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