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A future for Glasgow’s Necropolis

Welcome to the online home of The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis – the official guides of the Necropolis. This website is a focus for developing interest in this fascinating Victorian garden cemetery adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral.

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We organise guided walking tours of this 37 acre cemetery full of wonderful architecture, sculpture and fascinating stories relating to the 50,000 people remembered here. As a charity, donations we receive from our tours are used for restoration work. We are always looking for new information – please contact us [email protected] if you can contribute to our website. We are particularly keen to hear from descendants of the ‘incumbents’ that can provide profiles of those buried here.

Recommended by  roughguides.com

Tour Programme

See tours page for full list of tours

The Unmarked Graves in the Glasgow Necropolis

Published May 2024 In 2017 Morag Fyfe, FoGN’s researcher, initiated a project to index the Burial Registers of the Glasgow Necropolis and in February 2024…

The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis, c/o St Mungo Museum, 2 Castle Street, Glasgow G4 0RH

A Registered Scottish Charity: No SC037918 Photographers: Ruth Johnston, Scott Kerr, David Hanlon, John Gair

Glasgow Necropolis – Exploring the City of the Dead

As darkness falls, and as the sparkling lights of the city appear in the distance. I am in the Glasgow Necropolis – exploring the city of the dead. I’m encapsulated by a stunning silhouette of Victorian tombs, monuments, and mausoleums in the Glasgow Necropolis.

A crisp winter breeze keeps me company as I quietly make my way through the “City of the Dead.” The Glasgow Necropolis is one of the largest cemeteries in Glasgow Scotland.

The entire necropolis is mine for the evening, and I embrace the peaceful silence it has to offer.

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History of the Glasgow Necropolis

Glasgow Necropolis opened in 1833. The Glasgow cemetery was modelled after Paris’s Père Lachaise cemetery.

Originally, the necropolis planned to have a tiered level of Glasgow catacombs under the hill to combat body snatchers or “resurrection men.” They would steal bodies for anatomists who were willing to offer a generous sum for fresh corpses.

Surgeons and medical students had to rely on one executed criminal’s body per year. The act of grave robbing was prevalent across Britain and became a grizzly profession for many who would provide much-needed bodies/body parts to their customers.

In 1832, Scotland created the Anatomy Act which provided a legitimate supply of corpses for medical studies. This ensured that the resurrection men would no longer be a worry and the catacombs were not built.

The historic Cathedral House Hotel , where I stay, overlooks the Glasgow Necropolis. It emanates a distinct sense of spookiness. Once functioning as a hostel for inmates released by the nearby (now closed and demolished)   Duke Street Prison. Some have said that an active ghost will brush up against you in the winding stairwell. 

Moving chairs have been heard and, perhaps most hauntingly of all, the sounds of giggling children! The only ghostly experience I hear is the rustling of keys as a nearby hotel patron struggles to enter their room.

Since I don’t actually see any other guests for the duration of my stay – it could be the “White Woman”, who is renowned for her presence in the Necropolis!

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Walking through the Glasgow Necropolis

After checking into the hotel, I immediately cross the street to visit the Necropolis and get a sense of the calming atmosphere. As I slowly climb up the stone paths, my eyes wander to each epitaph as I enjoy the history of the place.

With 3500 tombs, there are many architectural variations of gravestones. The gravestones have draped urns that are associated with cremation.

In Victorian times, people were normally buried. so the urn was used as a reference to the ancient Greeks who chose to cremate their dead. This, for the Victorians, symbolized that the deceased were cultured and educated.

Gravestones with columns represented the head of the household. Some of the gravestones have images of skulls, clasped hands, scrolls, doves and even images of the deceased themselves!

Victorian Gravestones Symbolism

Seeing all of this symbolism leads me to think about the lives of the people buried beneath. When I look at the epitaphs on each gravestone I pass, I take note of how old they were when they died.

My mind skips over the people who lived full, long lives. My thought lingers with the children or people who died early in life. I try to think about what historical events would’ve happened around their time of death.

Was it some horrible epidemic that spread illness through the land? Were they unfortunate enough to suffer from something that could so easily be cured today? Did they fall victim to a grotesque murder?

It’s like taking a step back into history and bringing these people back to life, if only just briefly!

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Glasgow Necropolis at Night

Night approaches as the last remaining visitors slowly descend the hill towards the exit of the necropolis.

The mausoleums, tombs, and gravestones I pass are weathered and overgrown with moss, revealing just how long they’ve been there.   I stand in solace, taking in the silence and stillness.

The cemetery was as beautiful and peaceful in the shade of the night as it was when the last light peeked through the clouds.

Not wanting to get lost in the labyrinthine 37 acres of Glasgow Necropolis burials, I make my way back to my hotel. I am excitedly anticipating my visit to the cemetery again in the morning.

Glasgow Necropolis – Morning Walk

I wake up before the sun rises and hurry toward the necropolis. As I approach the main gates, rays of golden sun wash over the tombs. The necropolis comes alive with the sounds of birds and squirrels who have made their home among the dead.

I snap as many pictures as I can before entering the enchanting cemetery. As I make my way up to the memorial of John Knox which towers over the entire necropolis, I hear, off in the distance, the faint sounds of a pipe band complete with bagpipes and drums.

I am in a quiet, peaceful haven, far away from the bustling city that is just waking up and coming to life.

Related Post: Historic Edinburgh Cemeteries to Explore

Glasgow Necropolis Tours

Visiting Glasgow Necropolis was such an amazing experience, and it will forever hold a place in my memories as one of the best mornings I’ve had in Scotland.

I opted to explore the necropolis on my own on a Glasgow Necropolis self-guided tour.

If you are not up for that and want to visit the Glasgow Necropolis to explore the city of the dead. The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis offers many guided walking tours which may be beneficial for those who don’t know too much about the history of the site.

You can learn more about the guided tours by visiting the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis website .

Getting to Glasgow Necropolis:

The Necropolis is located on Castle Street, which is on the eastern edge of Glasgow City Centre and on the second-highest hill in Glasgow.

The main gates sit behind St Mungo’s Museum and are adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral. Walk from the Glasgow Cross and follow the high street until you reach St. Mungo’s Museum. You can find more information about this route on the  Glasgow Necropolis website .

