As the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow couldn’t be more different to the winding cobbled alleys, green cliffs and medieval architecture of its eternal rival Edinburgh. Once heavily industrialised, the Scottish city has long forgotten its grey past and has completely transformed into the blooming cultural hub that it is now. It will come as no surprise that Glasgow was recently named the top cultural and creative centre in the UK by the European Commission.
One of the creative initiatives by the Glasgow City Council that provides an excellent way to explore the city is the Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail, an unmissable display of graffiti works by local and international artists that bring to life the once empty façades. This is perhaps one of the most attractive ways of discovering Glasgow’s buzzy charm.
Jump to see the Glasgow Mural Trail map.
With the largest contemporary art scene in the UK outside of London, Glasgow has flourished with museums, galleries and a rich collection of street art. Since 2014, the Glasgow Mural Trail has brought empty walls back to life and brightened up otherwise forgotten spots of the city. There’s a mural for all tastes – quirky, thought-provoking, radical, anti-establishment and of course, plenty of Glasgow-related ones!
Artists are continuously adding projects to the mural trail so there’s always a new one popping up somewhere around the city. The Glasgow City Mural Trail includes individual pieces by Smug One, Guido van Helten, Klingatron, Rogue One, Art Pistol and Stormie Mills. Plenty of collaborations between some of these artists can also be spotted.
Of course, I couldn’t go to Glasgow and not include our guide to the Glasgow Mural Trail. And to make it even better, our start and finish points are really close to my favourite brunch place in Glasgow, and the famous Tennents Brewery. So why not start your day with some tasty food at Single-end (vegan and veggie dishes galore) and end this trail with a cold pint? You can thank me later!
Glasgow Mural Trail map
Follow our Glasgow Mural Trail map below, from Klingatron’s “Glasgow’s Crocodile“, through Glasgow city centre, to the Tennents mural outside the newly opened visitor centre. Make sure you zoom in to see the exact location of each mural too.
Glasgow Mural Trail highlights
Below are all the murals marked on our map above:
- Glasgow’s Crocodile
- Charing Cross Birds
- The Lost Giant
- Shadow Hand Puppets
- Crazy Cat Lady
- The Musician
- The Gallery
- The Swimmer
- Glasgow’s Tiger
- Dr Connolly I presume?
- The world’s most economical taxi
- Honey…I shrunk the kids
- Wind Power
- Glasgow’s Panda
- Are ye dancin’?
- Argyle Street Cafe
- Billy Connolly
- The Clutha
- Study of a woman in black
- Study of a woman in black (2)
- Space Man
- Badminton
- Fellow Glasgow Residents
- Strathclyde University
- St Enoch and Child
- St Mungo
- Tennents
We hope you enjoy exploring Glasgow and hunting down the murals!
Have you followed the Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail before? Which mural do you like the most? Do you think there are any that we may have missed? If you loved our guide to the Glasgow Mural Trail, please leave a comment, pin some photos and show us some love on social media using the buttons below
G. x
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This looks amazing and what a clever way to convert blank spaces. There are some very talented artists out there. Beautiful photos of incredible paintings! I’ve only ever been to Glasgow once and that was nearly 30 years ago! Looks as though I need to go again. Really interesting blog.
Thanks so much Jane! A lot has probably changed in the last 30 years so definitely worth visiting again 🙂 x
Some amazing art, never been to Glasgow, will have to put it on the list!
Definitely! x
Those murals are amazing! If I get the chance to travel abroad, I am definitely going to Glasgow!
Glasgow is truly amazing, I would absolutely recommend!
I absolutely love this post! Such a cool and interesting way to explore Glasgow!
Oh wow, thank you so much! x
I visited Glasgow years ago but somehow missed this. They are absolutely stunning and now revisiting is on my bucket list!
I didn’t know about this, thanks so much. Will definitely look out for it next time I’m there!
Wow I didn’t know this existed in Glasgow, and I just got back from there! But this is definitely something I want to check out, especially since the photos you posted look pretty interesting to see in real life!
Fab!!! Scotland is on our bucket list, thanks for the info!!! X
Fabulous post, I love the art. Glasgow is on the list…
Wow! These murals are stunning! It’s so interesting that wall murals and street art are such a big thing nowadays. I just read a post about Dublin and now Glasgow!
Miri
http://Www.travelingwithmiriandmargo.com
Wow…….this murals are beautiful and also good for Instagram. Thank you for taking me on a virtual tour to Glasgow.
Thank you Fadima! Glad you liked this post!
I’ve never been to Scotland but if I find myself in Glasgow I’ll definitely do this trail. This artwork is OUTSTANDING! I’d love to see it in person 🙂
Thanks for the comment, Jenny! The Glasgow mural trail is an amazing way to get to know a bit more about the city and its incredibly talented artists! x
Wow, this makes me want to visit Glasgow.
Looks so beautiful making the city special.
Thanks for the tips..
Thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad you liked this post x
The artistic talents of these muralists are amazing!
I agree! They’re incredible! x
That artwork is amazing! I had no idea Glasgow was filled with so much art. Definitely pinning for a future dream trip to scotland!
So glad to hear this post has inspired you to plan a trip to Scotland! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we did x
I was supposed to go to Glasgow this year, but now it is rescheduled for next (hopefully). This is amazing artwork and I definitely will have to check some of these out when I do go.
Oh no, so sorry to hear that Cheyenne! I’m sure even though it’s been rescheduled, you’ll have an incredible time in Glasgow. It’s one of my favourite parts in Scotland! x
Hola,
Great post. The art work is excellent, so are your pictures. I should visit Glasgow soon, it looks amazing.
Adriana
Hola Adriana, thank you for your comment! I’m glad you liked this post and I hope you get to visit Glasgow soon! x
That’s amazing art and a very original post!
We had to cancel our trip to Scotland planned in May due to Coronavirus… We would have love so much to visit Glascow and Edinburgh, as well as the beautiful nature of Scotland…. Now we know we have to check out all that street arts as well! Thank you
Thank you so much Francois! So sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip to Scotland; hopefully you get to visit soon! It’s beautiful up there, I can’t wait to be back myself! x
Each mural is fantastic and I like the second one most; an old man with a bird. It appears as a digital 3D picture.
I can’t wait to visit Glasgow.
Thanks Shikha! That mural in particular depicts a modern St Mungo – the patron Saint of Glasgow! x
I love this blog!
The murals look so artistic, quite the contrast to the Belfast ones!
This has inspired me to revisit Edinburgh!
Joseph
Thank you Joseph! The Glasgow murals have a different theme to the Belfast ones, but worth checking out too! x
Wow, what great artists there are along the trail. I haven’t heard of this before, but I bet it is a great way to explore Glasgow as well. Definitely up there on my places to visit now!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
Thanks for the comment Aimsy! I’m glad this post has inspired you to visit Glasgow. The mural trail is a great way to explore the city! x
I am a huge fan of art in public spaces and generally making art more accessible. I love the sound of this initiative, and the art works are gorgeous!
Thanks for stopping by, Shirsha! I agree, it’s a great way to experience the talent of Glasgow first hand x
Hi! The murals looks so aesthetic and pleasant to look at! I wish I can see them someday⭐
Thanks for the comment, Stuti! I hope you get to visit Glasgow soon!
This is lovely! It makes me want to visit Glasgow. Thanks so much for posting!
Thanks Alisa! Glasgow is beautiful, I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Oh wow, this art is absolutely amazing.
I love it too!
Love the street art, really creative.
Thanks for the comment Cherryl! Definitely, street art makes exploring Glasgow even better!