Glasgow Landmarks and Monuments

(Glasgow, Scotland, UK)

The modern-day landscape of Glasgow has been very much shaped by the hands of some extremely talented Scottish architects from the past. Many of the most impressive buildings are quite distinctive in their appearance, being built of red sandstone, such as both the People's Palace on Greendyke Street and the Charing Cross Mansions building on Sauchiehall Street

Born in Glasgow and known for his idiosyncratic Greek style, Andrew Thomson (1817 to 1875) was one such craftsmen and is regarded by many as leading the way in sustainable building. He was responsible for the likes of the Holmwood House on Netherlee Road, the Grecian terrace on Moray Place and the Grecian Chambers on Sauchiehall Street.

Another notable architect born in the city and now famous all over the world is the great Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 to 1928), who has become a major influence in the world of European design. Mackintosh was the man behind a number of important Glaswegian landmarks, such as Martyrs' School on Parson Street, Hill House in nearby Helensburgh, and the House for an Art Lover at Bellahouston Park, as well as the Lighthouse building on Mitchell Lane.

Those prepared to travel outside of Glasgow will find many further great buildings of note. Popular choices include Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran, Chatelherault in nearby Hamilton, Kelburn Castle close to the village of Fairlie, and Mount Stuart House on the Isle of Bute's easterly coast.

City Hall

Address: Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NP, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 5511
The wonderful Italian-style City Hall hosts many events throughout the year and has become an important entertainment venue in the Merchant City area. Highlights include the Old Fruitmarket, musical events, concerts, exhibitions and stylish meeting rooms. Glasgow City Hall is close to the St. Enoch train station, while other nearby places of interest include the Ramshorn Theatre, the Scottish Youth Theatre and the Patrick Thomas Court, which functions as a hall of residence for the university.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 18:00

Hill House

Address: Upper Colquhoun Street, Helensburgh, G84 9AG, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1436 673900
Built between the years of 1902 and 1904, Hill House is located within the neighbouring town of Helensburgh, in the Argyll and Bute area, roughly 45 minutes to the north-west of the city. This notable Rennie Mackintosh building stands next to the Firth of Clyde and boasts stunning architecture, an extensive collection of authentic Mackintosh furniture, stained-glass windows, stylish rooms, gardens and a café. Hill House is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland, with the upstairs being used by the Landmark Trust for holiday lets.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 13.30 to 17.30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

Templeton's Carpet Factory

Address: 62 Templeton Street, Glasgow, G40 1DA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
Templeton's Carpet Factory is located nearby the St. Enoch train station, being close to the Winter Gardens and the Doulton Fountain. Built in the late 19th century, the factory was originally refused planning permission and so the owner decided to create an extravagant building, that would be considered an important and stylish addition to the cityscape. With colourful tiles, glasswork and many art deco features, the building was actually originally inspired by the grand Doge's Palace in Venice and now serves as an important business centre.

Tolbooth Steeple

Address: Glasgow Cross, Glasgow, G1 5NA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
The Tolbooth Steeple is a substantial remnant of the city's old jail and courthouses, and is now used as a medieval-style clock tower. Standing seven storeys high, this slender landmark dates back almost 300 years and is located in the Trongate area of the city, being topped by a weathercock.

The Tall Ship at Riverside

Address: 150 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, G3 8RS, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 357 3699
Recently relocated from Yorkhill Quay to Pointhouse Place and situated close to the Pumphouse Visitor Centre, just up the road from the City Heliport, the Tall Ship is the affectionate name for the three-masted Glenlee, a famous ship that was originally built at Port Glasgow during the end of the 19th century. Visitors will discover many interesting exhibitions about the Glenlee and its restoration at the adjacent Riverside Museum. The refurbished Captain's cabin is a definite highlight, as is the onboard play area for younger visitors and the audio guides.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

Trades Hall of Glasgow

Address: 85 Glassford Street, Glasgow, G1 1UH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 248 5566
The centrally located Trades Hall was designed in the late 18th century for the Trade Federation by Robert Adam. This impressive, Victorian-style building features regular guided tours and a number of large function rooms. Many shops and restaurants surround the hall, such as the Mediterraneo Ristorante and Piazza Italia.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 18:00

Holmwood House

Address: 61-63 Netherlee Road, Glasgow, G44 3YG, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 637 2129
Residing on the far southerly side of the city, Holmwood House was built in the mid-19th century by highly regarded architect Alexander Thomson. This grand, classical Greek-style building is an especially recognisable landmark, with elements of its architecture resembling the ancient temples of Greece, while inside the rooms are lavishly decorated with ornate plasterwork. Guided tours are available and are recommended.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 13.30 to 17.30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

La Pasionaria

Address: Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
La Pasionaria is a modern statue of Dolores Ibarurri, a socialist hero and Spanish Republican leader. The statue stands next to St. Andrew's Cathedral and depicts this communist politician with her arms reaching into the sky, being built to commemorate those soldiers who fought and died in the Spanish Civil War during the 1930s.

