HELENSBURGH’S Mackintosh Club reopened its doors for visitors recently for the first time in 18 months.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh hidden gem was the architect’s first complete commission, dating back to 1894.

Its Old Billiard Room features a permanent exhibition on the building’s history and its connection with the famous Glasgow Style.

The whole building was designed by the young Mackintosh for the Gareloch and Helensburgh Conservative Association, in the early 20th century, and in later years McKay’s, later M&Co, used the bottom and middle floors as retail and storage space in a prime spot at 40 Sinclair Street.

Now with coronavirus restrictions easing owners Nicola and Bruce Jamieson, who bought the site back in 2016 and revealed a few months later that the town’s Mackintosh links weren’t confined to the nearby Hill House, have been able to reopen the site’s doors to welcome visitors once again.

Tour groups who had been planning to visit the building in 2020 and had to postpone are now booked in until the end of 2022.

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And a daily ‘talk and tea’ focussing on Mackintosh’s early years, the Glasgow Four and the history of the building, is due to start at the end of October.

Nicola told the Advertiser: “Art, architecture and design are so vital for everybody’s wellbeing which we can all benefit from especially after such a crisis.

“The significance of iconic structures like the Mackintosh Club should not be underestimated. Following the Glasgow School of Art fire very few original Mackintosh structures actually remain and this building represents a hugely important part of Scotland’s national artistic legacy.

“There are many performances in the pipeline and will be listed on the webpage when confirmed.”

The club’s next event is “Westering”, an exhibition by artist Gill Knight which will preview at the club on Thursday, September 9 from 4-8pm.

Email nicola@mackintosh.club for a free ticket.