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Offered languages
- English
- English
Experience the magic of GPS on this self-guided walking tour through Glasgow.
Three hundred years ago the wider Glasgow area was mostly countryside, with the Cathedral at its centre. The city began to change in the 1500s when Scotland became a Protestant country. Lucrative pilgrimages to Glasgow that had long been made by Roman Catholics ended, replaced by tobacco from America.
You’ll hear how Glasgow went from surviving to thriving, transitioning from the tobacco trade to cotton and, later, heavy engineering to eventually become the burgeoning ‘Second City’ of the Empire. How did these merchants become wealthy beyond our imaginings? Slavery.
We’ll explore Glasgow’s roles in slavery and its abolition while we walk the streets of the Merchant City district, discovering how the city developed from the 1600s until today. Everywhere you turn, from George Square to the Royal Exchange Square, you’ll encounter the wealth of Glasgow’s merchants written in stone.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The statue of Walter Scott is in the centre of George Square; the tour starts at the statue. George Square is in the centre of the city, beside Queen Street Station. It is easily reached on foot, by bus, or by train.
The tour ends at Madeline Smith House at No. 7 Blythswood Square.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Start your tour at George Square, the heart of Glasgow's civic life. Learn about its history and the mini Statue of Liberty, as well as the many notable statues that surround it.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Located on the east side of George Square, this grand municipal building showcases the wealth and ambition of Glasgow in the late 19th century. Discover its opulent interiors and fascinating history.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Visit the famous statue with its iconic traffic cone hat. Discover the story behind this quirky tradition and its significance to the city's culture.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk to the Royal Exchange Square, home to the Gallery of Modern Art. Hear about Glasgow's role in the tobacco trade and how it led to the city's wealth.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stroll through the Merchant City district, where the wealth from the tobacco and sugar trades is evident in the grand architecture. Learn about the merchants who built these stunning buildings and their impact on the city.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Explore the historic Tron Church, an important site in Glasgow's religious and social history. Learn about its role during the Reformation and its influence on the city's development.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
A beautiful 18th-century former church now used as a cultural venue. Discover its history and the role it played in the lives of Glasgow’s merchants and their families.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
An elegant building that was originally a hospital and school for boys. Learn about its charitable origins and the impact of the Hutcheson brothers on Glasgow’s educational landscape.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
One of Glasgow’s main shopping streets, filled with high-end shops and historic architecture. Hear about its transformation over the centuries and its role in the city’s commercial life.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
End your tour at Blythswood Square, an elegant area that once housed the city's wealthy merchants. Discover the history of the square and its surrounding buildings, which reflect the grandeur of Glasgow's past.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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