The Necropolis

Address: 50 Cathedral Square, Glasgow, G4 0UZ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 552 3145
The Necropolis is located in the heart of the medieval city, nearby Glasgow Cathedral. This notable Victorian cemetery was inspired by the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris. Although there are many extravagant tombs, statues and memorials, the principal sight is the enormous statue of John Knox, which is over 62 metres tall / 196 feet. With excellent views of the cityscape and the surrounding area, the Necropolis is to be found close to the Buchanan Street train station.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 16:30
Admission: free

People's Palace and Winter Gardens

Address: Greendyke Street, Glasgow, G1 5DB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 554 0223
The People's Palace and Winter Gardens is a striking sight, being constructed from red sandstone. Opened at the beginning of 1898, the palace features some spectacular landscaped gardens, with many exotic plants and important botanical collections. The building was completely renovated in time for its 100-year anniversary, with the nearby Doulton Fountain being restored soon after.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

House for an Art Lover

Address: Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road, Glasgow, G41 5BW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 353 4770
The impressive 'House for an Art Lover' was designed by the famous Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh for a German competition in a magazine. However, this house was only finally built in 1996, with visitors discovering a number of stylish rooms and wonderful, typical Mackintosh architecture. The House for an Art Lover can be found on the south-western outskirts of Glasgow, in Bellahouston Park, next to the Bellahouston Bowling Club.
Open hours: Summer, Sunday to Thursday - 10:00 to 16:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 15:00
Winter, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00, weekdays by appointment
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

Hutchesons' Hall

Address: 158 Ingram Street, Glasgow, G1 1EJ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 552 8591
The 19th-century Hutchesons' Hall, in the Merchant City district, is named after George and Thomas Hutcheson, who are well-known in the area for founding an important 17th-century hospital. The hall features statues of the Hutcheson brothers, regular exhibitions, a gift shop and a visitors' centre, and is located close to the Buchanan Street train station. Nearby points of reference include the Ramshorn Theatre, the Alexander Turnbull Building and the John Anderson Campus of the University of Strathclyde.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

The Lighthouse

Address: 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, G1 3NU, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 221 6362
Located on Mitchell Lane and close to the House of Fraser department store, the Lighthouse functions as the centre for architecture in Scotland. This important structure was actually adapted from an original Mackintosh design in the late 1990s, at the cost of some £13 million. It was opened in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II, when Glasgow was awarded the prestigious title of UK City of Architecture and Design. The Lighthouse building features four floors, a number of galleries, many changing exhibitions, themed bars and a popular restaurant, as well as being home to the Rennie Mackintosh centre.
Open hours: Monday, Wednesday to Saturday - 10:30 to 17:00, Tuesday - 11:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Duke of Wellington

Address: Queen Street, Glasgow, G1 3AH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
The grand statue of the Duke of Wellington is located in the city centre and was created in 1844. Standing proudly in front of the Gallery of Modern Art on the Royal Exchange Square, the statue is close to the Royal Exchange Court and just across from the Princes Square Shopping Centre.

Charing Cross Mansions

Address: Sauchiehall Street / Newton Street, Glasgow, G3 6JA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
A grand red sandstone complex built towards the end of the 19th century, the Charing Cross Mansions building is located in the city centre, close to St. George's Cross train station. Designed and built by John James Burnet, this structure features elegant architecture, which was noticeably influenced by French design. The clockface is a notable highlight, as are the various statues and ornamentations.

Martyrs' School

Address: Parson Street, Glasgow, G4 0PX, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 8955
Martyrs' School was design by the city's famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and built in 1895. More recently, the landmark was almost demolished to make way for a motorway. However, after much protest, the planners were forced to divert the motorway and this important building was saved for future generations.
Open hours: daily - 13:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

George Square

Address: George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DU, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
George Square, in the heart of the city centre, is a sizeable open space located alongside the City Chambers, being used to host many important public events. Named after King George III, this large, paved area is often referred to as 'Red Square', due to the bright colour of the red asphalt. Visitors should look out for the resident statues of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Robert Burns and William Gladstone, as well as the 24-metre / 80-foot column topped with a statue of renowned Scottish historical novelist Sir Walter Scott.

Heilanman's Umbrella / Highlandman's Umbrella

Address: Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8AH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
The Highlandman's Umbrella is an eye-catching viaduct in the city centre and was built in 1906. This striking bridge carries trains out of the city and is classical in design, with attractive glass Venetian-style walls. Over the past decade, the surrounding area has enjoyed some much-needed regeneration work.

Kingston Bridge

Address: M8 Motorway through city centre, Glasgow, G2, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
Spanning the River Clyde, Kingston Bridge is one of the city's more recent landmarks and was completed in 1970. This important and stylish bridge carries in excess of 150,000 vehicles each day and is the busiest road bridge in the whole of the United Kingdom. Due to the unexpected traffic load, much repair-work was necessary in the 1990s, when the bridge was further strengthened whilst still in operation.