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Glasgow Necropolis Visitor Guide

The Glasgow Necropolis is a prominent Victorian garden cemetery located on a low but prominent hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral. Often described as one of the most significant cemeteries in Europe, the Necropolis is a testament to the 19th-century trend of creating grandiose burial places for the wealthy and influential members of society.

The Necropolis is renowned for being the final resting place of more than fifty thousand people, as well as being one of the first multi-faith graveyards in the world. It’s free to visit, and guided tours are available on request.

If you’re in Glasgow and looking for something to do that’s a bit out of the ordinary, you might enjoy taking a walk around the 37-acre Necropolis next to the city’s imposing cathedral . This Victorian cemetery is the final resting place for over fifty thousand Glasgow residents, and among the gravestones you’ll find memorials dedicated to some of the greatest Scots that have ever lived.

From John Knox (the founder of Scotland’s Presbyterian Church) to Charles Rennie Mackintosh (Scotland’s most famous architect), you’ll find a huge number of monuments in the Necropolis.

Like most Victorian burial sites, Glasgow’s Necropolis is laid out like an informal park, with meandering paths running throughout a vast collection of gravestones that’s reminiscent of the equally large Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. While some memorials are enormous and very elaborate, there are others that are rather nondescript, and this eclectic mix of tombs lends the site an ethereal, other-worldly atmosphere.

There are around 3,500 monuments in this city of the dead, but the most famous has to be the one dedicated to John Knox which sits on top of the highest point of the graveyard. From there, you’ll get a fantastic elevated view across the city, with the cathedral in the foreground and Glasgow’s rambling streets spreading out in every direction.

The Necropolis is an incredibly atmospheric place that’s definitely worth visiting if you’re intending to view the nearby cathedral.

The Highlights

1: The Glasgow Necropolis is often referred to as a ‘city of the dead,’ and it features an extraordinary collection of monuments, sculptures, and mausoleums. Visitors can admire the intricate stonework and architectural styles ranging from Egyptian to Gothic and Classical, designed by notable architects and sculptors of the time.

2: Situated on a prominent hill, the Necropolis offers some of the best panoramic views of Glasgow. Visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas that include Glasgow Cathedral, the city skyline, and, on a clear day, the distant Campsie Fells.

3: Guided tours are available, providing insights into the lives of those interred, many of whom were influential figures in Glasgow’s history, including merchants, politicians, and artists. The informative tours help visitors understand the historical context and the evolution of Glasgow through the ages.

Visiting Tips

1: The Necropolis is set on a hill with uneven terrain, including cobbled paths, steep slopes, and stairs. To navigate these safely and comfortably, it’s advisable to wear sturdy shoes with good grips. This is particularly important in wet weather when the paths can become slippery.

2: The Glasgow Necropolis is not just a tourist attraction; it is a resting place for thousands of people, so visitors should be respectful of the graves and memorials. Avoid touching or leaning on the stones as many are old and may be fragile or unstable. Keep to the paths where possible and refrain from littering or causing any form of damage.

3: While the Necropolis is open to the public and you can explore on your own, you may gain more from your visit by joining a guided tour that provides fascinating insights into the history of the cemetery, the symbolism of the monuments, and the stories of the notable individuals buried there.

Tourist Information

The best thing about a visit to the Necropolis is losing yourself in the myriad paths that thread across the hill like an enormous spiderweb. Ornate gravestones surround you as soon as you cross the Bridge of Sighs (the bridge at the main entrance), and if you look closer, you’ll notice some incredibly detailed carvings.

The graveyard is unusual in that it’s multi-faith, and you’ll find Catholics, Quakers, Protestants, and Jews laid to rest amongst the burial plots in a design that was ahead of its time for its inclusion of different religions.

While the John Knox monument might be the first place you head to (although he’s not even buried at the Necropolis; instead, you’ll find him under the car park of St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh ), there are many more interesting gravestones to keep an eye open for.

One of the more random memorials is the one dedicated to William Miller, the poet who penned the children’s nursery rhyme ‘Wee Willie Winkie’, while one of the most surprising has to be the grave of the very first person to be buried in the Necropolis – an 18th-century Jewish jeweller.

If you really want to discover the history of Glasgow’s Necropolis, you can book yourself onto a two-hour informal guided walking tour run by a group of volunteer tour guides who are extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the place. They don’t ask for a fee to join the tour, but they do request voluntary donations that go towards the upkeep of the Necropolis.

Alternatively, you’re free to wander around the site at your leisure, and as the site is unmanned, it is usually open till late, although you might like to give it a miss when it’s dark for your own safety.

If you enjoy wildlife spotting, you might be interested to know that The Necropolis is Glasgow’s second-largest green space. The graveyard is full of plants and animals and there are large areas of wildflowers, trees, and ivy-covered quarry faces.

There are more than 180 different species of flowering plants and trees across the graveyard that attract insects and a variety of birds that feed on them, and you might be lucky enough to see pipistrelle bats flitting about the sky at dusk. There are also wood mice, voles, and roe deer, although the deer are usually only seen late at night.

Prior to the Necropolis being the home of Glasgow’s dead, the site on which it’s located – known as Wester Crags – had been planted with fir trees and was used as a public park. Unfortunately, the firs struggled to survive, so in the early 1800s they were replaced with willow and elm, and the site was transformed into a Victorian arboretum.

It was around this time that the first foundation stone was laid for the John Knox monument, which is now the focal point of the entire graveyard. With the growing need to find somewhere to bury the dead of the city’s ever-expanding population, Glasgow’s city planners looked for inner-city areas to create a new graveyard, and Fir Park, the peaceful but failing Victorian arboretum, became the obvious choice.

The passing of the Cemeteries Act in 1832 meant that burial sites could be created for profit, so The Glasgow Merchants House purchased the land to develop a picturesque site that would rival the graveyards of Paris. With that thought in mind, the job of designing the Necropolis was awarded to a landscape gardener rather than an architect.

The Necropolis officially opened in 1833 as an interdenominational burial ground, but it was a full year before the first Christian burial took place. We know this because the Necropolis kept details of all burials, including age, sex, and cause of death – something that was very unusual for the time.

