HUNDREDS of international experts will attend an Architects’ Birthday Party in Glasgow in June, after being introduced to some of the Scotland’s finest buildings.

The event in the Botanic Gardens will close the four-day annual international conference of the Society of Architectural Historians (SAH), which meets in Glasow from June 7 to 11, the first time the event has strayed outside North America for 43 years.

The opening day of the conference is the birthday of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, while this year also marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Glasgow’s other architectural giant, Alexander “Greek” Thomson. The 150th anniversary of architectural giant Frank Lloyd Wright’s birth, also falls on June 8.

Meanwhile, the SAH itself is celebrating its 70th anniversary.

Bringing the conference, which will be attended by an estimated 600 historians, architects, preservatioists and muesum professionals to the University of Strathclyd’s Technology and Innovation Centre has been hailed as a coup for Glasgow.

Aileen Crawford, Head of Conventions at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said:“Glasgow is globally renowned for the legacies of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander “Greek” Thomson. I’m delighted that the conference will celebrate our city’s rich architectural heritage.”

With a programme including dozens of sessions, the event will give delegates a chance to visit city highlights such as the Glasgow School of Art, the City Chambers and Kibble Palace and take part in 33 tours of architecture and landscapes in and around Glasgow.

Brian Park, founding director of Page\Park Architects, will deliver the introductory address, The Architects Who Made Glasgow.

Rory Archibald, business development manager for VisitScotland Business Events said: “In 2017, Scotland celebrates the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Our history and heritage is what defines the country for many visitors.”