To celebrate the bicentenary of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson‘s birth a programme of events and activities have been planned to take place throughout 2017. We will continue to update this calendar throughout the year with more and more exciting events as these are confirmed so please keep checking back. You can also sign up to our e-mail newsletter here to stay up to date.

Sep 16 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 1 Annfield Place
Alexander Dennistoun commissioned a grand design from James Salmon for a new middle class suburb. However, as the 19th century ended, pressure to house Glasgow’s influx of workers forced higher population density, creating the community’s extraordinary variety. Led by Roger Guthrie of the Alexander Thomson Society. Meeting point: Duke Street Post Office (1 Annfield Place)
Sep 17 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm 1 Cessnock St
Alexander Thomson’s achievements included the the creation of some of Glasgow’s most remarkable housing. Walmer Crecent is a rare survivor of grandeur in an unexpected setting. Led by Roger Guthrie of the Alexander Thomson Society.
Sep 21 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Glasgow Art Club
Lost Thomson: Glasgow’s Loss Thursday 21 September, 6pm £10 (£5 discounted rate for members of the Glasgow Art Club) In his bicentenary year, Fiona Sinclair gives an insightful talk on the lost works of the eminent architect Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. Please arrive at 6pm for a welcome drink, with the talk commencing at 6.30pm sharp.…
Sep 22 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Glasgow Necropolis
These informal and informative tours of the Glasgow Necropolis will be undertaken, weather permitting, as per the dates noted below.   The tour guides assigned to each tour are also listed below. The assignations are subject to change. In 2017 as part of the Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson bicentenary celebrations, the Friends will be undertaking Friday Evening Walking Tours with…
Sep 23 @ 10:15 am – 3:00 pm Glasgow Central Station
Departing Glasgow Central Station at 10.20 Booking required by 26 August to atswalks@hotmail.com All walks cost £5, payable in cash to Roger at the beginning of the walk. Booking also available through Eventbrite at the link above. Please note, booking is only required for the Cove & Kilcreggan walk. If you have any questions, please…
Sep 27 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm The Lighthouse
Paul Stallan will provide a review of the architectural syntax of Thomson’s work, delving into the laws which governed his architecture, whilst discussing where this has influenced his own architectural designs.
Oct 25 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm The Mitchell Library
The Alexander Thomson Society are pleased to present a rare books event in association with The Mitchell Library. Glasgow architect and director of the Society, Scott Abercrombie, will deliver a talk giving a historical context to the importance of these books in relation to Thomson’s work and other contemporary Glaswegian architects. He will discuss built examples where…
Apr 6 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm St Vincent Street Church
We are delighted that Eric Parry joins the Society this year to deliver our annual Alexander Thomson lecture. This event is open to all. Members can book tickets by clicking “enter promotional code” and entering the password they received in the post along with their journal. Members requiring a reminder of their password or other…
May 23 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Bourdon Building - Glasgow School of Art
Architect and deputy director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, Niall Murphy, will deliver a talk focussing on the life and work of Sir John James Burnet. His works include Charing Cross Mansions and the Clyde Navigation Trust building in Glasgow, and works to British Museum and Selfridges in London.
Jun 27 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm TBC
Art historian and actor Paul O’Keeffe joins the Society to perform John Ruskin’s ‘Architecture’ lecture, from the Ruskin’s 1853 series of lectures originally delivered to the Philosophical Institution in Edinburgh.
Jul 25 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Bourdon Building - Glasgow School of Art
Nominated for the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards in 2017 for his research into James Sellars and his Kelvinside Academy building, Dominic Ferrie will present his ongoing research into the life and work of Sellars, and his link to Alexander Thomson.
Aug 22 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Bourdon Building - Glasgow School of Art
Iain McGillivray will discuss the ongoing and planned restoration work at Holmwood, one of Thomson’s finest interiors. Followed by Helen Kendrick who will deliver a talk drawing from her fantastic book, Glasgow Interiors, prepared in collaboration with Neale Smith.
Oct 5 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm St Vincent Street Church, Glasgow
Writer, journalist and architecture critic, Owen Hatherley, joins the Society to deliver the inaugural Gavin Stamp lecture. Owen is the author of Militant Modernism, Landscapes of Communism and A Guide to the New Ruins of Great Britain.
Jul 25 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Bourdon Building
Glasgow architect John Joseph Burns will present his research into the history of the tenement typology in Scotland, examining its development from the 1700’s to current times. “The Tenement typology defines Glasgow not only in it’s urban character but also in it’s history and it’s own self-perception. Much has been written about the Glasgow tenement…
Aug 28 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Kelvin Hall
The Alexnder Thomson Society and National Library of Scotland present art historian Anne Lyden (Chief Curator of Photography, National Galleries of Scotland) discussing the work of influential Victorian photographer Thomas Annan.
Feb 21 @ 1:30 pm – 6:00 pm The Lighthouse
The Save Egyptian Halls symposium brings speakers together discuss the significance of this A-listed building and how it might be saved. Timetable tbc, speakers include: Niall Murphy – Glasgow City Heritage Trust Fiona Sinclair – Fiona Sinclair Architects Scott Abercrombie / Mark Baines – The Alexander Thomson Society Ben Adam – David Narro Associates Andrew…
Apr 2 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm St Vincent Street Church
We are delighted that this year’s Alexander Thomson Lecture will be delivered by Amin Taha. The London-based, Stirling Prize nominated architect of buildings such as 15 Clerkenwell Close and Barrett’s Grove will deliver a talk reflecting on his work and his approach to architecture. The Society were interested by Amin’s approach to the use of…
Sep 29 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Online
Patrick is an author and historic paint consultant with a wealth of experience in unpicking the lost decorative schemes of significant buildings across the UK, including Holmwood. His books, The Anatomy of Colour and Nature’s Palette have both been met with high praise and are exceptionally well illustrated. He joins the Society to discuss his…
Oct 27 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Online
Amin joins the Society to deliver his long-awaiting talk which was postponed at the start of the pandemic. He heads up the London-based practice Groupwork, which has won multiple RIBA awards and been nominated for the Stirling Prize. Amin is particularly interested in the potential of structural stone in modern construction, as well as experimenting…
Nov 25 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Online
Max is the curator of 19th century furniture at the V&A and author of books on Christopher Dresser and Daniel Cottier. He joins us to discuss his latest book, which focuses on Cottier’s work. Cottier and Thomson were closely connected, most notably collaborating on the design of Queen’s Park Church together.
May 3 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 4 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 5 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 6 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 9 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 10 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 11 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 12 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
May 13 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm The Lighthouse
Exhibition of entries to our Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition, and of drawings from our Glasgow Domestic Building Details survey.
Oct 30 – Dec 11 all-day Arlington Baths - Reading Room First Floor
** Please note that unfortunately we have had to temporarily close this exhibition. We hope to reopen as soon as we can. ** Mark Baines Architectural Illustration Competition Exhibition: Sunday 30th October – Sunday 11th December The Arlington Baths Reading Room First Floor Organised in memory of former Alexander Thomson Society Chair. We’re delighted to…