The ornate entrance and bridge, known as the Bridge of Sighs, was completed in 1836, with later extensions added in 1877 and 1892, plus three additional memorials installed between the entrance gate and the bridge. These memorials are dedicated to the still-born children of Glasgow, the soldiers lost in the Korean War, and the Glaswegian recipients of the Victoria Cross.

The burial grounds continued to be run privately until 1966 when The Merchant’s House handed the Necropolis over to Glasgow City Council, which now maintains it for public access.

The Commonwealth War Graves

The Western Necropolis is a large cemetery complex north of Glasgow City Centre. Adjoining this site are Glasgow Lambhill and Glasgow St. Kentigern’s Cemetery, as well as The Glasgow Garnet Hill Hebrew Burial Ground and Glasgow Crematorium Memorial. Vehicle access is prohibited at all sites in the evenings, with gates closing at 5 p.m. in the winter and 6 p.m. in the summer, but pedestrian access is still possible.

During the two world wars, the United Kingdom became an island fortress used for training troops and launching land, sea, and air operations around the globe. There are more than 170,000 Commonwealth war graves in the UK, many of which are those of servicemen and women killed in active service or who later succumbed to wounds.

Others died in training accidents or because of sickness or disease. The graves, many of them privately owned and marked by private memorials, can be found in more than 12,000 cemeteries and churchyards.

Glasgow was one of the ports of embarkation for the British Expeditionary Force in 1914, and several military hospitals opened in the city during the First World War, including the 3rd and 4th Scottish General (1,200 beds each) and the Merryflats War Hospital (500 beds). Battalions of a number of Scottish regiments had their headquarters in Glasgow during both wars, most notably the Highland Light Infantry.

German bombers targeted the Clydeside shipyards during the Blitz, and Glasgow came under particularly ferocious attack on the night of March 13 and 14, 1941, which resulted in a large number of casualties among civilians and service members.

The Glasgow Western Necropolis contains 359 First World War burials, many of them grouped together in Section P, with a small group of Australian graves in Section N. A screen wall near the main entrance carries the badges of the regiments represented in Sections P and H.

The 124 Second World War burials are scattered throughout the cemetery, although there are two among the earlier war graves in Section P. Also in this group are two inter-war service burials and two German war graves.

Glasgow Crematorium stands within the Western Necropolis, and a memorial in the Garden of Rest commemorates one serviceman of the First World War and 72 of the Second World War whose remains were cremated there.

Commonwealth War Graves Location:

By road from the M8 exit at junction 16 and head north on A879 Craighall Road. Travel 2.5 miles on this road leading into Saracen Street and Balmore Road. Turn left onto Skirska Street, then second right onto Tresta Road. Through the housing estate, the entrance to Western Necropolis is on the right-hand side, past the entrance to St. Kentigern’s Cemetery at the end of the road.

By public transport, Gilhochil Rail Station is two minutes’ walk from the main cemetery entrance. Trains from Queen Street Station travelling to Anniesland stop at this station.

Information courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves .

Things to Do

Historical Exploration : Delve into the rich history of Glasgow by exploring the Glasgow Necropolis. This Victorian cemetery, the burial place of more than 50,000 souls, offers a unique look into the city’s past. Admire the ornate architecture of the monuments, mausoleums, and Celtic crosses, each telling its own story of a life once lived.

Photography : Famed for its atmospheric beauty, the Glasgow Necropolis is a haven for photographers. Capture the stunning cityscape views from the top of the hill during the magical golden hour for a photo you’ll be proud to share on social media.

Guided Walking Tour : Join a guided tour to truly appreciate this historic location. Expert guides will take you around the Necropolis and share fascinating tales of the notable people interred there. Click here to see some of the tours offered by Get Your Guide.

Picnic with a View : For a unique dining experience, pack a picnic, find a spot under a tree, and enjoy your lunch with the panoramic views of Glasgow spreading out before you.

Wildlife Spotting : Despite its urban location, the Necropolis is a hotspot for wildlife. Keep an eye out for a variety of birds, squirrels, and other creatures that call this place home.

Things to Do Nearby

Glasgow Cathedral . Castle St., Glasgow, G4 0QZ. 3-minute walk. Founded in 1197, this is one of the largest Christian buildings in Scotland. Glasgow Cathedral is notable for its underground crypt and post-war stained-glass windows. Entry is free, but donations are welcome.

George Square . Glasgow G2 1DH. 14-minute walk. Glasgow’s principal civic square is located in the heart of the city, next to the Grand City Chambers. This historic square was laid out in 1781 and is ringed with statues of famous Scots.

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art . 2 Castle St., Glasgow, G4 0RH. 2-minute walk. A free-to-visit museum located next to Glasgow Cathedral. This museum features a collection of religious-themed artefacts, paintings, and exhibits from all over the world. There is a café and gift shop on site.

Provand’s Lordship . 3 Castle St., Glasgow, G4 0RH. 3-minute walk. This museum is situated inside one of only four mediaeval buildings that survive in Glasgow. Built in 1471, Provand’s Lordship is furnished with a collection of 17th-century furniture and portraits. Entry is free.

The Glasgow Police Museum . First Floor, 30 Bell St., Glasgow, G1 1LG, 13-minute walk. This independent museum is dedicated to Britain’s first police force. There are exhibits of clothing and police memorabilia, and knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer any questions. Entry is free, but donations are welcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is glasgow necropolis famous.

Glasgow Necropolis is famous because it’s one of the most significant cemeteries in Europe and is widely regarded as a unique representation of Victorian cemetery design.

It’s located on a low but very prominent hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral. The Necropolis is home to around 3,500 monuments that were designed by many of the leading architects and sculptors of the time.

Is Glasgow Necropolis free?

There is no fee to enter the Glasgow Necropolis.

What is the difference between a cemetery and a necropolis?

The word ‘necropolis’ derives from the Greek nekropolis, which means ‘city of the dead’. A necropolis is a very large burial ground that is usually complete with ornate burial tombs and gravestones.

A cemetery is a simple piece of land that has been set aside for people to be buried. The land is reserved solely for that purpose and is used to memorialise the dead.

Can you walk around the Glasgow Necropolis?