1-10 Moray Place

Address: 1-10 Moray Place, Strathbungo, Glasgow, G41 2AQ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
This attractive Grecian terrace is located in the South Side area of the city. Featuring ten grand houses, the terrace was designed by famous architect Andrew Thomson in the mid-19th century.

Baird Hall

Address: 460 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LN, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 6415
The Baird Hall is situated in central Glasgow and is a striking, yellow building. Designed in 1937 for the Empire Exhibition, this structure was originally home to the Beresford Hotel and features wonderful Art Deco architecture, with flagpoles, curving windows and striking fins.

Brodick Castle

Address: Brodick, Ayr, Isle of Arran, KA27 8HY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1770 302202
The 13th-century Brodick Castle was built on an ancient Viking site where a fortress once stood many years earlier. Getting here is a fair treck and is likely to take around two and a half hours, involving a ferry across the Firth of Clyde. Attractions of particular interest include attractive walled gardens, numerous rhododendrons and azaleas, a woodland area, a playground for children, a gift shop and a visitors' centre.
Open hours: Castle, April to June and September to October, daily - 11:00 to 16:30, July to August, daily - 11:00 to 17:00
Country Park, daily - 09:30 to dusk
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children, families and groups

Chatelherault

Address: Ferniegair, Hamilton, ML3 7UE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1698 426213
Chatelherault is a wonderful historic lodge, in the centre of a nearby country park in South Lanarkshire, being just under 30 minutes' drive from the city and to the south-east. This lodge once stood next to a grand palace, which was sadly destroyed by subsidence, caused by extensive coal mining. Attractions include a ruined castle, a visitors' centre, a café and a gift shop.
Open hours: April to October, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:30 and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:30,
October to March, Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00 and Sunday - 12:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Grecian Chambers

Address: 336-356 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3HW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
Designed in 1865 by highly regarded Alexander Thomson, the Grecian Chambers is a commercial category A listed building in the city centre. Currently called home by the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), the building boasts interesting architecture, with strong Greek and Egyptian influences, and a large number of windows.

The Hatrack

Address: 144 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5NP, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
The Hatrack is without doubt one of the city's most distinctive landmarks, being famous for its narrow tower-like architecture. Built at the end of the 19th-century and standing close to the Buchanan Street train station, the Hatrack features tremendous attention to detail, large walls of glass, an octagonal roof and many stone carvings, with its distinctive roof spikes earning the building its name.

Kelburn Castle

Address: Fairlie, Ayrshire, KA29 0BE, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1475 568685
The 13th-century Kelburn Castle can be found in the Ayrshire area, next to the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and around an hour to the west of the city. Home to the Earls of Glasgow, the castle also features gardens full of exotic plants, pathways, waterfalls, a horse riding centre, an assault course, a museum, a restaurant, a gift shop and many natural features. Close by you will find the Largs Golf Club and ScotSail.
Open hours: April to October, daily - 10:00 to 18:00, November to March, daily - 11:00 to dusk
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Laurieston House

Address: 54 Carlton Place, Glasgow, G5 9TW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 204 4400
Laurieston House was designed and built more than 200 years ago and can be found in the South Side area of the city, close to the St. Enoch train station. This Grade-A listed building exudes Georgian character and enjoys views across the River Clyde. The Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust has invested more than £1.6 million restoring this building and the ornate plasterwork has never looked finer.

Mount Stuart House

Address: Mount Stuart Drive, Rothesay, Isle of Bute, PA20 9LR, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1700 503877
Located on the nearby Isle of Bute, directly to the west of Glasgow, Mount Stuart House is a grand manor house with distinctive Neo-Gothic architecture. This imposing building was redesigned and reconstructed in the 1870s, when the previous early 18th-century house burnt to the ground. Step inside to find a number of paintings, stained-glass windows, historic tapestries, audio-visual displays and a gift shop, while outside, some 300 acres / 120 hectares of stunning gardens come with a playground area for children. Interestingly, Mount Stuart House was actually the first house in the world to boast a heated swimming pool and was also the first house in Scotland to feature electric lights.
Open hours: Gardens, Friday to Monday and Wednesday - 10:00 to 18:00
House, May to September, Friday to Monday and Wednesday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for children and families

Pollok House

Address: Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G43 1AT, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 616 6410
Pollok House lies on the south-western side of the city, within the heart of Pollok Country Park. This grand landmark was built in the middle of the 18th century for the affluent Maxwell family, being gifted to the city in 1966 and now managed by the Scottish National Trust. Visitors will find a museum with numerous art works, William Blake paintings, old glassware, period furniture, historic artefacts, a restaurant, a gift shop and landscaped gardens with a sizeable collection of rhododendrons.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Provand's Lordship

Address: 3 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0RH, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 552 8819
Provand's Lordship is the oldest of all the medieval houses in the city and dates back to the late 15th century, when it initially functioned as a part of St. Nicholas's Hospital. Located on Castle Street and next to Cathedral Square, this house comprises an interesting museum, 17th-century furnishings, historical artefacts and a medieval herb garden.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Friday and Sunday 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free