Skip to main content
Loading…

Mother Glasgow

A series of striking portraits celebrating women who have made Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, their home.

11-28 August 2026

About the installation

Mother Glasgow is a series of striking new portraits by artist Gerard M Burns celebrating women who have made Scotland, and Glasgow in particular, their home. 

Held as part of the Parliament’s Festival of Politics, the display showcases 16 oil-painted portraits of 15 women and one schoolgirl, from all corners of the world, each of whom have chosen Glasgow as their home. Ranging in age, background and profession, the sitters’ stories reflect Glasgow’s global identity – a city defined by resilience, generosity and spirit.  

Most portraits are accompanied by a short video narrative contributed by the subject sharing their journey to Glasgow and what the city now represents in their lives. Together, they paint a vivid picture of modern Glasgow: diverse, open and dynamic. 

How to view the portraits

Eleven portraits are on public display to view during our opening hours and can be explored at your own pace. However, to experience the full display, you can book our free guided viewing of all the portraiture, available from 12 to 26 August. Let our Visitor Service Officers take you through the display, with insight into the portraits as well as other works of art in the Scottish Parliament.

Book a guided art viewing session

All 16 portraits will also be available to view during the Festival of Politics on 27-28 August.

Related event

We are also holding a free panel discussion: 'Scotland 2026 – who gets to belong?' on Monday 17 August, looking at themes within the display.

Find out more about this event and book your spot now

More information

Accessibility

We are an accessible venue. Read our detailed guide on what you can expect.

Visitor behaviour policy

Please remember that this is a working parliamentary building and, as such, you are expected to behave as set out in this policy. We reserve the right to remove visitors who breach this policy and apply a period of exclusion from our public galleries and parliamentary business.

For all visits, please:

  • follow all instructions from parliament staff, including any requests to bring ID with you
  • do not leave your bags and personal belongings unattended
  • do not smoke in the building
  • do not eat or drink, except in the restaurants
  • if given one, wear your visitor lanyard and pass at all times. Return it when asked or when leaving
  • collect any items retained by security as you leave
  • note that protests are not allowed inside the building. Banners, flags and political slogans are forbidden

The Parliament’s Standing Orders cover public access to parliamentary business. They allow the Presiding Officer to set reasonable conditions, and exclusions if these are not met.

For visits to see parliamentary business, please:

  • enter, sit in and leave the galleries quietly and as requested by parliamentary staff
  • switch all electronic devices off, and secure them as instructed by parliamentary staff
  • do not cause a distraction or disruption to parliamentary business. If there is a disruption in the Chamber, the Presiding Officer can ask visitors to leave
  • note that people who wilfully disrupt may face a period of exclusion from future visits
  • do not applaud or shout out during meetings
  • do not take photos, videos or recordings during meetings
  • obtain prior permission to paint, sketch or draw
  • follow the instructions of parliamentary staff on when and where to sit and to leave. For First Minister’s Questions, this includes remaining seated for the entire session. If you need to leave before the session ends, please speak to the nearest member of Parliament staff

Location

Main Hall

Days and times

Monday to Saturday

11-28 August 2026

Other events and exhibitions...

27-28 August 2026

Festival of Politics

The annual festival brings together academics, writers, policymakers, business people and politicians to debate important issues in society.

19 October-7 November 2026

World Press Press Photo

See the world's best photojournalism for free, at the only venue in the UK to host this exhibition.