Soaring Through The Sky Glasgow Mural Trail Guide With City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
- Soaring Through The Sky
- Sep 29, 2019
- 11 min read
Updated: Apr 5, 2020
Glasgow has an amazing array of street murals, and no visit to the city is complete until you have found some, you will stumble upon them even if you aren’t setting out to look for them, as these huge pieces of art adorn many buildings, walkways, and streets.
These super impressive, fun and quirky creations were the initiative of Glasgow City Council who wanted to ‘rejuvenate streets and revitalise buildings and vacant sites that looked a bit tired’ and it is totally working- instead of noticing a derelict site or plain wall, your eyes dart across these massive works of art which bring colour and vibrancy to the streets. The works are also helping support local artists (and those from further afield) by providing a space for their unique creations.
The first mural was commissioned in 2008 and at present there are over 30 pieces of art, but this is forever changing as the city grows and redevelops
You may not see all of them, or all of them at the one time. If you walked the route we have suggested below, it would take over 2 hours to walk so why not combine your mural trail with a tour of Glasgow on the City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, this way you get to hear information of Glasgow and you can hop on and off at each mural!
If you do fancy walking the entire mural trail then click here!!...
The starting point for the “City Sightseeing Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off” bus tour is at George Square.
Listed below are the bus stop numbers that you will want to hop-off at to see the nearby murals. Some murals you can stay on the bus for and snap a photo from the open top double decker.
Tennent’s Lager/ Wellpark Brewery | Smug | Duke Street
Bus stop number 2
Wellpark brewery is where Scotland’s finest lager is produced, stop in for a tour of the brewery and note the outside walls in which every inch has been covered with illustrations of the Tennent’s history. Also, for Outlander fans or just Sam Heughan fans he once was their poster boy and features on their colourful wall
Saint Mungo | Smug | High Street
Bus stop number 2
The most photographed mural in Glasgow is of a modern day St Mungo- the patron saint of Glasgow
St Enoch and Child | Smug | George Street
Bus stop number 2
Just around the corner from the modern day St Mungo, Smug has created another fantastic piece of work to complement the above, this mural is a contemporary interpretation of the of mother St Enoch cradling her beloved baby boy St Mungo
Strathclyde University | Art Pistol, Rogue-One and Ejek | George Street and North Portland Street
Bus stop number 2
The Strathclyde University “Wonderwall” covers more than 1,000 sq. metres and is the UK’s largest mural. The mural celebrates students’ achievements and is depicted from a photograph from the 1920’s and has been updated to include present day students. The mural is over 200 metres long and also depicts the Dansken equatorial telescope featured, which was once used to teach nautical astronomy. And the Land-Ship was a mock up navigation bridge on the roof of the School of Navigation in the Royal College, used to teach the principles of compass adjustment
Could walk between these stops- 4 minutes’ walk
Fellow Glasgow Residents | Smug | Ingram Street Car Park
Bus stop number 3
Ingram Street car park was just once that, a car park on waste ground, now thanks to Smug’s imagination, it is a stunning space filled with a giant kilted man alongside many woodland creatures. Best viewed from afar as this piece is massive, but also best viewed close up to see all the intricate details
Badminton | Guido van Helten and Art Pistol | Wilson Street
Bus stop number 3
Installed as part of the promotional campaign for Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, this mural is part of a series depicting various sports. The Badminton mural includes action shots of Scotland player Kieran Merrilees
The Big Yin | Rachel MacLean | Gallowgate
Between 3 and 4- stay on the bus and get photographs on the left hand side
The next mural which is the first of three specially commissioned pieces for Sir Billy Connolly’s 75th Birthday is “The Big Yin" by Rachel Maclean shows Billy Connolly in a Bonnie Prince Charlie-inspired outfit, which includes references to some of his most famous jokes, including 'bike parked in bum’ epaulettes. This mural was created on a vinyl transfer and located on the gable end of a building
The Barras Pirate | Rouge- One | Barras/ BAaD
Bus stop number 4
You are now heading for The Barras market, a famous Glasgow institute, also located nearby is the famous Barrowland Ballroom, now used as a music venue. This mural is not to be missed as there is a lovely story behind its image…Looking out from one of the old walls at the side of Glasgow’s marketplace is a cute girl in a pirate’s outfit holding her toy monkey. The little girl is 6 years old local Lola Murphy who's family are friends with artist Rouge One, and the inspiration came from Lola wearing a pirate outfit!
