The Grand Central Hotel stands at the corner of Gordon Street and Hope Street, forming the impressive frontage of Glasgow Central Station and adjoining the station concourse.
Since opening in 1883, the hotel has played a significant role in Glasgow’s history, welcoming countless famous guests and earning its place as one of the city’s most beloved landmarks.
Over the years, the building has undergone several transformations, the most recent taking place during the pandemic, when it reopened as voco Grand Central Glasgow in April 2021.
The hotel also holds a unique place in technological history as it was here, on the fourth floor, that John Logie Baird successfully transmitted images over 438 miles of telephone lines from Glasgow to London.
Here are 12 famous faces who have stayed at Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel.
5. Winston Churchill
The former Prime Minister used the hotel as his base when visiting Glasgow in 1949 to address a crowd of unionists at Ibrox. | Getty Images
6. Danny Kaye
Danny Kaye was one of the biggest names in show business during the 1940s and 50s. When he visited the city to perform a string of dates at the Empire Theatre and provide the pre-match entertainment at the 1950 Glasgow Charity Cup final he was met with a crowd of 10,000 people waiting to welcome him outside the hotel. Photo: Third party
7. Billy Connolly
Although a native to the city, Billy Connolly has checked in at one of the city’s most exclusive hotels whilst he has been on tour. | TSPL
8. Gene Kelly
Gene Kelly visited the city in 1953 when he was scouting for locations for his forthcoming movie Brigadoon with the start posing for a terrific photograph on Gordon Street after staying at the Central Hotel. | Getty Images