s getting worse. I hear from people all the time, Glaswegians, foreigners, art lovers, Joe Public. The fire destruction weighs heavily. The city is suffering. GSA was central to Glasgow’s cultural identity and part of our national heritage. One of the world’s 20th Century’s most important buildings, now it’s gone. Seven years on and a generation of students, have no idea how special the Mack was. A full inquiry will not bring the Mackintosh building back. The only answer is to rebuild ASAP. And create a Mackintosh Trust to make sure there is no third fire.