Also be sure to check out the murals by Conzo Throb and Ciaran Globel
Study Of A Woman In Black (2) | James Klinge and Art Pistol | St Andrew's Street
Bus stop number 4
Using intricate stencilling this piece is one of two of an image of a woman portrayed in black and white
Study Of A Woman In Black (1) | James Klinge and Art Pistol | Bridgegate
Bus stop number 4
This is the second in the series of the woman in black, a stunning black and white picture
Space Man | Recoat and Ali Wylie | New Wynd
Bus stop number 6
This installation brings a pop of colour to this city centre lane with inspiration from Japanese culture, Pop, graphic design and geometric patterns
Billy Connolly | Rogue- One | Osborne Street
Bus stop number 6
For Billy Connolly’s 75th Birthday, this is the second installation created and is based on John Byrne’s “Billy Connolly” portrait
Charles Rennie Mackintosh | Rogue- One and Art Pistol | Clyde and Gorbal Street corner
Bus stop number 6
To commemorate the trailblazing architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, on his would be 150th birthday this mural was commissioned and depicts the famous Glaswegian icon and his distinctive art deco and rose motif style
The Clutha | Rogue- One, Art Pistol and Ejek | Clyde and Gorbal Street corner
Bus stop number 6
In November 2013 tragedy struck the popular Clutha Bar when a police helicopter crashed into the roof of the bar. Rogue-One, Art Pistol and Ejek skilfully combined to create a mural which pays homage to the history of the area, as well as celebrating a variety of famous faces who visited this iconic location, famous for its atmosphere and live music.
Glasgow Panda | James Klinge | Mitchell Lane
Bus stop number 7
Edinburgh may have Tian Tian and Yang Guang at the zoo, but Glasgow also has its own Panda. Located on Mitchell Lane off one of the city’s busiest streets Buchanan Street you will also find The Lighthouse designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Wind Power | Rogue-One and Art Pistol | Mitchell Street
Bus stop number 7
This mural entitled Wind Power celebrates the diversity of sustainable energy production within the Glasgow area and Scotland nationally
Honey… I Shrunk The Kids | Smug | Mitchell Street
Bus stop number 7
A colossal image of a girl with a magnifying glass, it is best portrayed from afar so walk back far enough and try to capture a fellow passer-by as they walk past, and it may just look like she is trying to pick them up!
The World’s Most Economical Taxi | Rogue-One | Mitchell Street
Bus stop number 7
Join in and hail a taxi headed to soar into the sky, which is set against a painted brick wall… on a real brick wall
Are Ye Dancin’? | Conzo Throb in collaboration with Art Pistol and Ciaran Globel | Sloans Bar, Argyle Street
Bus stop number 7
Situated just off Argyle Street, down a lane on your way to Sloan's Bar and Restaurant, this playful addition is one not to miss. “Are Ye Dancin’?” Is a Scottish phrase used by famous Scottish comedians Francie and Josie
Argyle Street Café | Smug | Argyle Street
Bus stop number 7
A fun piece of art adorns a corner in Glasgow’s bustling Argyle Street, the café depicts a number of animals enjoying a drink and something to eat.
