The port city of Glasgow embraces some of the best cultural attractions in Scotland, and the striking thing is that most of them are accessible for free. Visitors could spend their time exploring its neighborhoods and relishing the city's splendid shopping & dining experiences. One remarkable way of touring this city is through the Glasgow Mural Trail. The city flaunts a Mural Trail that features an eclectic range of art in the form of 29 murals across the city center that is accessible via well-kept, modern roads and footpaths & suitable for wheelchairs & strollers as well. It has contributed a platform for talented artists to showcase their works of art. Let us explore further!
What is Glasgow Mural Trail?
The city center mural trail was formally launched in 2014. On this walking tour, you will spot massive murals on the building walls, some of which take you to the secluded & often-skipped alleys of Glasgow, which are all a part of this renowned mural trail. The impressive street murals are considered a fantastic idea to decorate blank walls and idle buildings to transfigure these areas of the city into a canvas of beautiful artworks which are otherwise less appealing. The lanes & alleys are now enlivened with splashes of vivid hues. Notably, the eye-catchy artworks along the mural trail largely focus on making the visitors explore the city on foot. There is a vast range of artwork on display, from conventional to quirky, that suit the tastes of every visitor. Also, these are constantly changing, and there is something new on your next visit.
Here are 15 of the popular murals featured along Glasgow Mural Trail:
1. St Mungo
Snuggled around the corner from the mural of St Enoch & child, the popular mural of St Mungo (Saint Kentigern) was finalized in February 2016. It was created by Sam Bites, an Australian graffiti artist based in Glasgow, and is one of the most remarkable murals in the city. You will find this mural on a gable down the High street that depicts the patron saint of Glasgow - St Mungo, and portrays the story of The Bird That Never Flew. One of his miracles as per which taking the dead bird in his hands, St Mungo prayed for it & brought it back into its senses. This mural was untitled until it got its name due to the extensive social media interest when its photo was shared around 1.5 million times in the first week.
Location: 287 High Street, GlasgowArtist: SMUG (Sam Bites)
2. Strathclyde University Wonderwall
The Wonderwall mural was created as a tribute to the people of the University of Strathclyde & their noteworthy achievements. This wall spans over 1,000 sq m and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Royal Charter, which granted the institution the status of a University and the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It covers three 7- story gables. Besides, the second mural illustrates the Dansken equatorial telescope that was formerly used to teach nautical astronomy.
The Land-ship part of the Wonderwall mural was taken from a 1913 photograph, and it tells the story of the Land-Ship, which was a mock navigation bridge constructed on the rooftop of the School of Navigation, Royal College. Being a revolving platform with a Kelvin compass mounted atop, the Land-ship was used to teach the principles of compass adjustment to the scholars. Notably, Strathclyde Wonderwall is the largest mural in the city.
Location: Strathclyde University, Graham Hills Building, 50 George Street, GlasgowArtists: Art Pistol with Rogue-One and Ejek
3. St Enoch & Child
Another impressive work of art by SMUG is the mural of St Enoch and Child that complements the mature modern-day image of a St Mungo on High Street. Embracing a tenderness, this mural is located at the corner of High Street and George Street, around the corner from the modern-day St Mungo. Notably, this is a contemporary interpretation of the founding story of Glasgow - St Enoch/Thenue cradling her dearest St Kentigern/Mungo. The artist has managed to present it as an emotionally connecting, explicit artwork that exemplifies his style.
Location: 9-17 George Street, GlasgowArtist: Sam Bites
4. Bubbles
Catch the sight of bubbles at Renfield Lane in the city center. This bubble-themed fun mural was created in 2019 and represents the fact that bubbles can cast lovely shadows. It involves two facing walls that portray two pretty little girls playing with bubbles on one side and a French bulldog on the other.
Location: Renfield Lane (between Hope Street & Renfield Street), GlasgowArtist: Rogue One
5. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Within a walkable distance of the Glasgow Central Station, you will notice this giant life-like street art on Mitchell Street. This mural portrays a girl with a magnifying glass which seems like she is picking up something from the street. When seen from the right place at a particular angle, it looks as if she is picking the people passing by the street!
