Glasgow parks’ Gaelic connections celebrated in art exhibition

Glasgow’s Gaelic community has worked together with our 'Our Heritage, Our Future' team to create an exhibition which celebrates five of the city’s parks and their connections to the language. 

The exhibition, themed around Glasgow as the “Dear Green Place”, was curated by Gaelic speakers participating in Creating Exhibitions and Displays training through Our Heritage, Our Future Programme. 

It will be open to the public at An Lòchran Gaelic Centre in Partick on 9 October between 2-8pm. 

The participants focused on the story of five parks – Kelvingrove Park, Bellahouston Park, Queen’s Park, Elder Park and Glasgow Green – and their Gaelic connections through historical photographs and information, maps and footage. 

We provided training and support to the participants who created their own exhibition brief, content and design plan for the space. They joined a field trip to Maryhill Burgh Halls, where they met with their Heritage Coordinator Aurora Segnan to learn about how she approached their latest exhibition “Every Picture Tells a Story: The Forth and Clyde Canal at Maryhill”.  

Additionally, they visited Govan Old Parish Church Govan Stones Project for an archaeological open day where they saw historical research in action and explored what uncovered objects have revealed about ancient Govan. The group was also supported with its research efforts by the Mitchell Library which provided historic images of the parks from the digital archives. 

The exhibition also forms part of the 2026 Royal National Mòd, Scotland’s premier Gaelic festival which celebrates Gaelic linguistic and cultural heritage. 

Jonathan Angell, our Gaelic Education and Learning Officer said: “I’m really looking forward to the launch of our exhibit and being able to show off the group’s creations to the public. 

“There is a strong Gaelic community in Glasgow and it’s been very interesting to explore the heritage throughout some of the city’s most famous green spaces. 

“I’d really encourage everyone – Gaelic speaking or not – to come along to the exhibition and learn more about the city’s deep connections to the Gaelic language.” 

The Creating Exhibitions and Displays unit is part of Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Our Heritage, Our Future programme to inspire action and support communities to care for their places and heritage through the lens of climate change. 

It is made possible with Historic Environment Scotland and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery players. 

Find out more about how you can get involved with Our Heritage, Our Future today.