*Currently scaffolding is covering this great piece and cannot be fully viewed
Midland Street Portraits | James Klinge | Midland Street
Bus stop number 8
The latest addition to the murals and is not yet finished is in Midland Street, under Glasgow Central Station, and is a series of portraits by James Klinge. Currently, there are three portraits which have been completed; the first, a self-portrait of the artist himself, and the others are DJs who have performed at or were regular attendees of the former nightclub, The Arches, which is located here
Dr Connolly I Presume | Rogue- One | Dixon Street
Bus stop number 8
The 3rd commemorative for Billy Connolly is a reproduction of the Jack Vettriano painting from the comedian’s World Tour of Scotland series in 1994 titled “Dr Connolly I Presume” and features a windblown Billy on a storm-lashed coast near John O’Groats on the gable end of the Hootenanny pub
Glasgow’s Tiger | James Klinge and Art Pistol | Clyde Walkway
Bus stop number 8
Street art is forever changing and adapting, on this site a large strolling tiger once dominated this wall at the Clyde Walkway, now James Klinge has collaborated with Art Pistol to re-imagine the original tiger design with a massive tiger’s face
The Gallery | Smug | Argyle and York Street corner
Bus stop number 8
The boarded-up exterior of a former store on Argyle Street now features interpretations by Smug of famous paintings including Van Gogh’s Starry Night, Munch’s The Scream, and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa *In September 2019 it was unveiled that a new development was to start on this boarded up building- so this piece may not be around for long
Cobolt Collective | Brown Street
A short walk from The Gallery is the latest mural to be unveilved in September 2019, it is to celebrate 30 years of Doors Open Day- a Scottish festival opening doors for free that normally have a charge or are not open to the public, and the work has been produced by several women (quite a rarity to have women artists in Glasgow) showcasing Glasgow
The Swimmer | Smug | Kingston Bridge, Broomielaw
Between stops 9 and 10- stay on the bus on left hand side
Beneath the Kingston Bridge, a concrete wall is emblazoned with huge Commonwealth swimmers This is one of the first murals to be commissioned in the city back in 2008
Glasgow Council Worker | Fintan Magee | Purdon Street
Between stops 12 and 13- stay on the bus left hand side or disembark at 13
Part of the commissioned work for the 2014 Commonwealth Games shows a worker seeing the beauty of the flowers around her. This is located in the trendy area of Finnieston is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, museums…
Tartan Paint | Glöbel Bros Sign, Conzo Throb and Art Pistol | Cresswell Lane
Bus stop number 15
Located at Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn just off Byres Road, a fun mural portraying Tartan Paint, that amazing colour of paint!! 😉
Glasgow Crocodile | James Klinge and Art Pistol | North Street / Woodside Crescent
Bus stop number 18
Like a real crocodile hiding in the shallows- this piece is at first hard to notice, as it hides underneath a well-used bridge, the crocodile has a 3D effect as it is wrapped around the corner of the walkway and from certain angles looks like it’s coming for you. Note the crocodile’s eye which has been strategically placed in a gap of the brick work to give the full eye effect!
Charing Cross Birds | Art Pistol and Little Book Transfers | Charing Cross
Bus stop number 18
Near to the Glasgow Crocodile there is something a little different, created by Art Pistol and Little Book Transfers, this series depicts birds, foliage and fruit together
We think it is as easy to walk from the Charing Charing Cross Birds and Glasgow Crocodile to the next mural. You will want to cross over the bridge or road until you are at the far end of Sauchiehall Street, at a lovely red and white art deco building trun right into Elmbank Street for the next mural which is hiding down Sauchiehall Lane
Walk from stop 18 to stop 19 taking 4 minutes
The Lost Giant | Stormie Mills | Sauchiehall Lane / Elmbank Street
Between stops 18 and 19
An artist we haven’t yet mentioned on the trail, Stormie Mills brings a different type of mural than we have seen so far. The Lost giant series is found in various major towns and cities all over the world and now Glasgow has its very own, complete with a tartan scarf
Big Heids | Panda | Various
From the left hand side of the bus at stop 19
On your walks you will no doubt have noticed these pieces of street graffiti art, they are on Queen Street, Sauchiehall Street and near The Birds and Glasgow Crocodile to name a few, Panda has a unique style that we haven’t seen throughout the rest of the mural trail, these ‘Big Heids’ (big heads) are cute and fun as you unwittingly walk by
The Musician | Rogue-One and Art Pistol | Sauchiehall Lane
Bus stop number 20
Rogue-One collaborates again with Art Pistol, taking inspiration from the local live music scene to create the stunning image of the musician
Crazy Cat Lady | Rogue-One | Sauchiehall Street
Bus stop number 20
This mural was created in 2018 following a fire in the surrounding buildings which have since been knocked down One for cat lovers (and even those that are more of a dog person) A number of cats play and nap around their owner’s cat slipper’d feet
Shadow Hand Puppets | Rogue-One and Art Pistol | Cowcaddens Underpass
Bus stop number 20
Located at Cowcaddens subway station in an in otherwise gloomy, well used underpass, this walk way is now adorned with hand shadow puppetry, bringing life back into the area. Evoke your childhood memories by recreating the shadow hand puppets!