Location: 34 Mitchell Street, GlasgowArtist: SMUG
6. Spaceman
The Spaceman is the first of the murals located in a hidden lane. Peeping out onto Trongate, it offers a splash of color to its lane, at the corner of New Wynd. This cosmic mural by Recoat and Ali Wyllie is inspired by a Japanese comic book and graphic design culture. It is evident from the color choices, and use of slick, clean lines, & geometric backgrounds in this artwork.
Location: 117 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HDArtist: Recoat, Ally Wyllie
7. Fellow Glasgow Residents
Situated in the heart of the popular Merchant City in Glasgow, the Fellow Glasgow Residents Mural is a huge street painting on Ingram Street. It is a wonderful work of art at the gable end wall alongside the Ingram Street car park, which illustrates the varied Scottish wildlife living in and around the city's greenspaces in all four seasons. It celebrates the splendid parks and green areas scattered around the city. Visitors can spot birds, squirrels, chipmunks, hedgehogs, badgers, foxes, and even deer in this large painting that is worth capturing.
Location: Ingram St, Merchant City, Glasgow G1 1LEArtist: Sam Bites
8. Study of a Woman in Black 1 & 2
The Study of a Woman in Black is three very detailed works of art at three different locations in the city. These are portraits of the artist's subjects - anonymous women dressed in black. The Study of a Woman in Black - 1, is located at Bridgegate Path, adjacent to Glasgow Green. Its companion piece - Study of a Woman in Black 2, is next to the grand St Andrews Square. Both these intrigue the viewer with mystery.
Location: Study of a Woman in Black 1: 24-6 Bridgegate; Study of a Woman in Black 2: 1-21 Street Andrews Square, GlasgowArtist: James Klinge
9. Wind Power
Another creative piece adding colors to the city is Wing Power, which is located on Mitchell Street, near the Lighthouse. It was initially conceived as a live installation as a portion of the Doors Open Day 2014 event. The mural highlights the varied range of clean & sustainable energy production in Glasgow & throughout Scotland.
Location: Lane onto Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3LX.Artist: Rogue One and Art Pistol
10. The Glasgow Panda
Glasgow's Panda is an adorable mural that is one of the hidden gems on the mural trail. It is located beside the Bamboo gates of Gordon Lane, just opposite the Lighthouse, which is the Centre for Design & Architecture in Scotland. You can visit the Lighthouse while passing by this mural, as it has free admission and offers amazing views of the city from the top floor.
Location: 10 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow G1 3NUArtist: Klingatron
11. As Good as Gold
As Good as Gold is a mural snuggled down the lane beside Princes square, close to Buchanan Street. It is created by the duo of street artist Conzo Throb and Ciarán Glöbel. It represents the popular chocolate bar Freddo and is a fun comment on inflation via this bar that used to sell out for 10p. Since then, the price rises every couple of years.
Location: Springfield Court, Buchanan St, GlasgowArtists: Conzo & Glöbel
12. The World's Most Economical Taxi
Close to the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) & Glasgow Style Mile, this mural is nestled right in the middle of the city and is a suitable place to end your mural trail tour, if you prefer a shorter tour. Artist Rogue created this remarkable mural that shows a taxi being economical because instead of running on fuel, it is floating with balloons. He first painted bricks on the wall because he wanted a brick wall backdrop for this artwork.
Location: 33 Mitchell Street, Glasgow G1 3LNArtist: Rogue One
13. Today We’re In Love Aren't We?
In 2019, this attractive 20-meter-high mural was created to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Glasgow’s Doors Open Days Festival. It is nestled on Brown Street, near the River Clyde. It also celebrates many buildings around Glasgow and illustrates the broad range of architecture in the city along with a line from The Bargain by Liz Lochhead, the Glaswegian poet - 'Yes today we are in love, with the whole splintering city'. Notably, it was all painted by female artists.
Location: Brown Street, Glasgow G1 4RUArtist: The Cobolt Collective (a group of female artists)
14. Billy Connolly and Dr. Connolly I Presume?
Commissioned to celebrate the 75th birthday of Billy Connolly, the beloved Glaswegian comedian in 2017, there are two marvelous murals around the city. These are inspired by original pieces of artwork, painted here by street artist Rogue.
Billy Connolly
Adaptation of the portrait by John Byrne of his old friend Billy catches the sight of visitors in Glasgow from Osborne St, near the St Enoch shopping center.