Visitors are welcome to walk around and explore the Glasgow Necropolis at their leisure. The Friends of The Glasgow Necropolis organise free walking tours that explain the history of the site and the people buried there.

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Craig Neil is the author, photographer, admin, and pretty much everything else behind Out About Scotland. He lives near Edinburgh and spends his free time exploring Scotland and writing about his experiences. Follow him on Pinterest , Facebook , and YouTube .

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• The Necropolis

Necropolis 1 by _gee_

Most cities have graveyards, but very few can boast of a city of the dead , or what is the same, a necropolis . An even more lurid detail is that Glasgow has two : the Necropolis and the Southern Necropolis , but, today, we will concentrate on the classic one.

Built towards the centre-east of the city, the Glasgow Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery , that is, a cemetery from the nineteenth century, in all its Gothic splendour. It is built on the grounds of an old park of firs and accommodates 50,000 resting places , mainly reserved to wealthy families. Here, however, are also many people buried without a tombstone, and tombs date from 1832 until the 1960s (with some exceptions).

The view from the John Knox ‘s monument, the highest point, provides an exemplary overview of the city. You can see on one side, the cathedral and the Royal Infirmary , on the other, the Tennent Caledonian Breweries , which fills the air with a pleasant yeasty smell. And then there, right in front of you, Calton , Glasgow’s neighborhood with the lowest life expectancy in Europe (an average of 54 years for male residents). Very little mental power is needed to figure out a way to relate of all of these factors -alcohol, hospitals, churches and cemeteries.

But let’s not be too gloomy. We have a path to follow in our visit. A complete tour of the crypts, mausoleums, ancient Egyptian catacombs and cenotaphs , starting with the Bridge of Sighs, takes about two hours and can be organized through the association Friends of Glasgow Necropolis . It is advisable to get tickets well in advance , given the popularity of the tour. If the timetable is not convenient to you or if you travel with a group, you may also be able to arrange an individual tour through that same association, although I recommend buying a guide at Waterstones (Argyle Street – Scottish Section), and just do a derive. Only thus you will be able to enter into the spirit of the place. But despite the fog that may come to meet your expedition , this is not only a literary, historical, social or anthropological visit. Many of the 3,500 tombs of Glaswegian merchants were designed by the star architects of that era , such as John Thomas Roche, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the main representative of Art Nouveau, a precursor style of the revered Deco.

The Necropolis is open most days from 7 am until dusk , which, in winter, is about three o’clock in the afternoon. But don’t fear, if the sinister sights and sounds startle you and you lose track of time, the main doors, which are in Castle Street behind St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art , can be climbed up relatively easily. And do be careful during your visit, because accessibility is one of the limitations of the Necropolis. Any visitor should be fairly fit . The state of the tombs and general architecture (stairs, entrances, etc.) are a historical site, that is, they have not been touched almost since they were built. And if we add to this the quality of the earth, softened by constant rain, and the fact that this cemetery is on a hill, as you can imagine what you will encounter.

But do not let this dissuade you. This place is magical, mysterious and utterly charming , worthy of a story by Edgar Allan Poe. I am still surprised that there are no world-famous noir writers in the city, creators of detectives solving cases in this the old ‘Second City of the Empire’, because the Necropolis has nothing to envy Edinburgh’s vertical environment, where most of Ian Rankin ‘s books take place. People I know, though, have come across television crews filming episodes of Taggart , a police drama set in the ’80s, which lasted 24 seasons, and whose protagonist has returned from the dead a few times (how appropriate!).

The Necropolis can be a sinister place, with bats and wind, and silent graves; but also playful and creative (often, in my visits, I find children playing games, or see avid readers). It is also testimony to the history of the city. And while these different aspects can be contradictory sometimes, here, they live together.

About Laura Gonzalez

Laura Gonzalez is the Editor of Visit Glasgow. She is an artist and writer whose practice encompasses drawing, photography and sculpture, and her work has been exhibited in the UK, Spain and Portugal. When she is not following Freud, Lacan and Marx's footsteps with her camera, she lectures postgraduate students at the Glasgow School of Art.

One Response to “The Necropolis”

Just to say that the Friends of the Glasgow Necropolis appreciate the recommendation. Two corrections are that Glasgow has 4 Necropoleis – Glasgow, Southern, Eastern and Western Necropolis.

There is a typo around JT Rochead. Just says Roche.

There have also been full interments since 1960 – only if you already have a family lair. Also a lot of families still bring ashes to be buried in the family lair.

Ruth Johnston Chair of the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis

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Undiscovered Scotland

Glasgow necropolis.

Just to the east of Glasgow Cathedral, beyond the course of the (now culverted) Molindinar Burn stands a rocky hill. In 1651 this was purchased by Glasgow's Merchants' House (a powerful grouping of the city's merchants) and, after being planted with fir trees, became known as Fir Park. In 1831 the Merchants' House agreed that the land would be more profitably used as Glasgow's version of the world-famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Fir Park therefore became the Glasgow Necropolis.

Over the years since then, some 50,000 people have been buried at the Necropolis, in around 3,500 tombs that extend anything up to 14 feet below the ground and which, on the rocky upper parts of the Necropolis, had to be excavated with the aid of blasting powder.

The monuments that mark these tombs, especially in the upper parts of the Necropolis, are a tribute to the disposable wealth available - at least to some - in Victorian Glasgow, many being built on a vast scale. The result is an outdoor museum of the work of most of the leading Scottish architects of the day, as monuments compete for attention with their intricate detail and in many cases, sheer size.

Extensions to the area of the Necropolis in the latter half of the 1800s led to it reaching an overall size of 37 acres or 15 hectares (rather under a third of the size of the Père Lachaise Cemetery). In 1966 the Merchants' House gave the Necropolis to Glasgow City Council. The council cleared it of many grave surrounds and ornamental benches that both cluttered the Necropolis and made maintenance and upkeep more difficult.

Today the Necropolis is partrolled by Park Rangers, guided tours are available (see the Visitor Information section on this page), and Glasgow Necropolis is high on the list of "must visit" attractions in central Glasgow, both as an object of interest in its own right, and as a viewpoint over much of the rest of the city: the views of Glasgow Cathedral are especially good from here.

