From April/ May 1855 to April / May 2025: The McLellan Galleries, Sauchiehall Street

It is very sad to read about the proposal to sell the McLellan Galleries on Sauchiehall

Street. Newspapers report that Glasgow City Council regards them as “surplus to

requirements” and that it “no longer has a ‘core operational need’ for the building.”

 

The timing of the announcement is somewhat ironic.

 

For a number of years, I have studied the history of the Sauchiehall Street site;

Archibald McLellan; and the wide range of activities which took place in this

extremely important venue.

 

Back in April 1855, some of Glasgow’s newspapers described the soon-to-be-

opened McLellan Rooms, as the property was first known. The public were

admitted the following month.

 

170 years later, their future is uncertain.

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, 3rd May 2025.