By Craig Neil. This post includes affiliate links.
The Glasgow city centre mural trail takes walkers on an interesting route through the city centre to view giant public artworks that have been painted on buildings and walls.
Discover this fascinating trail in this complete guide which provides an overview as well as handy visiting advice.
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Overview
Glasgow. The city of shipbuilding, Tennent’s lager, gothic architecture and world-class shopping malls.
There’s certainly a lot to see and do in this remarkable city and in addition to the standard tourist attractions you’ll find an eclectic mix of fascinating museums and trendy bars, as well as a collection of some of the finest art galleries in Britain.
But did you know you can also experience Glasgow’s vibrant art scene outdoors, within easy walking distance of the city centre?
Well… you can, and if you spend a little time exploring the alleyways and side streets of Scotland’s biggest city you’ll quickly discover an array of murals that showcase the cream of Scottish artistic talent.
These often thought-provoking pieces of public street art have been designed to transform the hidden corners of Glasgow into striking artworks and a walk between each one allows visitors to see parts of the city they wouldn’t otherwise find.
The street murals have also helped to rejuvenate many of Glasgow’s vacant buildings by bringing a splash of colour into areas that have been forgotten about, and the trail is now so popular it has developed into a tourist attraction in its own right.
While it’s certainly possible to wander around the city centre and randomly stumble across the murals it’s a better idea to follow a dedicated route, so you’ll find a mini-map further down this page that pinpoints a few of the most celebrated artworks.
Please bear in mind the mural trail is designed to reflect a mirror on this ever-changing city so as the buildings are upgraded or demolished some of the murals will be lost forever. With that in mind, you might like to visit the official City Centre Mural Trail website for an updated map.
The highlights
1: The artworks are a great addition to the city’s streets and as they’re constantly changing there’s always something new to see on a repeat visit.
2: The mural trail is a fantastic way to see parts of Glasgow you otherwise might never visit (which to be honest, is the whole point of it).
3: Everyone has their favourites, and for me, the Billy Connolly mural off Osborne Street sums up Glasgow the best.
Visiting tips
1: Definitely check out the official website before you look for the murals as it has a handy route map. It’s also updated regularly so it includes new additions whenever they’re created.
2: Alternatively, a few of the murals are marked on Google Maps. Don’t forget to check the Scottish Attractions Map to find attractions in each area of Glasgow.
3: Still hungry for art? Check out the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art.
BUY MURAL TOUR TICKETS: Click here to purchase
Tourist information
Following the Glasgow city centre mural trail will take you on quite an interesting walk and it’s a great way to experience the city’s culture while also learning a little bit about its history.
Credit has to be given to the city council for allowing these enormous artworks to be painted onto so many unlikely ‘art galleries’ and they really bring the buildings alive in areas that are otherwise a bit run down.
The quality of the artwork is impressive – as is the size of the things – so if you’re intending to follow the trail I highly recommend you take your camera with you because you’ll be presented with umpteen photo opportunities as you make your way around.
Most of the murals are quite Banksy-esque (I think that’s a word) and have something to say about the world, like the taxi floating on balloons, and Wind Power – the mural shown at the top of this page with dandelion seeds shaped like wind turbines.
There’s some obvious sideways thinking at work here but there are also several murals that follow a more traditional style, like Glasgow’s Tiger which incorporates a crazy level of detail for such an enormous image.
Even if you’re not a big fan of street art I think it’s worth spending some time trying to find these murals hidden down Glasgow’s often-missed alleys and streets, and who knows, you might enjoy looking for them so much you complete the entire trail in one go.
Discover more places to visit in Glasgow with: The Best Places to Visit in Glasgow – Ultimate Visitor Guide.
Walking route
Time
About an hour, depending on fitness level. Bear in mind that you will likely stop several times to view the murals, so plan for longer.
Difficulty
Easy. The trail runs through the city centre and is accessible by well-maintained modern roads and footpaths.
Route
Click map for details
Starting at the Hip-Hop Marionettes mural on George Street, follow the road east towards Strathclyde University for the next mural. Then double back and head south down Albion Street, and turn south onto Candleriggs for the Badminton mural, just off the junction of Wilson Street.
Head back to Candleriggs and continue south where you’ll find the Spaceman mural off the junction of Trongate.
Heading back to Candleriggs, follow King Street south towards the River Clyde, where you’ll find the Clutha mural on Bridgegate. A walk west along the river bank will take you to the Tiger mural, where you can then head north up Dixon Street until you reach Argyle Street for the last two artworks.
Either head east to the Argyll Street Cafe mural, or head north up Mitchell Street to the taxi mural, which is the last one on the trail.
As previously mentioned the murals will change over time so you can follow the route in Google Maps or you can head on over to the Glasgow City Centre Mural page and download a pdf file which details all the murals along with information about the artist and nearby attractions you might like to visit.
Things to do
Mural Exploration Walk: Embark on a self-guided tour of the Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail. Each mural tells a story about Glasgow’s rich cultural history and the city’s vibrant present. The murals are scattered throughout the city centre, turning otherwise mundane walls into captivating works of art.
Photography Challenge: Use the murals as a backdrop for a unique photography challenge. The murals, each with their own unique style, provide a perfect platform for creative photography. Capture the vibrant colours and intricate details of the murals with the stark contrast of the city’s buildings in the background.
Guided Mural Tour: Join a guided tour of the Mural Trail to learn more about the artists, their inspiration, and the themes they’ve chosen to portray. These tours, often led by local artists, offer insightful commentary and a deeper understanding of each mural. It’s a great way to learn about Glasgow’s art scene.
Sketching Session: Bring your sketchbook and pencils and let the murals inspire your creativity. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a novice, drawing the Glasgow city centre murals can be a fun and rewarding experience, and it’s a great way to improve your sketching skills.
Frequently asked questions
Who painted the Billy Connolly murals?
The Billy Connolly murals in Glasgow were painted by Scottish artists Jack Vettriano, Rachel Maclean and John Byrne.
How long does it take to do the Glasgow mural trail?
The route along the Glasgow Mural Trail changes as new murals are added and old ones are removed, but an approximate time to walk it is 3 hours.
Where is the street art in Glasgow?
The artworks on the Glasgow Mural Trail are located throughout the city centre, although the murals are frequently replaced. For an updated list of the locations of the murals visit the official Mural Trail Map.
What visitor facilities are there in Glasgow?
Glasgow has all the facilities of any modern city including, bus, train, and underground public transport, cafés, bars and restaurants, car parking and much more. Visit the People Make Glasgow website for updated information on available facilities.
