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Pollok HouseHome > Attractions > Pollok House
Pollok Estate has been the home of the Maxwell family since the mid-13th century. A visit to Pollok House offers a snapshot of life in a country house, yet only minutes away from the city. 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.
The current house is an impressive 18th century mansion. It is filled with wonderful collections of:
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. In 1966, the current Pollok House was gifted by Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald to the City of Glasgow. Included were 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. When the house and land was gifted to the City of Glasgow, provision was made within the gift for a site to house The Burrell Collection. This is situated about 10 minutes' walk from Pollok House, and a shuttle bus service runs between the two buildings. 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. Pollok House is situated in the tranquil surroundings of Pollok Country Park in the South of the city, and is a short walk from the Burrell Collection. Admission: Opening Hours:
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