Bath St Burger | Rogue-One | 22 Bath Street
Bus stop number 21
You are finished with your mural trail, and if you are anything like us- you will be hungry. We suggest visiting Bath St Burger which serves up awesome burgers and tasty shakes, there is daily specials with burgers for under £5. Oh and Rogue-One has worked his magic inside this restaurant too. Come in and see!
For Partick you can either hop off the bus at stop 12 and walk 14 minutes or from stop 15 you can walk 10-15 minutes or at stop 15 and jump on the subway Kelvinhall SPT subway to Partick
SWG3 & Railway Arches | Various Artists | SWG3
The SWG3 complex has a diverse range of venues for hire. The walls around SWG3 are covered in murals from various artists and the nearby railway arches have been transformed by various artists
Check out our blog post all about Glasgow's Railway Arch Murals & SWG3
Commonwealth Murals | Guido van Helten and Art Pistol | Partick
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games commissioned a series of murals across Glasgow to help celebrate and support the Games, in addition to the Badminton mural in Wilson Street there are a series of murals at Partick bus station located adjacent to Partick train station and represent hockey, netball and rugby
Purchasing bus tickets
Purchase your tickets on the bus (cash only) or with one of the pavement staff cash and card
Tickets are £16 adult / £15 concession / £9 child for 1 day pass or only £1 more for a 2 day pass. You can also combine your pass with a subway ticket for only £3 extra adult/ concession and £1.50 for a child. This will be handy if you want to jump on the subway to Partick or even Cowcaddens from Argyle Street
What to wear/ bring?
It is Scotland, it may rain, in any month of the year. It may also be warm. Layer up for the weather changes and bring an umbrella. Make sure you are warm as it may get chilly on the open top bus. (Check out our umbrella as it is clear and doesn’t get in the way when looking up at all the murals) And bring your camera!
The artists mentioned & Instgram handles
Smug- (Sam Bates) @smugone
Rogue-One - (Bobby McNamara) Glasgow @rogueoner
James Klinge - (Klingatron) @jamesklinge_art
Art Pistol @artpistolprojects
Ejek Glasgow @ejek98
Recoat @recoat
Ali Wylie
Panda @ohpandah
Conzo Throb @conzo_throb
Ciaran Globel / Glöbel Bros Sign @ciaranglobel
Guido van Helten @guidovanhelten
Rachel Maclean @rachela_maclean
Little Book Transfers @littlebooktransfers
Stormie Mills @stormiemills
Fintan Magee @fintan_magee
Cobolt Collective @coboltcollective
*First published, prices and art correct as of September 2019
Read more on our Glasgow Blog posts!
*Disclaimer: AD
We were offered complimentary tickets for the City Sightseeing Glasgow Bus, which we warmly received. Our content is purely our own ideas, and our own opinions. We live in Scotland and work in Glasgow, so we are genuinely passionate about the city.
Comments