Miss Cranston And Her Tearoom

I read this book many years ago. It was written in the style, and at a time that is very reminiscent of Alexander McCall's Edinburgh books.  Miss Cranston had a very interesting life, very much part of the history of Rennie MacIntosh, the Glasgow watercolourists.... and tea! 

Miss Cranston’s Tea Rooms were a revolutionary concept in late at the turn  of the century. that's 1800 into 1900. Her tea rooms blended hospitality, art, and lovely tea.

 Founded by Catherine “Kate” Cranston, an advocate of the temperance movement, the tea rooms offered an elegant alternative to male-dominated pubs. Her establishments became safe, stylish spaces where women could socialize independently—a radical idea at the time.

And a somewhat contentious idea at the moment, where a huge court case has just been ruled upon about men in female  spaces.

More about that later.

                                                        

                                                                      My chair at the tearoom. Not very comfy.

                                                                 The cushion helped though.

                                                       

                                                                                    The old fireplace. 

                                                             Most of the other patrons were American or French.

The first of her tea rooms opened in 1878 on Argyle Street, followed by Ingram Street, Buchanan Street, and then, the most famous one at the Willow Tea Rooms on Sauchiehall Street, which opened in 1903. 

Each venue was designed by Cranston who commissioned leading artists and architects to create a special environments. Most notably, Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife Margaret Macdonald, and their Art Nouveau designs  are everywhere to be seen in the tearoom, the stairway, the chairs and... the toilets!

Mackintosh’s contribution to the Willow Tea Rooms was especially significant. He was given full creative control over the building’s architecture and furniture.  and the very uncomfy signature high-backed chairs.

Beyond the art,  the history books say that Miss Cranston’s tea rooms were socially transformative, catering to a very wide clientele—from businessmen to apprentices, ladies to their maids.

She was a game changer  with regards to her commitment to staff welfare. It's reported that she often  visited her waitresses at home to ensure they were well-fed and cared for.

The tea menu goes on for a few pages. We settled with the Americano.

Macaroni with a Glasgow twist. Chips.

Here she is on the £20 note.

You can see the image of the Sauchiehall Street tearoom just to the left of her face.

 

Here's what the shop and tearoom look like in 2025.

It's a must see, must do experience  for anybody visiting Glasgow!