Glasgow Private Self-Guided Tour

Glasgow Cathedral

30 min

This version of Glasgow Cathedral is from 1197 after the original Cathedral fell victim to a fire just after being built in 1136. Since then, however, the Cathedral has never been unroofed and the worship of God has been carried out within its walls for more than 800 years. Discover one of the emblems of Glasgow and all its surroundings alongside Alex in this amazing experience.

The Glasgow Necropolis

15 min

The Necropolis is Glasgow’s most famous graveyard. It was established in 1831, copying the Parisian graveyard Père Lachaise. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, rich inhabitants of Glasgow wanted to present themselves adequately even after their death, therefore the entire graveyard is built to impress. The Necropolis stretches over 37 acres which equals about 15 football (that is soccer) fields, or just about 150.000m2.

Provand's Lordship

15 min

This lovely stone building has been called the Provand’s Lordship since the late nineteenth century. Before it was known as the Hospital of St Nicholas.

15 min

Glasgow is famous for its murals. There are countless murals all over the city, displaying the history and culture of Glasgow. They were created to revitalise neglected walls and gable ends as well as an attempt to change perceptions about street art. Discover this amazing trail in our tour!

University of Strathclyde

15 min

Strathclyde University is one of the three major universities in Glasgow. A must-see location with a variety of murals and interesting architecture to discover as well.

5 min

This mural shows a mother lovingly cradling a baby and it is a futuristic representation of St. Mungo. Discover all the incredible details and history of this mural and the Saint who inspired it.

Tolbooth Steeple

5 min

Immerse yourself as early as the fifteenth century! The first official record of this building is from 1626 and since then it was the Town Clerk’s office, the Justice Court, the Town Council and right at the top (for security reasons) the jail. Understand how years have affected this particular building and how it has changed over time.

Tron Theatre

5 min

You are looking at the tower of Tron church which today is Tron Theatre and the street that it is located on is called Trongate. Originally it was known as Saint Thenew’s Gait because it was situated along the way to the supposed site of Thenew’s burial. As a reminder, Thenew, or how she is more commonly known today as Saint Enoch, is Saint Mungo’s mother. Why could this building be so memorable to us?

Glasgow Police Museum

5 min

Glasgow had the first police force in the entirety of Great Britain and its history from 1800 to 1975 is exhibited in this museum. Here, you can gain insight into the people, events and other factors which contributed to the founding, development and progress of the City of Glasgow police force.

5 min

This mural is called ‘Fellow Residents of Glasgow’ and was painted by Smug. This mural of a hiker foraging for mushrooms in the woodlands appears to be straight out of a fairy-tale. All animals you see in this mural can be found in Glasgow’s parks and green spaces. The animals appear through what looks like holes in the wall.

5 min

The church was originally built in 1824 replacing an older version. It was designed by English architect Thomas Rickman in the gothic revival style. On the graveyard, you will find the graves of tobacco merchants Andrew Buchanan and John Glassford. The older Ramshorn cemetery, now partly covered by Ingram Street, was the ‘fashionable’ – and expensive – place to be buried in Glasgow in the eighteenth century before the Necropolis become the new place to be buried on.

5 min

In this spot, you can see a statue of Mercury, the Roman God of financial gain, commerce, eloquence, poetry, travellers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves. Mercury stands on a marble plinth and is one of two sculptures of Mercury made by Alexander Sandy Stoddart. The statues represent the Italian quarter of Merchant City.

City Chambers

5 min

The City Chambers were completed in 1888 and inaugurated by Queen Victoria who is honoured with a statue at the opposite end of George Square. They are also a site used as the registry office in the City of Westminster of London in a famous series. Can you guess which one?

George Square

5 min

George Square is named after King George III and initially was laid out as early as 1781 as part of a scheme to create a grid-style city centre in typical Georgian style but the square was not developed for another 20 years!

Duke of Wellington Statue

5 min

We'll be passing by one of the emblems of Glasgow, which you might find a bit bizarre. You will learn all about it and also all about its inhabitants' sense of humour.

Gallery of Modern Art

5 min

A must visit in the city of Glasgow. We'll let you know everything you need to know about this incredible Gallery.

5 min

This establishment is from 1983. The interior is inspired by the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the tea room itself is modelled on Kate Cranston’s Ingram Street tea rooms from the early 1900s. Alex will tell you the origin story of these Tea Rooms.

Buchanan Street

10 min

You have arrived in the twenty-first century. From the Middle Ages at the Cathedral to the tobacco merchants of the eighteenth and nineteenth century, past the shenanigans of the 1990s, you are now in the lively centre of today's Glasgow.

The Lighthouse

10 min

The Lighthouse is a visitor centre, exhibition space and event venue situated in the heart of Glasgow.

10 min

This is the final Smug mural you'll be seeing on this tour. It is called ‘Honey, I shrunk the Kids’ and is referred to as photo-realistic street art.

10 min

Fittingly, we are finishing this tour close to St Enoch subway station which sums up the full circle of the tour.