The Magnificent and Mysterious History of Glasgow

Glasgow, GB
94% of travellers recommend this
Excellent (19 reviews)

Highlights

  • Discover top attractions in ancient Glasgow
  • Marvel at grand Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture
  • Follow in the footsteps of merchants and pioneers
  • Hear memorable moments from Glasgow's history
  • Uncover scandals and darker secrets

Meeting Point

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.

Meeting point

50 George Square, Glasgow G2 1EH , United Kingdom

End point

End Point

The tour ends outside the Ramshorn Church on Ingram Street, not too far from the starting point in George Square

Meeting point

98 Ingram St, Glasgow G1 1EX , United Kingdom

End point

What to expect

1

City Chambers

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

Duration 10 minutes
2

Glasgow Cenotaph

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

Duration 4 minutes
3

Sir Walter Scott Statue

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.

Duration 4 minutes
4

Robert Burns Statue

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

Duration 3 minutes
5

Merchant's House

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

Duration 5 minutes
6

Gallery of Modern Art

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

Duration 5 minutes
7

Duke of Wellington Statue

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

Duration 3 minutes
8

Paesano Pizza

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

Duration 1 minutes
9

Tobacco Laird's House

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

10

Trades Hall of Glasgow

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.

Duration 3 minutes
11

Candleriggs

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

12

The Corinthian Club

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

Duration 4 minutes
13

Saints of Ingram

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

Duration 3 minutes
14

City Halls & Old Fruitmarket

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.

Duration 5 minutes
15

Trongate

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

Duration 10 minutes
16

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

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

Duration 5 minutes
17

Mercat Cross

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

Duration 5 minutes
18

Glasgow

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.

Duration 15 minutes
19

David Livingstone Statue

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

Duration 2 minutes
20

Ramshorn Theatre

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

Duration 5 minutes
21

Friends Of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum

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

Duration 3 minutes
22

Glasgow Cathedral

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.

Duration 20 minutes
23

Provand's Lordship

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

Duration 5 minutes
24

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

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

Duration 5 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Service animals allowed
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Additional information
    There is walking time between attractions, around 40-45 minutes
  • Additional information
    The tour will last approximately 2 hours and 45minutes
  • Additional information
    Even when we're walking between the main attractions, there's plenty to see and talk about.
Provided by Historic Walking Tours of Glasgow

What our experts say

  • icon
    Grab coffee at Costa before starting.
  • icon
    Don't miss the stunning Cathedral.
  • icon
    Check out the nearby Gallery of Modern Art.
  • icon
    Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
  • icon
    Make time for photos at George Square.

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