The Magnificent and Mysterious History of Glasgow

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

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.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

There is walking time between attractions, around 40-45 minutes

The tour will last approximately 2 hours and 45minutes

Even when we're walking between the main attractions, there's plenty to see and talk about.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Historical Information

Storytelling

Local knowledge

What To Expect

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

10 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Glasgow War Memorial

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 • Admission Not Applicable

Options

The Magnificent and Mysterious History of Glasgow

Reviews

4.84

37 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great overview with some...
Tammy S,
Sep 26, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Great overview with some interesting facts. Very knowledgeable guide. Unfortunately, the park square was under construction & we were unable to go into the beautiful church due to a private service. Would still recommend this walking tour.
Missed Opportunity
blockbox78misc,
Sep 9, 2025
- Viator
2.00
We book tours based on Viator reviews, so feel the need to point out that this is not a 5 star tour. The tour guide is very likeable and approachable, but the structure and the content of the tour need to be dusted off and redone. The first 6 stops on the tour don’t exist because of construction that started 4 months ago and will last for 2 years. But the tour still starts in the same spot. It is clear that there are many overarching themes that the guide could expand on based on his choice of stops (the art scene in Glasgow, the impact of religion from founding through wars to present day, the quirky anti-establishment vein in Glasgow and where that came from, the impact of the slave trade on Glasgow’s finances vs its stand against apartheid, etc), but the guide’s explanations don’t make these links clear. It is a stop based tour (this is the art museum) not a insight tour (Glasgow was named as one of the top cultural cities in the EU because xxxx and the art museum is an example of this). If you want to see Glasgow, this is a good tour. If the guide wants you to understand and embrace Glasgow, he needs to rework the material.
Gritty Glasgow
Lucy,
Jul 9, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This tour will give you a good idea of the history of Glasgow and its origin story. If you are interested in architecture you’ll love it. It will also give you an insight into the character of the city and an appreciation for its artistic side. It’s a great basis for deciding what to look at in more depth . And our guide Bruce, was very knowledgeable and engaging.
Bruce shared some...
Linda R,
Jun 18, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Bruce shared some interesting facts particularly about St. Mungo. Also directed us to necropolis for view. Would have liked a little more on architecture.
Great overview of Glasgow
Benjamin D,
May 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00
This was a fun and interesting tour. We learned a lot about Glasgow’s history, including some really random fun facts. It would have been better with a smaller group size. We missed things because we couldn’t hear sometimes. I’d rather pay a few more dollars and be in a smaller group (another tour we did the day before was half the size and better for it). Note - this tour doesn’t end back where you started - it ends in an area you’ll likely want to explore, so plan accordingly if you’re doing multiple tours in one day - you’ll want time after this one to explore a bit and then make your way back to the starting point or whatever might be next. Glasgow is a beautiful city and we are so glad we got to learn more about it on this tour!