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Unusual Glasgow: 22 of the most unusual and fascinating things to do and see in Glasgow

Declan McConville
By Declan McConville

Digital Reporter

Published 30th Oct 2023, 15:30 BST
Updated 24th May 2024, 12:04 BST

This is a curious and quirky guide to some of Glasgow’s best attractions

Glasgow is a vibrant city that has no shortage of things going on which has a rich heritage that truly makes it a city like no other in the world.

Everybody knows the most popular tourist spots around Glasgow such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Glasgow Cathedral, so we’ve picked out some of the most hidden and unusual things to do around the city as recommended by Atlas Obscura.

Whether you want to take a step back in time in Garnethill or discover forgotten parts of the city, this guide will let you see a different side to Glasgow.

Whether you want to take a step back in time in Garnethill or discover forgotten parts of the city, this guide will let you see a different side to Glasgow.

Templeton on the Green was a purpose-built carpet factory. It was meant to display opulence, which was a tricky thing to get right in reserved Victorian Society who preferred the imposing majesty of Gothic Revival architecture. After repeated design proposals had been rejected by the Glasgow Corporation, Templeton hired the famous architect William Leiper to produce a design that would be so grand it could not possibly be rejected, so William Leiper modelled the building on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, which was constructed in the alternative Venetian Gothic style.

17. Templeton on the Green

Templeton on the Green was a purpose-built carpet factory. It was meant to display opulence, which was a tricky thing to get right in reserved Victorian Society who preferred the imposing majesty of Gothic Revival architecture. After repeated design proposals had been rejected by the Glasgow Corporation, Templeton hired the famous architect William Leiper to produce a design that would be so grand it could not possibly be rejected, so William Leiper modelled the building on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, which was constructed in the alternative Venetian Gothic style. | Contributed

The Arlington Bar on Woodlands Road claims to be the home of the real Stone of Destiny which sits proudly in the bar. Whether this is true or another Glaswegian pub landlord tall tale is anyone’s guess.

18. Stone of Destiny

The Arlington Bar on Woodlands Road claims to be the home of the real Stone of Destiny which sits proudly in the bar. Whether this is true or another Glaswegian pub landlord tall tale is anyone’s guess. | Contributed

The Gorbals Boys statues were based on a photograph captured by Oscar Marzoli which depicts three little boys playing with their mothers’ high heels in the 1960s. Local sculptor Liz Peden recreated the scene with the statues standing on the corner of Cumberland Street and Queen Elizabeth Gardens.

19. Gorbals Boys statues

The Gorbals Boys statues were based on a photograph captured by Oscar Marzoli which depicts three little boys playing with their mothers’ high heels in the 1960s. Local sculptor Liz Peden recreated the scene with the statues standing on the corner of Cumberland Street and Queen Elizabeth Gardens. | Supplied

The neon sign found on New Wynd which links Trongate to Osborne Street was designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Douglas Gordon who was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece Vertigo.

20. Empire sign

The neon sign found on New Wynd which links Trongate to Osborne Street was designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Douglas Gordon who was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 masterpiece Vertigo. | Supplied

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