The hilly and heavily vegetated landscape, and the city centre location, must make maintenance and upkeep of the Necropolis quite a challenge: and it is true that some monuments sprout vegetation; a few bear graffiti; and some have either collapsed or sport "Danger, Keep Out" signs. But despite this, the overall feel of the Necropolis is intriguing and, though it may sound odd to say it, welcoming. You have to remember that the monuments placed here were intended to be looked at and appreciated: it was always intended that visitors should come to marvel at the architectural splendour of the monuments (and the wealth of those who paid for them).

Glasgow Necropolis was always intended to be a multi-denominational burial ground, and one of its oddities is that while some of its monuments relate to multiple burials, others are in memory of people who are not buried here at all. The most striking example of the latter category is the tallest monument in the Necropolis, to John Knox. This was actually placed here in 1825, when the area was still a park. A massive column is topped off with a 12ft high statue of John Knox himself. To modern eyes the location seems a little ironic: Knox is facing west, overlooking Glasgow Cathedral, one of the few medieval churches in Scotland not destroyed during the Reformation in which he played such a leading role.

The main entrance to the Necropolis is via ornate gates bearing the motif of the Merchants' House to the south of Glasgow Cathedral. From here a drive leads past the Cemetery Lodge and over the Bridge of Sighs. At the far end of the bridge with the hillside of the Necropolis rising steeply above, you are faced by a large sweeping stone facade containing an arch and doorway. This is a relic of a very different Necropolis that almost developed here.

In the early 1800s body-snatchers or "resurrectionists", who stole freshly-buried corpses for sale to medical schools, were a serious problem in Scotland. The Necropolis was originally intended to comprise extensive catacombs under the hill. These would have been entered only via this one easily-guarded gateway and would have protected the bodies within. But the Anatomy Act of 1832 opened up a legitimate supply of corpses for medical study and research and body-snatching simply ceased. The Necropolis therefore developed into the cemetery you see today.

Once within the Necropolis a network of paths can initially seem confusing. For those finding their own way around, there are excellent guides on sale in the bookshop of the nearby St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. Alternatively, simply keep taking the uphill option at any path junctions and you will soon find yourself in the hugely impressive upper part of the Necropolis and wonder at the evidence of conspicuous wealth on view.

While John Knox has the earliest and tallest monument, others are not far behind in terms of height. For us, one of the most striking is the mausoleum built for Major Archibald Douglas Monteath. This is a highly ornate 30ft diameter structure modelled on the Church of St Sepulchure in Cambridge. The level of detail is amazing, with every window-arch on the lower level bearing a different pattern. Perhaps the most imposing monument in terms of its combined location, bulk, height and detail is the 35ft high William Gavin Monument shown in the header image. Others are much more modest in scale, like the memorial erected by public subscription to William Miller, author of the nursery rhyme "Wee Willie Winkie".

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Glasgow Central Station Tours

Glasgow central tours offer you the chance to explore behind the scenes of glasgow's most iconic and busiest landmarks, central station.

About Glasgow Central Station Tours

Glasgow Central railway station is the largest of the two present main-line railway terminals in Glasgow. The station was opened by the Caledonian Railway on 31 July 1879. The station is steeped in history with amazing architecture, incredible underground tunnels, catacombs and has a fantastic glass roof consisting of 48000 individual panes of glass! Come on the Glasgow Central Station Tours see the buildings secret places and hear the voices of the past through stories of workers, famous station travellers and maybe even a ghost story or two... Glasgow Central Station Tours the real Glasgow experience...

Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.

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The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis run regular friendly and informal walking tours of the Glasgow Necropolis!

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Join the Burrell Collection's expert Volunteer Guides as they take you on a journey through the collection with free themed weekly tours.

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Glasgow Museums Resource Centre is home to over a million treasures, come and see for yourself on one of their regular Behind the Scenes Tours!

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A-Z of Secret Glasgow: Central Station Tours

Forget Ewan McGregor and the back streets of Auld Reekie.

When it comes to proper trainspotting, there’s only one place to go and that’s Glasgow’s Central Station.

With over 106,000 passing through each day, it’s Scotland’s busiest station.

Now you can book a behind-the-scenes tour that takes you from the clouds to the catacombs.

NEXT:  Visit the site of an old box factory for a proper ale!

Starting under the famous clock – one of Glasgow’s favourite meeting places – the 90 minute tour burrows its way underground to the eerie site of a forgotten Victorian village, passing through rooms that were used as a mortuary during the First World War, as well as an old boiler house that was the site of a 1930’s murder.

Weather permitting, you’ll also get to explore the station’s iconic glass roof.

With 48,000 panes making up 2.2 square miles of glass it is the world’s largest.

The idea for the tours came from Paul Lyons, who has worked on the railways for 18 years. He offered to take people around during the city’s Doors Open Day celebration in 2013 and was staggered to find that 83,500 people had applied for just 100 tickets.

With that sort of interest in train tourism it made sense to schedule regular events and Paul is now the knowledgeable guide telling stories of the famous people who have passed through the station since it first opened its doors 135 years ago. Everyone from Rudolph Hess to John F. Kennedy ….and of course the station’s resident ghosts…

Tours run Fri, Sat and Sun. Tickets cost £10 per person with profits covering staff costs and improvements to the station.

Address: Glasgow Central Station , Gordon St, G1 3SL

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Top Glasgow's landmarks

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Your guide to Glasgow  / Top Glasgow's landmarks

As the most populous city in Scotland, Glasgow offers a variety of things to see and do. If you're planning a trip to Glasgow and want to make sure you don't miss out on some of the top attractions and landmarks in the city, be sure to include these destinations on your list of places to visit. 

The Necropolis

The Glasgow Necropolis is a Victorian cemetery that offers incredible architecture, stunning sculptures and fascinating stories. It's estimated that around 50,000 burials have taken place in the 37-acre cemetery. When the Necropolis was first designed, it was supposed to have catacombs running deep into the hillside overlooking Glasgow. At the time, designers felt this was necessary because grave robbers would frequently exhume bodies and sell them to anatomists. 

However, when the Anatomy Act of 1832 passed and made it easier for medical professionals to study donated bodies, the grave robbers could no longer make any money and the need for catacombs ended. At that point, the impressive memorials and monuments started to appear aboveground. Today, you can take a guided or self-guided walking tour of the cemetery to learn more about the remarkable tombs and some of the famous people buried there.

