18 September 2025 (14:00 - 15:15)
21 September 2025 (12:00 - 15:30)
Visit Scotland’s first purpose-built Synagogue: a beautiful Category A listed building and an example of high Victorian architecture. In addition to seeing the Prayer Hall, you will learn about the development and contribution of the Jewish community to Scotland over the last 200 years through our displays. Guides will be available to describe some of the features and history of the building. You will then be able to explore the other elements of the building in your own time.
On the lower ground floor you can see displays from the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, including a permanent exhibition on the Jewish immigrants settling in Scotland, from the late 1700s through to the present-day communities. Our exhibition, ‘Scotland a Sanctuary’ looks at the refugees who arrived in Scotland in the 1930s and 1940s, and how people from all backgrounds helped those in peril. You can also view our digital resources covering this time period.
We will also be doing a guided walk of the Garnethill area. In this walk we reveal some of the places around Garnethill which are connected with Jewish refugees from Nazi Europe - from the flats in which refugee artists lived, to the hostels where children from the Kindertransport stayed. You will learn about some of the people who came to Scotland and made their home here, and about the meeting places that were vital in supporting refugees in building new lives in Scotland.
The walk will take approximately an hour and a quarter (it is hilly in places), and at the end of the walk there will be an opportunity to view the exhibition ‘Scotland a Sanctuary’ at the Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre in Garnethill Synagogue. This exhibition is based on material in the collections of the Scottish Jewish Archives Centre, and shows how people from all backgrounds throughout Scotland helped those in peril. You can also view our digital resources covering this time period.
We have a shop on site, with a selection of books relating to Jews in Scotland and Jewish history, plus other related items.

Overview
The Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre is based in Garnethill Synagogue, a beautiful Category A listed building and an example of high Victorian architecture. The Centre tells the story of the Jewish community in Scotland over the past 200 years.

Wheelchair accessible toilet on lower ground floor only.
Portable ramp available for accessing the ground floor of synagogue. Access to lower ground floor displays and archive via stairs, chair lift or by exiting building and entering via side door.

Address
129 Hill Street, Glasgow, G36UB