Helensburgh's Taj Mahal?
Jennifer Foulds • Published 15 Jul 2010 09:30
HELENSBURGH'S historic Hill House is another step closer to being as valued as the Taj Mahal and Statue of Liberty.
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh-built mansion is among 38 bids from the UK, overseas territories and Crown dependencies being considered for World Heritage status.
If successful, the prestigious title would put Helensburgh well and truly on the global map and the building would be classed as one of the finest in the world.
Professor Arthur Morris, chairman of Helensburgh and Distric Civic Society, says it would be "huge" for Helensburgh, and would encourage many tourists to flock to the town.
He said: "It is important for the National Trust because a lot of people come to Helensburgh just to see it.
"It would be huge for Helensburgh and not just the Hill House but for the other houses up at the top, which were all built by well-known architects."
The building will be assessed by an independent panel and a tender list will be submitted to heritage organisation UNESCO.
Stuart Robertson, director of the Glasgow-based Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said the Hill House, along with another of Mackintosh's creations Glasgow School of Art, was chosen out of all of Mackintosh's buildings due to it being a "unique masterpiece".
He said: "This has been ongoing for a number of years, starting in 2003.
"We decided to focus on the Glasgow School of Art and Hill House, which is his domestic masterpiece.
"It [Hill House] is forward thinking.
"In the Victorian times when everyone has dark, cluttered furnishings he designed a holistic and decluttered space.
"We looked at what we could do in Glasgow to and the surrounding areas to to enhance the experience for visitors and the World Heritage Status came out of that.
"I think it would enhance and lift Helensburgh to a higher level.
"You're on the same standards then as the pyramids and the Statue of Liberty."
A working group made up of Glasgow City Council, Argyll and Bute Council, the National Trust, Glasgow School of Art, the Mackintosh Society, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Scottish Enterprise are behind the bid.
In 2006 a public meeting took place in Helensburgh to give residents the chance to comment on proposals.
A spokesman for the National Trust for Scotland said 25,000 people visit the Hill House every year and added: "It is a great honour to be involved and we are very pleased that Mackintosh is being considered for that level of recognition.
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