Glasgow’s magnificent Pollok House has been closed since 2023 for a major refurbishment. Ahead of the full unveiling of the property, Sonica presents a festival-within-a-festival in the 18th-century house. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience artistic responses to this jewel in the city’s crown.

In every corner, experiments and installations explore the intersection of sound, image and architecture. As you move about the house’s gardens and three storeys, opening doors into rooms that haven’t been seen in decades, you might see a flock of mechanical birds twittering, encounter 400 tinkling bells above you, have a surprising encounter with a titan of science fiction, or witness a world turned upside down.

Pollok House has seen and heard so much over the nearly 300 years since it was built, but never anything quite like this.

Pollok House is an 18th-century Palladian mansion located in the south side of Glasgow, Scotland. Situated within the 360-acre Pollok Country Park, it is widely celebrated as the ancestral home of the Maxwell family and the birthplace of the National Trust for Scotland.

The entrance to Pollok Park is on Pollokshaws Road. The venue is located at 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Bellahouston, Glasgow G43 1AT
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To get there:

We are keen to encourage active travel to our festival and have provided information for all our venues. You may also wish to take advantage of the electric bicycle scheme, Voi, which operates on a pay as you go, prepaid or subscription basis. There are pick up and drop off points throughout the city.

  • By bike: Pollok House can be reached by NC routes 7 and 75. There are uncovered bicycle racks in the car park.
  • By bus: From Queen Street (West Nile Street) or Central Station (Jamaica Street): 57 and 57A to Christian Street Bus stop ((16/15 stops) approx 13 min walk).
  • By train: From Central Station High Level take trains to Pollokshaws West Station which is a 23 min walk (0.7miles) to the venue. This station has 3 flights of stairs (9, 7 and 9 steps) and does not have a lift.The nearest step-free accessible station is Crossmyloof. This is a 37 min walk (1.6 miles) via Shawmoss Road/Knowehead Avenue. The route is mostly flat.A free electric shuttle bus operates in the park. The bus runs 7 days, 10.00am-6.15pm in a 20-30 minute loop, linking the park entrance at 2060 Pollokshaws Road to Pollok House. The bus has wheelchair access and capacity for one wheelchair at a time. Dogs are allowed on the bus, subject to capacity, with priority given to assistance dogs.
  • By car: There is pay and display parking in the car park opposite Pollok House. There are accessible parking bays in the car park. Blue Badge holders can park for free and any length of time.
    There is a drop off and pick up point outside the Courtyard of Pollok House next to the accessible entrance doors.