NOT TO BE SNIFFED AT
Not to be Sniffed At – An Aromatic History of Sauchiehall Street was a multisensory exhibition commissioned by Glasgow Life as part of the Animating Sauchiehall Street project, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The commission brief was to develop a programme of events and activities designed to draw audiences back to this iconic Glasgow street.In reflecting on Sauchiehall Street’s history, the project team chose to focus on the often-overlooked role of smell in shaping our experience of place. The exhibition explored the deep connection between scent, memory, and emotion, revealing how smell can evoke powerful associations and bring the past vividly to life.
- Completion Date: 2025
- Project Cost: £8000
The Project
In collaboration with perfumer Clara Weale, the Heritage Engagement Manager developed a selection of stories and sensory materials that revealed lesser-known aspects of Sauchiehall Street’s history. The project took a holistic approach, intertwining natural and cultural heritage, and combining tangible and intangible elements. Themes explored included the pre-industrial landscape, the historic role of horses in the city, historic perfumes and scents and the evolution of air pollution.
This multisensory methodology extended into an accompanying talks, events and ‘sniffari’ walks programme, which brought together perspectives from environmental history, linguistics, memory studies, perfumery and fashion history. Smells often carry strong emotional and cultural associations, including narratives of decline. In this sense, it also encouraged visitors and participants to keep an open mind about smell, inviting them to question and reframe what is considered ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
The project offered a valuable opportunity to experiment with innovative ways of engaging the public with heritage. One of the most memorable aspects was observing how visitors responded to the sensory material. While some participants were initially hesitant, once encouraged to touch and smell the objects, their engagement deepened dramatically. The experience shifted from a more traditional, passive form of exhibition viewing to an active, participatory experience, sparking conversation, curiosity, and sharing of personal memories.
Project Team
- Lead: Heritage Engagement Manager GBPT
- Scent Designer: Clara Weale
- Window Artist: Fiona Fleming
- Delivery Partner: Dr Zara Gladman, Public & Community Engagement Manager, University of Glasgow (Smelly Sunday)