Pollok Estate has been the home of the Maxwell family since the mid-13th century. The current house is an impressive 18th century mansion, filled with wonderful collections of Spanish art, antique furniture, silverware and ceramics, and an impressive library. A visit to Pollok House offers a snapshot of life in a country house, yet only minutes away from the city.

The house's beautifully kept gardens, including a collection of over 1,000 species of rhododendrons, are also open to the public. Running through them is the White Cart river, spanned by a bridge built in 1757. Sir William Stirling Maxwell (1818-1878) collected most of the paintings which you can see on display in the house. He became an authority on the art and history of Spain, and published the first reference work in English on the subject. The collection includes works by El Greco (the famous Lady in a Fur Wrap) and Goya, as well as works by the English poet and artist William Blake. Throughout the house paintings were hung formally to complement the proportions and decoration of the interiors. This can be seen in the way the series of Dutch 18th century hunting scenes are incorporated through the use of moulded plaster frames in the Billiard Room.

Sir William's other interests ranged from printmaking to armorial bearings and emblem books, and there are displays of furniture, ceramics, glass and silver. In 1966, the current Pollok House was gifted by Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald to the City of Glasgow, along with its art collection and 361 acres of surrounding parkland. In 1998, management of Pollok House was transferred by mutual agreement from Glasgow City Council to the National Trust for Scotland.

Pollok House
Pollok Country Park
2060 Pollokshaws Road
Glasgow, G43 1AT
Tel: 0141 616 6410
Fax : 0141 616 6521

House for an Art Lover Less then 15 min drive from Pollok House Kelvingrove Art Gallery Less then 20 min drive from Pollok House The People's Palace Less then 30 min drive from Pollok House Provand's Lordship Less then 25 min drive from Pollok House Museum of Transport Less then 25 min drive from Pollok House The Burrell Collection Less then 10 min walk from Pollok House