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An exterior view of the Holmwood roof and upper floor
The beautifully ornate cupola above the main staircase in Holmwood
Painted friezes depicting scenes from The Iliad in the dining room
The garden gate lies open to the riverside grounds at Holmwood
Admire the interesting collection found within the house
About this place
Holmwood is a family home like no other in Glasgow. Located in the Southside of the city, it’s masterfully designed but surprisingly cosy, with grand imagination behind it.
Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson designed the house for paper magnate James Couper and his wife in 1857–8, and it’s widely regarded as this Scottish architect’s finest domestic creation. His stunning design legacy impresses at every turn.
Thomson’s penchant for Grecian styling and symmetry is found throughout Holmwood, where the bold opulent decoration echoes the colours seen in ancient Greek temples.
The house is part of an ongoing conservation project and there’s always something new for visitors to see.
Discover more about ‘Greek’ Thomson in our new imagination gallery; warm up with a cup of tea in our dog-friendly café; or explore the riverside walk beside the White Cart Water.
While inventorying the plant collection at Holmwood this summer, the PLANTS team were particularly struck by one (very large) plant: the giant redwood.
