Glasgow Cathedral

The beautiful 12th-century Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest building in Glasgow and is the most complete medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland.

Category: Historic building, Religious site

Suitable for ages: 0 to 10 years, 11 to 18 years, 18+ years, 65+ years

Ideal for: Couples, Families, Groups, Solo travellers

I rate it: 8 out of 10

About Glasgow Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is widely recognised as one of the top tourist sights in the city, a distinction that’s totally justified in my opinion because this building is one of the most beautiful in Glasgow, if not the whole of Scotland.

The medieval cathedral was built in dedication to St. Kentigern (also known as St. Mungo) in the 1100s and has survived almost completely intact through 900 years of religious upheaval and world wars, and in fact it’s one of the most complete medieval buildings still surviving in Scotland today.

It must have been absolutely awe-inspiring when it was first built and it’s still impressive in modern times thanks to its dramatic gothic architecture and ornate stone carvings.

But it’s the interior that’ll really get your camera trigger-finger going into overdrive because it’s such a beautiful place, and I have to admit it’s one of the few buildings I’ve visited in Britain that actually made me stop and stare as soon as I walked through the main entrance. Think ‘mini York Minster‘ and you’ll have a good idea what I’m talking about.

There are loads of nooks and crannies to explore when you visit Glasgow Cathedral so kids will be kept occupied just as much as adults, especially down in the crypt that contains the remains of St. Kentigern himself.

It’s an atmospheric place to be sure, and thankfully Historic Environment Scotland (HES) have installed lots of information panels and displays so you can discover the history behind the cathedral for yourself.

Perhaps the best thing about a visit to this part of Glasgow is that it’s close to a couple of other attractions that are just a short walk away.

First, there’s the enormous sprawling expanse of The Necropolis – the Victorian garden cemetery that contains a vast collection of graves and monuments dedicated to many of Scotland’s great and good. And second, there’s St. Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art that showcases religious exhibits and objects of interest from across the globe.

I think you’ll enjoy exploring these attractions even if you’re not remotely interested in history, and seeing as all of them are completely free to visit they should definitely be at the top of your Glasgow ‘must see’ itinerary.

Things to do at Glasgow Cathedral

If you love history and architecture then you’ll be in your element at Glasgow Cathedral and I guarantee you’ll enjoy walking around this enormous building – especially if you’ve got your camera with you (but bear in mind you’re not allowed to use a flash).

I wouldn’t normally recommend parents take their kids to places like this because there’s a good chance they’ll quickly get bored, but Glasgow Cathedral is big enough that they can have a good romp around it and the information displays are genuinely interesting if they’re at the age where they can understand them.

That being said I think children under 6-7 will be looking to go elsewhere after they’ve seen the main hall and the crypt, although there are lots of things to keep adults occupied.

There are frequent exhibitions displayed in the main hall in addition to the information panels and at the time of writing (2019) there’s a brilliant display of aerial photos from across Scotland that offer a unique perspective on the nation’s towns and cities, so you’ll hopefully find something of interest in the cathedral even if you’re not the religious type.

Other highlights are the Blacader aisle ceiling (nothing to do with Rowan Atkinson…) that’s studded with impressively painted stone bosses, and the lower-level shrine of St. Kentigern that’s dimly lit and extraordinarily atmospheric.

You’ll also find a collection of stained glass windows and monuments to look at (if that’s your thing) and there are free guided tours that last around an hour if you really want to learn about the history of the city and its cathedral.

There’s a small shop on-site that has guide books and the like but there’s no cafe – which is actually a good thing in my opinion – but if you’re after a coffee you’ll find a decent cuppa at the St. Mungo Museum of Religion next door.

Finally, although there’s no fee to get in there are donation boxes near the entrance so you might want to drop a few quid in on your way out to help keep this beautiful building open to the public for many more years to come.

The history of Glasgow Cathedral

It’s been said that Glasgow was built around its cathedral and it’s certainly true that geographically the building is situated right in the heart of the city, but the origins of Glasgow Cathedral begin long before the metropolis that we know today even existed.

The cathedral was originally built on the site of a shrine dedicated to St. Kentigern who was the first bishop of the area that we know today as Strathclyde.

St. Kentigern is believed to have been buried on the site of the cathedral in 612AD but the actual building that we see today was built sometime in the late 1100s. Over time a precinct grew around the shrine to house the clergy that worshipped at the site and this, in turn, attracted tradespeople and shopkeepers to the area.

The cathedral was completed in the mid-1200s and continued to serve as the centre of the ever-expanding city until the time of the Reformation in the 16th-century when Scotland broke away from the Catholic Church and no longer needed bishops.

Glasgow Cathedral continued to be used as a place of worship after the Reformation but was separated into three parish kirks – and it’s still used as an active place of worship to this day. Unusually for a building like this it became state property in 1836 and is now cared for by HES who continue to restore and maintain it for future generations to enjoy.

If you’re looking for more sightseeing inspiration read my Guide to the Best Places to Visit in Glasgow.

The highlights

The cathedral is stunning. Remember your camera!

The crypt of St.Kentigern is incredibly atmospheric.

The Necropolis and St. Mungo museum are just a short walk away.

Visiting tips

There are no public toilets on-site but you can use the ones in the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life (but be aware it’s closed on Monday’s so the other nearest toilet is behind Provands Lordship).

Combine your visit with the St. Mungo Museum and The Necropolis.

Book your Glasgow bus tour tickets in advance.

Photos and video

Click image to view photo gallery

Virtual tour

Click image to view 360 photos

Address and map

Cathedral Precinct,

Castle Street, Glasgow,

G4 0QZ

Click map for directions

Prices and opening times

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There’s no admission charge for the cathedral but you can make a donation while you’re there.

October to March: Monday to Saturday – Admission between 10am and 3:30pm. Sunday – Admission between 1pm and 3:30pm. The Cathedral closes at 4:00 pm

Monday to Saturday – Admission between 10am and 3:30pm. Sunday – Admission between 1pm and 3:30pm. The Cathedral closes at 4:00 pm April to September: Monday to Saturday – Admission between 9:30am and 5pm. Sunday – Admission between 1 pm and 4:30 pm. The Cathedral closes at 5:30 pm

Telephone: Historic Scotland Custodians 0141 552 6891

Historic Scotland Custodians 0141 552 6891 email: Contact form

Contact form Website: Glasgow Cathedral official website

Facilities

Getting there: Bus stop nearby, Train station nearby

Getting around: Easy-access paths, Disabled access, Pushchair access

On-site conveniences: Gift shop