Helensburgh - Hill House

Lovers of Art Nouveau will not be disappointed by a visit to Hill House in Helensburgh's Upper Colquhoun Street. After Charles Rennie Mackintosh had designed Windyhill in Kilmacolm on the other side of the Clyde for his friend William Davidson (1901) and in the same year had produced the plans for his Art Lover's House, he began work on a third private residence, this time for publisher Walter Blackie. Hill House, set on a hill with views over the Firth of Clyde, is surrounded by a delightful garden. Viewed as a whole there are similarities with a Scottish castle, while the figural elements, rounded edges, oriel windows and small chimney stacks bear all the hallmarks of the gifted designer. Internally, Mackintosh left his imprint too. Nearly all the furniture was designed by him. In the wide hall, the dark wooden panels contrast with the light wallpaper, supplemented with abstract patterns and delicate pastel shades. The L-shaped lounge furnished simply but stylishly seems bright and airy despite the black ceiling. Art Nouveau patterns in pink and light green soften the effect of the walls, windows and lamps. The bedroom on the first floor above the lounge is regarded as the most successful of Mackintosh's "White Rooms". The carefully placed pink and green flower ornamentations show a masterful touch as do the two black chairs with their severe geometric design. The building is now run by the National Trust for Scotland.