Glasgow Cathedral

Located across the street from the Glasgow Necropolis, the Glasgow Cathedral is a grand medieval cathedral that's not only the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland but also the oldest building in Glasgow. The cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries on the site where it's believed Saint Kentigern was buried in A.D. 612. It's a breathtaking example of Scottish Gothic architecture.

Even though the cathedral still has an active congregation, it's open for tours on Monday through Saturday. Volunteers at the cathedral are available for guided tours that take about an hour to complete. As you're on the tour, be sure to take some time to admire the carved stone on the ceiling of the Blackadder Aisle. You'll also have an opportunity to view one of the finest collections of post-war stained glass windows in Britain.

Glasgow City Chambers

82 George Square

Glasgow City Chambers is a municipal building that has functioned as the headquarters of the Glasgow City Council since 1996. The building was constructed between 1882 and 1888 and is a fine example of Victorian civic architecture. If you're interested in learning more about some of the fascinating stories about the building's construction and history, public tours are available Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Duke of Wellington Statue

16 Royal Exchange Square

Glaswegians have a unique sense of humor, and nowhere else is this more apparent than at the Duke of Wellington statue. The statue was erected in 1844 to honor Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington, who is best known for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. For around 140 years, the statue stood without much interest. However, in the early 1980s, an orange traffic cone mysteriously appeared on the Duke's head one night. While no one knows exactly why the cone first appeared, most believe it was the result of a drunken dare between college students.

Although the Glasgow City Council tried numerous times to remove the cone, a new one always showed up again. Eventually, the cone became such a symbol of the city and so popular with everyone that the City Council gave in and allowed it to stay.

The River Clyde

The River Clyde is the second-longest river in Scotland and cuts right through the heart of the city. It played a major role in shipbuilding and the Industrial Revolution in Glasgow. At one time, the banks of the Clyde were lined with shipyards and factories. When the shipbuilding industry started to decline in Glasgow, many buildings were abandoned. However, the city now has renewed interest in the waterway thanks to the Clyde Waterfront Regeneration project. Nearly 13 miles of the waterfront has been redeveloped to house museums, hotels, residential areas, a business district and more. If you want to explore some of the most popular attractions and uncover the history of the river, spend some time strolling down the river's walkways.

Riverside Museum

100 Pointhouse Road

Part of the revitalization project on the Clyde included the construction of the Riverside Museum . This modern museum houses over 3,000 objects that explore the history of transportation. During your visit, you can learn more about Glasgow's shipbuilding history or climb aboard a tram, bus or train to get a feel for old public transportation. The hands-on museum also has over 90 large touch-screen panels that showcase films and images that tell the stories behind the objects.

Provand's Lordship

3 Castle St.

Provand's Lordship is a medieval historic house that was built in 1471. It's one of only four surviving medieval buildings in the city and the oldest surviving house. The home is furnished with a nice selection of royal portraits and 17th-century historic furniture to give you a better idea of what life was like in Glasgow at one time. Behind the building, you'll find the Saint Nicholas Garden, which is an herb garden that offers a calm escape from the noise of the city.

La Pasionaria

286 Clyde St.

As you stroll along the waterfront of the River Clyde, you might notice a small statue of a woman with her arms stretched over her head. This poignant statue that sits upon a 9-foot base is called La Pasionaria and represents Dolores Ibarruri, one of the leaders of the Republican and Communist movements during the Spanish Civil War. The statue pays tribute to those killed during the conflict. At the time, 2,100 volunteers from Britain went to help the fight. 534 of those volunteers were killed, and 65 of the people who lost their lives were from Glasgow.

Glasgow offers something for everyone to enjoy. The next time you're planning a trip to this vibrant city, be sure to include some time to check out a few of these popular landmarks and attractions.

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Music and entertainment in Glasgow

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On the Glasgow Central Tour you will be given an exclusive, behind the scenes look at Glasgow Central Station. You will walk in subterranean passageways beneath Glasgow’s streets, visit railway vaults that drove Glasgow’s industrial expansion to become ‘The Second City of The British Empire’, hear tales of the famous and infamous who have travelled the tracks and stood on the platforms of Glasgow Central Station

• Glasgow Central Tours
• The History

The Tour aims to open up not just the history of Glasgow Central Station but also connect it with the great social history of Glasgow and its people. Glasgow Central Station is far more than just a transportation hub for passengers. It has been a meeting point for countless romances, a crossroads of historical events and the first sight of Glasgow for millions.

Our Tour Guides Paul Lyons and Jackie Ogilvie, bring all this to the tours. They will transport you through time with powerful storytelling. With emotion and humour as the stories weave through and around major historical events of not only Glasgow and Scotland but also the World, all of which have a Glasgow Central Station connection. Prepare to be informed, moved, and entertained on Glasgow’s number one tour

Glasgow Central Station was opened by the Caledonian Railway in 1879 on the north bank of the River Clyde. There were eight platforms linked by a railway bridge over Argyle Street to Bridge Street station on the south bank of the river. At its earliest the station was congested and in 1890 a temporary solution, that of expanding the bridge over Argyle Street and constructing a n additional station platform, was completed. However it took until 1901 before further development work on the station took place to solve the congestion problem. A solution that works well to this day.

Glasgow Central Station is the larger of the two present main-line railway terminals in Scotland’s largest city and is currently one of 20 UK stations managed by Network Rail. With over 32.8 million passenger entries and exits between April 2018 and March 2019, Glasgow Central is the busiest in Scotland and the second busiest outside London. Glasgow Central Station is registered as a Category A listed building under the Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas (Scotland) Act 1997.

If you’d like a taste of what’s in store for you, check out Travelling voices.

On the Glasgow Central Tour you will be given an exclusive, behind the scenes look at Glasgow Central Station. You will walk in subterranean passageways beneath Glasgow’s streets, visit railway vaults that drove Glasgow’s industrial expansion to become ‘The Second City of The British Empire’, hear tales of the famous and infamous who have travelled the tracks and stood on the platforms of Glasgow Central Station.

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Culture Club

Plus special guests tony hadley & heaven 17.

