Glasgow Historical Walking Tour Experience

Discover some of the top attractions in the ancient city of Glasgow such as the spectacular City Chambers, the stunning medieval Cathedral and even some lesser-known sites such as world’s oldest, surviving music hall, the Britannia Panopticon.
Marvel at the grandeur of the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture and sculpture that can still be found on so many streets.
Follow in the footsteps of the merchants, traders and pioneers who transformed the city’s fortunes and reputation and the workers who enabled that transformation.

Hear about some memorable moments from Glasgow’s history, including a few scandals and darker secrets.

Meeting Point

50 George Square

50 George Square, Glasgow G2 1EH, UK

Let's meet on George Square. There's a coffee shop on the north side of the square called Costa Coffee. I will be waiting outside that shop, holding a green notebook.

What's included:

• Historical Information
• Storytelling
• Local knowledge

What to expect:

Duration: between 2 hours, 4 minutes and 2 hours, 14 minutes

City Chambers

82 George Square, , Glasgow, G2 1DU

Probably the most spectacular building in Glasgow, the headquarters of Glasgow City Council. There is some astonishing sculpture on this building which goes a long way to explaining how Glaswegians saw themselves in the 19th century.
10 minutes

10 minutes

Glasgow Cenotaph

46 George Square, Glasgow

Glasgow's monument to the citizens who fell in the First Word War. Rich in symbolism, this monument marks a turning point in Glasgow's history

4 minutes

Sir Walter Scott Statue

40 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DS

The centrepiece of George Square. One of Scotland's greatest writers and a man who is many ways is responsible, for creating the modern idea of Scotland.

4 minutes

Robert Burns Statue

13 George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DY

The first ever monument to Scotland's national poet. An early example of crowdfunding. Thousands of people paid as little as 5 pence towards the cost of this sculpture. 30.000 people turned up to the unveiling

3 minutes

Merchant's House

0/1 Merchants House 7 West George Street, 1st Floor - Grand Hall, Directors Room, Lord Dean's Room, Glasgow, G2 1BA

The Merchants of Glasgow, were largely responsible for the success and prosperity of modern Glasgow. This house, in the centre of the city, gives an indication of their importance and how they saw themselves

5 minutes

Gallery of Modern Art

111 Queen Street, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AH

Originally a spectacular private mansion house, this building has had many different uses before becoming a gallery

5 minutes

Duke of Wellington Statue

16 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AG

One of the most-well known statues in Glasgow. The Duke was a decorated military leader and even prime Minister. His statue is famous today, because of the traffic cone, placed on the Duke's head

3 minutes

Paesano Pizza

94 Miller St, Glasgow G1 1DT, UK

One of the most popular pizza joints in Glasgow. Once upon a time they had a very special job opportunity

1 minute

Tobacco Laird's House

42 Miller Street, Glasgow, G1 1DT

An 18th century, Georgian townhouse in the heart of modern Glasgow. The original family that lived here had an interesting story

Pass by without stopping

Trades Hall of Glasgow

85 Glassford Street, Glasgow, G1 1UH

The Trades House represented the traders of Glasgow, the carpenters, the tanners , the dyers and so on, and looked after members who had become too old to work.

3 minutes

Candleriggs

Candleriggs, Glasgow G1, UK

An important street in medieval Glasgow, where the candle makers lived and worked, set apart from the old town to reduce the risk of fire. Later the site of markets and warehouses. Now an an important part of Glasgow's cultural district

Pass by without stopping

The Corinthian Club

191 Ingram St, Glasgow G1 1DA, UK

Formerly a bank, a courthouse, and a county building, now one of the most high-profile clubs and wedding venues.

4 minutes

Hutcheson's Hall

Hutchesons Hall 158 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1EJ

Along with the original Merchants House and the Trades House, the Hutchenson's Hospital once described one of the three graces of Glasgow. Together, they looked after many of the citizens of Glasgow, for many years

3 minutes

Old Fruitmarket

100 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NQ

The Old Fruitmarket was once a bustling part of commercial Glasgow. The building still stands but has been converted to retail use. it is still possible to walk through it and imagine how it would have been years ago.

5 minutes

Trongate

Trongate, Glasgow G1, UK

Trongate 103 is an arts centre in the heart of Glasgow, home to amongst other attractions, the Sharmanka Kinetic Gallery.

10 minutes

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

113-117 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5HD

The world's oldest surviving music hall, where a young Stan Laurel, one half of the legendary comedt double act, first performed.

5 minutes

Mercat Cross

High St, , Glasgow

A recreation of a medieval market cross, where proclamations were made.

5 minutes

High Street

High St, Glasgow, UK

The High Street was the heart of medieval Glasgow. There are several attractions along the road, including the site of the old University, the fourth oldest in Britain, two spectacular murals, relating to Glasgow's patron saint, St Mungo and some other significant buildings.

15 minutes

David Livingstone Statue

Glasgow

This statue, celebrating one of Scotlan's great explorers, originally stood in George Square.

2 minutes

Ramshorn Theatre

98 Ingram Street, Glasgow

This building opened in 1824, replacing an earlier church on the site. Many of the great and good of Glasgow were buried here. In recent years it has served as a theatre, now it is a centre for language studies, owned by the University of Strathclyde

5 minutes

Friends Of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum

84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF

The oldest hospital in Glasgow, many medical innovations were pioneered here.

3 minutes

Glasgow Cathedral

Castle Street, Cathedral Precinct, Glasgow, G4 0QZ

The tour finishes with a look inside the oldest building in Glasgow, which dates back to the 13th century. There has been a church in those locations since the 6th century.

20 minutes

Provand's Lordship

3 Castle St., , Glasgow, G4 0RH

Apart from the Cathedral, one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow, dating back to the 14th century.

5 minutes

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

2 Castle Street, , Glasgow, G4 0RH

Built to look a much older building, this museum celebrates many of the different religions followed in the world today

5 minutes