Location: 118 Osborne Street, Glasgow G1 5RPArtist: Rogue One
Dr. Connolly, I Presume?
Another one of the two paintings of Billy Connolly by Rogue One is titled Dr. Connolly, I Presume? This mural lies just off St Enoch Square, at the popular shopping center. Commissioned by BBC Scotland, this artwork is a part of the TV show Billy Connolly: Portrait Of A Lifetime in 2017. It portrays windblown Billy on a storm-tossed coast near John O' Groats. Notably, it is a recreation of a 1994 portrait of Connolly by artist Jack Vettriano.
Another one of the two paintings of Billy Connolly by Rogue One is titled Dr. Connolly, I Presume? This mural lies just off St Enoch Square, at the popular shopping center. Commissioned by BBC Scotland, this artwork is a part of the TV show Billy Connolly: Portrait Of A Lifetime in 2017. It portrays windblown Billy on a storm-tossed coast near John O' Groats. Notably, it is a recreation of a 1994 portrait of Connolly by artist Jack Vettriano.
Location: 19 Dixon St, Glasgow G1 4ALArtist: Rogue One & Art Pistol
15. Bow Down, Honour the Roots
Bow Down, Honour the Roots is a magnificent mural on Brunswick Street. It represents the faces of the Indigenous community who attended the COP26 conference. The text that surrounds the mural is a poem written by workshop participants. The mural features Isidro Sangama from the Waiku community of San Martin, the Board member of the Ethnic Council of the Kichwa Peoples of the Amazon (CEPKA), and Puyr Tembé, representing the Tembé people of the Brazilian Amazon. They stand with a drapery of trees, birds, & beasts, a clean river, sun & moon- as a vision of a fearless future.
Location: Brunswick St, Glasgow G1 1TDArtist: Fearless Collective (a South Asia-based public art and storytelling project)
Other Remarkable Murals in Glasgow
- The Musician by Art Pistol & Rogue One Collaboration - Sauchiehall Lane, Glasgow
- Crazy Cat Lady by Art Pistol & Rouge Collaboration - Middle of Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
- The Lost Giant by Stormie Mills - 156 Elmbank Street (at Sauchiehall Lane entrance)
- The Swimmer by SMUG (Sam Bates) - Anderston Quay (Below the Kingston Bridge), Glasgow
- Study of a Women in Black 3 by James Klinge - 32 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
- The Gallery by SMUG (Sam Bates) - Old Storefront, Argyll Street
- Hand Shadow Puppets by Rouge - Cowcaddens Underpass, Glasgow
- Are Ye Dancin'? by Conzo & Globel - Argyl Street, lane next to Sloan's Bar
- Charles Rennie Mackintosh by Rogue One and Art Pistol - The Clutha Bar, 159 Bridgegate, Glasgow
- The Clutha Portraits by Art Pistol, Rogue One, and Ejek - 33 Gorbals Street, Glasgow
- Badminton by Guido Van Helten - 22 Wilson Street, Merchant Square, Glasgow
- Portrait Gallery by James Klinge - 5 Midland Street (Below Central station railway tracks)
- Thomas Muir by Art Pistol & Rogue One - Old Wynd, Glasgow, G1 5RP
- Glasgow Crocodile and Charing Cross Bird by Klingatron and Art Pistol Collaboration - Charing Cross Bridge Glasgow
Tips For Visiting Glasgow Mural Trail
- You can complete the Glasgow Mural Trail within a day, it takes approximately 3 to 4 hours. There is much walking involved, so the visitors should bring comfy shoes.
- To make things convenient, the Glasgow Mural Trail offers a map of the route to follow. The Mural Trail route changes with the addition of new murals & removal of old ones. Check out the official webpage beforehand for the updated route map.
- A favorable place to begin the walking tour is Strathclyde Street, i.e., the Wonderwall Mural, and ultimately end the tour at Sauchiehall street with the Crazy Cat Lady mural.
- Keep looking above, as the best murals in the city are always above eye level.
Glasgow is a city that heartily embosoms its magnificent street art. It features admirable urban artworks which have to liven up boulevards & corners of the Glasgow city center. Along the trail, you will spot remarkable creations by celebrated street artists and other famous instances of street art. You can explore the authentic character of Glasgow city via this walking tour. There is no trip to Glasgow complete without catching the sights of these murals!