×
GuruWalk Original
Free tour

The Dark and Secret Past of Glasgow Tour.

Duration: 2h
Languages: English
Guru: Gordon
Quality Verified Registered on November 24, 2020

We are three local guides, Gordon, Ian and Marty. We all live in Glasgow Ian and Marty are professional actors Gordon is a local historian. Our tours are great fun and engaging. We are Glasgow’s top rated guides with about five hundred five star reviews.

Show more
GuruWalk Original

GW Originals free walking tours are chosen by our staff among the best and are unique tours that you will only find on GuruWalk.

  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

A great tour of Glasgow with one of Scotland's leading tour guides. This is a tour of Glasgow city center but it is really an introduction to Scotland, its history and culture with Glasgow as the theme. Whether Gordon is reciting poetry in George Square or discovering Glasgow's obscure slave trade, this tour has it all. Glasgow's Victorian and Edwardian architecture is pretty grand, but it also had some of the world's worst slums and dwellings all within a few hundred yards of each other.
Learn how Glasgow went from a small medieval rural town to the 'Second City of the Empire' and within a hundred years, the Industrial Revolution began. We will explore the city center, admiring the buildings, using small alleys and secret alleys that you would never find on your own. Each building has a story, from murders to political unrest, and Gordon will explore it with you.
Ends at Glasgow Cross (place of execution) or Glasgow's Medieval Cathedral.
We will see each other soon :)

Show more
Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    VQ62+C4Q Glasgow, UK
    VQ62+C4Q Glasgow, UK
    View on map

    We meet between the lions on George square at 10.15 and leave at 10.30

  • 1
    Outside visit
    george square

    George Square is one of Glasgow's most iconic and popular tourist destinations. Located in the heart of the city, the square is home to a number of impressive buildings and monuments, including the City Chambers and the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The square is also a popular spot for events and festivals, and is often used for public demonstrations

  • 2
    Outside visit
    Buchanan Street

    Buchanan Street is one of Glasgow's main shopping streets. It is located in the city centre and runs from George Square to Argyle Street. The street is named after John Buchanan, a tobacco merchant and one of Glasgow's richest men in the 18th century. The street is home to a

  • 3
    Outside visit
    Duke of Wellington statue

    The world famous “Conehead”. Actually the Duke of Wellington outside the Gallery of Modern art. Which was once a tobacco Baron’s home!

  • 4
    Outside visit
    Tobacco Merchant's House

    The Tobacco Merchant's House on Miller Street in Glasgow! This beautiful 18th-century townhouse has been restored to its former glory and is now a museum dedicated to the history of Glasgow and the tobacco trade.

  • 5
    Outside visit
    Tolbooth Steeple

    The old and Original town hall. Prison and place of execution.

  • 6
    Outside visit
    Trongate

    The site of the “Tron” and all that remains of the old arcade.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

927 ratings
4.8
By category
Professionalism
4.88
Fun
4.76
Expression
4.84
Quality
4.81
Route
4.55
Generic
5 stars
830
4 stars
68
3 stars
18
2 stars
4
1 star
7
Miriam 17 Apr 2024
New York

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
Excellent and engaging tour!
Ross 14 Apr 2024
Brisbane

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Apr 2024
This walk was very informative and enjoyable. Luke was great and very knowledgeable on the history and dark past of Glasgow.
Deborah 13 Apr 2024
Aachen

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
Interesting facts about the history of Glasgow, nice tips for places to go and a lovely tour guide!
Liam 10 Apr 2024
London

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Mar 2024
Marty was a really great guide. The whole tour seemed authentic and was really informative!!! Well worth it
Kariah 07 Apr 2024
Sydney

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
Ian provided a great tour. He was very informative and was a great storyteller that engaged the group very well.
Show 927 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 5 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Show more
See availability
Explore
Bookings
Messages