The Merchant City: A Self Guided Audio Tour of Glasgow

Duration1h - 1h 20m

Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before

Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away

TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted

LanguagesEnglish

Private tourOnly your group will participate

Overview

Experience the magic of GPS on this self-guided walking tour through Glasgow.

Three hundred years ago the wider Glasgow area was mostly countryside, with the Cathedral at its centre. The city began to change in the 1500s when Scotland became a Protestant country. Lucrative pilgrimages to Glasgow that had long been made by Roman Catholics ended, replaced by tobacco from America.

You’ll hear how Glasgow went from surviving to thriving, transitioning from the tobacco trade to cotton and, later, heavy engineering to eventually become the burgeoning ‘Second City’ of the Empire. How did these merchants become wealthy beyond our imaginings? Slavery.

We’ll explore Glasgow’s roles in slavery and its abolition while we walk the streets of the Merchant City district, discovering how the city developed from the 1600s until today. Everywhere you turn, from George Square to the Royal Exchange Square, you’ll encounter the wealth of Glasgow’s merchants written in stone.

What's included

Get unlimited, lifetime use of this tour, before your booking date and after it
The virtual playback option, so you can listen to this tour like an audiobook from anywhere
Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

What to expect

George Square
Pass by

Start your tour at George Square, the heart of Glasgow's civic life. Learn about its history and the mini Statue of Liberty, as well as the many notable statues that surround it.
City Chambers
Pass by

Located on the east side of George Square, this grand municipal building showcases the wealth and ambition of Glasgow in the late 19th century. Discover its opulent interiors and fascinating history.
Pass by

Visit the famous statue with its iconic traffic cone hat. Discover the story behind this quirky tradition and its significance to the city's culture.
Royal Exchange Square
Pass by

Walk to the Royal Exchange Square, home to the Gallery of Modern Art. Hear about Glasgow's role in the tobacco trade and how it led to the city's wealth.
Merchant City
Pass by

Stroll through the Merchant City district, where the wealth from the tobacco and sugar trades is evident in the grand architecture. Learn about the merchants who built these stunning buildings and their impact on the city.
Pass by

Explore the historic Tron Church, an important site in Glasgow's religious and social history. Learn about its role during the Reformation and its influence on the city's development.
St Andrews In The Square - Glasgow
Pass by

A beautiful 18th-century former church now used as a cultural venue. Discover its history and the role it played in the lives of Glasgow’s merchants and their families.
Saints of Ingram
Pass by

An elegant building that was originally a hospital and school for boys. Learn about its charitable origins and the impact of the Hutcheson brothers on Glasgow’s educational landscape.
Buchanan Street
Pass by

One of Glasgow’s main shopping streets, filled with high-end shops and historic architecture. Hear about its transformation over the centuries and its role in the city’s commercial life.
Pass by

End your tour at Blythswood Square, an elegant area that once housed the city's wealthy merchants. Discover the history of the square and its surrounding buildings, which reflect the grandeur of Glasgow's past.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The statue of Walter Scott is in the centre of George Square; the tour starts at the statue. George Square is in the centre of the city, beside Queen Street Station. It is easily reached on foot, by bus, or by train.

End point

The tour ends at Madeline Smith House at No. 7 Blythswood Square.

Additional information

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

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From

$9.99 per person

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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts
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Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours · Booked through Viator

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