Glasgow's Leading Attractions

The Willow name comes from Sauchiehall, which in Scottish Gaelic means alley of the willows and the theme of willows features throughout the building.

Sauchiehall Street
In 1903, Kate Cranston, a Glasgow entrepreneur, asked Charles Rennie Mackintosh to design and create the Tea Room at 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. Although Mackintosh worked in partnership with Kate Cranston on all her Tea Rooms, this was the only project in which he had complete control over every aspect of the design, including the teaspoons and waitresses’ dresses.

The exclusive Room De Luxe with its silver furniture and leaded glass work was the jewel in the crown of the partnership between Mackintosh and Kate Cranston. The room remains very much one of the main Mackintosh features in Glasgow, attracting visitors from all over the world, with the room today still having in situ the original doors, windows and mirrors.

Buchanan Street
The Willow Tea Rooms at Buchanan Street have been recreated in the style of the White Dining Room and Chinese Room, originally designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Kate Cranston’s Ingram Street Tea Rooms.

The rooms reflect the Mackintosh contrast between masculine and feminine. The White Dining Room is filled with elegant high backed chairs, leaded glass and a bright interior. The Chinese Room is darker and atmospheric. This is very similar to the interiors at Sauchiehall Street, with the feminine Room De Luxe contrasting with the more masculine features on the Gallery level.

Services Provided
Visitors can choose from our range of Scottish savoury dishes, and a wide selection of meals, snacks, teas and coffees. For that special occasion, afternoon tea is a favorite choice with a delicious selection of homemade sandwiches, scones with butter, preserve and cream, homemade buttered shortbread, and a choice of cake from the cake trolley, all served with tea or coffee from our extensive menu.

The Tea Room in Buchanan Street is licensed, selling champagne, wines, whiskies and beers. Both Tea Rooms stock a wide range of gifts, many based on traditional Charles Rennie Mackintosh designs.

Groups are welcome, with special menus available for bookings for parties of 10 or over. The Tea Rooms offer visitors from both home and abroad, the opportunity to relax in the beautiful surroundings of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and enjoy the experience of a bygone era.

The Willow Café and Gift Shop, Scotland Street School Museum Scotland Street School Museum was Mackintosh’s last major commission in Glasgow and shows evidence of the genius of the mature architect. The school has impressive leaded glass towers, a magnificent tiled entrance hall and unique stonework. Enhancing the overall visitor experience, the Willow Café and Gift Shop caters for old and young alike, with a traditional ice cream soda bar and a range of delicious snacks, cakes and drinks. The Gift shop stocks a range of gifts, toys and sweets for all ages.