• Fri 13 Dec / 24 DOORS: 6.30pm Showtimes will be released approximately 3 days before the date of the event. Find Tickets

*Event timings issued are a guideline only and may be earlier or later than originally published.

Music icons Boy George and Culture Club are thrilled to announce a major UK and Ireland arena tour this December, celebrating their first two monumental albums, ‘Ki ssing to Be Clever’ and ‘ Colour by Numbers’.

Culminating at London’s The O2, the prolific band will perform these landmark albums in their entirety. Fans can expect to hear all the classic hits, including "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," "Karma Chameleon," "Time (Clock of the Heart)”, "Church of the Poison Mind," right up to their current releases.

‘Kissing to Be Clever’ , Culture Club's chart-topping 1982 debut, propelled the band to international stardom. This Grammy-nominated album established their signature sound, a captivating blend of new wave pop and reggae, further enhanced by Boy George's soulful vocals. Thematically, the album explored universal themes of love, loneliness, and societal pressures.

Following the phenomenal success of their debut, Culture Club returned in 1983 with ‘ Colour by Numbers’ , solidifying their place as pop icons. This critically acclaimed sophomore album, which garnered multiple awards and sold over 10 million copies worldwide, featured the band's biggest hit to date, "Karma Chameleon." The infectious song topped charts globally and became the biggest-selling UK single of that year.

On this brand-new tour Boy George and Culture Club will be joined by very special guests synth-pop legends Tony Hadley and Heaven 17. Tony Hadley will perform tracks to commemorate the two classic albums ‘True’ and ‘ Parade’, whilst Heaven 17 will perform tracks from their first two renowned albums ‘ Penthouse and Pavement’ and ‘ The Luxury Gap’ .

Excited for the new dates Boy George says: ‘I am calling this ‘The Zero Arguments Tour’ because we are performing our first two albums ‘Kissing To Be Clever’ and ‘Colour By Numbers’ exactly as they were made and in exact order. I love the idea of this because some of these songs are fan favourites and have never been performed. I think it will be really special for the fans. ’

Digital Tickets

We are launching Safetix on events with mobile ticketing. For more information on Safetix click here . 

Your digital tickets are unique to you. They can’t be copied, stolen or used as a screenshot and are always stored in your online account, safe and secure, wherever you are.

Your mobile is now your ticket.

Delivering the best purchase experience, digital tickets removes the inconvenience of visiting the box office in person or making a call to book. Purchase via OVOhydro.com or sec.co.uk and your tickets will be delivered straight to your device, when available. Your tickets will be stored in your TM account and can be accessed via the TM mobile app.

No more worrying if tickets will arrive in the post or hoping you get them in time for that important gift. The stress of losing or forgetting your tickets will be replaced with the confidence of knowing that they are stored securely on your device and are available for you at any time.

Transfer tickets quickly and easily to all members of your party, giving you the freedom to plan your journey to the venue. No need for everyone to arrive together or wait for that friend who is held up.

For more information about digital tickets, please click  here .

Accessible Ticket Booking

Customers who wish to buy tickets for accessible positions can do so online via our websites (ticketing powered by Ticketmaster), or by using our accessible booking line on 0141 576 3230 (open Mon-Fri 9am-2pm).

Disclaimer: Please note that Level 3 is accessible by stairs only. Some areas of Level 2 and Level 3 may not be suitable for those with mobility difficulties, those who are not comfortable with heights or those who experience vertigo.

We anticipate you should receive your tickets approximately one week prior to the event you are attending. Thank you for your patience.

• Fri 13 Dec / 24

£52.80 - £512.45 (inc admin fee) +  fulfilment

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The Giants Live World Tour Finals

Giants Live is returning to The OVO Hydro, Glasgow bringing the top strongmen from across the world to compete in the World Tour Finals!

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Paris Catacombs Tour

Paris catacombs holiday, starting from £166pp, your holiday itinerary, begin your paris holiday.

• Fly from the UK to France.
• Check in to the Hotel of your preference.
• Unpack and start your tour in Paris the city of Love with plenty to explore.
• Start with having your morning breakfast at the hotel.
• Take a daring tour to the Catacombs of Paris.
• You can add more tour in the city of Love.
• Enjoy your stay in Paris.

Departing from Paris

• Start packing for your return from Paris, France to the UK.
• That’s an unforgettable Dark Holiday!
• Return Flights
• 10kg Hand Luggage
• 3/4 Star Hotel in Paris
• Bed & Breakfast Basis
• Catacombs of Paris Tickets

Tour Highlights

• This 2 night Paris Catacombs dark holiday is inclusive of a return air ticket, 2 night stay at a hotel with breakfast and Skip the Line: Catacombs of Paris Ticket and Audio-Guide tour.
• Dig deep into the “City of Lights” and uncover its darker side on this exclusive Paris Catacombs dark holiday.
• Avoid queues and beat the rush with pre-booked tickets and ‘skip-the-line’ access to the Paris Catacombs.
• Descend into the eerie tunnels and rooms decorated with skulls and bones of six million people at this sombre site in Paris, France.
• Listen to the in-depth commentary of this grisly attraction in either English, Spanish or French with your own audio-guide.
• Explore the dark underworld of Paris on this adventure below ground and uncover the hidden darkness behind this proclaimed city of love and light.
• Have an epic adventure in one of Paris’ most mysterious sights and make the most of your precious time on this Paris Catacombs dark holiday.

Additional Info

• Offer includes Accommodation on Bed & Breakfast basis, Return Flight, Catacombs of Paris Ticket and Audio-Guide, Airport Transfers.
• Valid to travel on selected dates from April to September 2024.
• Supplementary charges may apply for alternative flights.
• ATOL protected holiday.
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Doja Cat review, Ovo Hydro Glasgow: Rapper’s first UK arena tour showcases her charisma – and her growing pains

I t sometimes seems like Doja Cat lives her entire life within the 9:16 box of an Instagram Story. The 28-year-old American rapper and singer is a true internet-era celebrity, a performer who owes her hits (as well as the occasional controversy ) to the whizzy virality of social media. As she walks out at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena on Tuesday to kick off her UK stadium tour, I wonder how someone so eminently online will approach a large-scale live experience. From the opening rendition of the pugnacious, Drake-like “ACKNOWLEDGE ME”, which she performs while flanked by two large angel wings made of hair, it’s clear the answer is: with verve.

