Glasgow Cathedral Precinct

Glasgow | East End | Area sights | ★★★★

[Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis from the St Mungo Museum]

The district dominated by Glasgow Cathedral's brooding hulk is often neglected by tourists visiting the city, but it's only a 15-minute walk from the city centre, so don't be lazy. Several interesting attractions are scattered around the cathedral precinct, including an newish museum and nearly Glasgow's oldest house (probably pre-dated by Provan Hall further to the east). Hundreds of grand stone memorials pepper the skyline to the east - a cemetery seems an unappealing place to explore unless you have personal connections, but it's visually one of the most impressive in Europe.

[Provand's Lordship]

Location & info

📌 Glasgow Cathedral ★★★★
💬 The city's Church of Scotland cathedral, maintained by Historic Environment Scotland.
Castle Street, 20-min walk east of George Square, Glasgow, G.R.: NS 603656 ///sing.closes.dined
Open daily | Free

📌 Glasgow Necropolis ★★★
💬 Vast (37 acre) Victorian cemetery on a hill overlooking the cathedral, where over 50,000 people are buried - full of grand memorials, monuments and tombs
Off Castle Street, 5-min walk east from the cathedral (above). Summit is at G.R.: NS 605655 ///shine.flip.humble
Always open, plus infrequent guided tours (see website) | Free

📌 Provand's Lordship ★★★
💬 Nearly the oldest house in Glasgow - originally a medieval hospital building.
3 Castle Street, 20-min walk east of George Square, Glasgow, G.R.: NS 601654 ///error.claim.wide
Open Tuesday to Sunday | Free

📌 St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art ★★★
💬 Modern museum with exhibitions about the adjacent cathedral, major world religions, and Scottish and religious art.
2 Castle Street, 20-min walk east of George Square, Glasgow, G.R.: NS 601655 ///water.aspect.youth
Open Tuesday to Sunday | Free

[Glasgow Cathedral backed by the Royal Infirmary, seen from the Necropolis]