Doja (real name Amala Dlamini) begins the night wearing a long, blonde wig, an oversized, unbuttoned shirt and lingerie; after a couple of songs, the shirt is gone. It’s at this point too that the energy lifts, as she launches into a propulsive performance of “WYM Freestyle”. Almost every song she goes through tonight is drawn from last year’s album Scarlet , or this April’s expanded re-release, Scarlet 2 CLAUDE. Both were top-to-toe hip-hop records, a pointed departure from the pop-leaning material that preceded it. Lyrically, her concerns were largely unchanged: topics such as sex, fame, the internet, herself.

Throughout the first tracks of the night, Doja moves a little stiffly, her face stony with concentration; when, five songs in, she switches to an older favourite – 2019’s “Tia Tamera”, with its dextrous and catchy barrage of pop-culture references – you can see her start to have a good time.

Scarlet was very much a “proof of concept” when it comes to Doja’s rapping credentials; tracks such as “Get Into It (Yuh)” and the trap hit “Need to Know”, a Nicki Minaj-inspired single from 2021’s Planet Her , let her really flex this on stage. This latter number draws some boisterous rapping-along from the loud but rather static stalls section. It ends with her guitarist stepping out centre stage for a long and squealy solo. (He is dressed in hair-covered trousers from the waist down, giving him the look of Mr Tumnus from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , or as if an actor playing Chewbacca needed to go out for a cigarette.)

Halfway through the set, Doja tells the crowd: “I won’t sing Hilary Duff this time, I’m not gonna do that.” It’s a tongue-in-cheek reference to her Parklife set last week, when a cover of Duff’s “Come Clean” drew bafflement from her audience. This is quite comfortably the most that Doja says between songs all night. In her music, though, she’s loquacious – her lyrics might not have the depth or sophistication of some of the genre’s very best, but they’re slick and undeniably infectious.

On the one hand, the production is refreshingly low-maintenance for a 90-minute stadium gig: there are no costume changes and few elaborate group dances. What it does have is enough pyrotechnics to produce a remake of Backdraft , and a complicated set design involving an elevating platform hung from the ceiling, which sort of resembles a U-boat, or a long metallic baguette. Doja climbs onto this platform, harnessed, as she performs “Can’t Wait” and “Agora Hills”, auto-tuning her vocals over a patient trap beat. She never looks completely at ease when she’s dangled some five-to-10 metres above the ground, but she twerks through it anyway. The live band, meanwhile, are arranged on top of what I first assume to be bales of hay; on closer inspection, these too, seem to be made of hair.

A gig of this scale perhaps requires a larger and more diverse repertoire to really draw from. Doja blasts through 24 tracks on the night, but they begin to bleed into each other. “Often” is a lull – sparse and slightly dissonant – and you can sense the energy sap from the room. But the high points are compelling: the snaky melodies of “Attention”; the snappy and dynamic “Rules”.

The climax of the show comes with her biggest hit, “Paint the Town Red”. It’s a big banger, and she obviously knows it: dangling the microphone in the direction of the crowd, she defers the staccatoed, slightly off-kilter scansion of the verses to the word-perfect onlookers. The encore, “Wet Vagina”, struggles to really follow it.

What we’re left with is an imperfect set, but a perfect showcase of Doja’s electric confidence, what younger gig-goers might call her rizz . There were four backing singers on stage throughout the night, but I couldn’t tell you anything about them. All eyes – and all cameras – were trained on Doja Cat. As they should be.

Tickets for Doja Cat’s The Scarlet Tour are on sale now

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Euros 2024 – Articles

Doja Cat keeps Glasgow fans at a distance in surprisingly tame tour show 

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Doja Cat ’s Scarlet Tour is a spectacle, there’s no other way to put it. She dances around in nothing but a white bra and pants with knee high boots across a stage covered in hay bales made from blonde hair.

Known for her shock tactics and huge staging at the likes of Coachella , her tour is surprisingly pared down.

The simple staging with some moving platforms barely hints at the gig she’s about to put on at Glasgow ’s Ovo Hydro arena for her first ever European headlining tour. Not a minute goes by the Demons rapper isn’t surrounded by fireworks and actual flames – a logistical nightmare with all that hair.

The show rips through dance numbers, with a handful of slower songs thrown in. Notably, these were the ones the chatter level in the room rose and fans chose to take their toilet breaks during.

Ultimately, The Scarlet Tour is here to make you jump, not move you to tears. That example is set by Doja who writhes around, shaking her ass and moving constantly for the entire show. At one point she lounges on a bed of hair but it doesn’t take long before she’s up and grinding again. 

Her dynamic with the crowd has a clear hierarchy, this isn’t meant to endear you to the human behind the hits – it’s a display of power. 

It took half an hour for her to say anything beyond ‘hi’ to the crowd and even then it was a quick joke about her Hilary Duff fumble at Parklife . This is the only glimmer in the show that Doja could possibly care about what her fans think. She’s not here to make friends. 

Her setlist was completely jumbled from previous gigs to keep things fresh but fan favourite Say So remains despite the singer being infamously tired of performing it. However, it was a shortened rendition with Doja letting the crowd sing most of the track. 

If one song could sum up the entire show it would be Attention. She knelt before the crowd and begged for applause which was freely given by the hyped up crowd. Throughout the gig, Doja gave no instructions, no pause for chats, no break in the bass heavy music. This was a speedrun of hits, take it or leave it. 

Recent hit and penultimate song Paint the Town Red got the loudest response from the audience. Doja and her backup singers finally brought out a little choreography and I was thankful for it; the drops and shakes were getting a little repetitive.

Closing the show on Wet Vagina of all songs, Doja waved goodbye and stalked off stage. There is no question of an encore, she’s done singing and that’s all you’re getting.

The Scarlet Tour is something to behold but it all blurs together into one with no costume changes or interactions to punctuate her tracks. By keeping fans at a distance, Doja Cat’s show runs the risk of being repetitive but she could never be forgettable.

Tickets for Doja Cat’s tour are available via Live Nation and Ticketmaster .

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