Glasgow Necropolis

Summary

The Glasgow Necropolis is one of Europe's most important cemeteries, and a wonderful memorial to the Victorian era itself as well as the final resting place of 50,000 people. The cemetery is a fascinating place to visit and also offers great views.

Grade

Bog Factor

4.5/5

Rating

Terrain

Pavements and footpaths; a good number of steps.

Getting there

Start

Queen St Station / George Square, Glasgow. Please note there is no parking here - if arriving by car you'd need to find a city centre car park.

Public Transport

Train to Glasgow Queen Street; bus to George Square or Buchanan bus station.

Start Grid Ref

NS591655

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 3.9km / 2.5 miles
Time: 1.5 - 2 hours
Ascent: 50m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 342 - Glasgow

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

Want to sponsor this route?

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

If beginning the walk from Queen Street Station, leave via the Dundas Street exit and then turn left onto West George Street. This soon leads along the north side of Glasgow's main square, George Square, which was laid out in 1781 by James and Robert Adam. The dominant building forming the eastern side of the square is City Chambers - headquarters of the council. Continue straight ahead along George Street for two further blocks before turning left, uphill on Montrose Street. A short distance up, cross and head diagonally up through Rottenrow Gardens - the site of the former Glasgow Maternity Hospital - with its sculpture of a giant nappy pin. Aim for the steps at the far corner, and climb up these to leave through the archway.

Stage 2

From this corner head east along the broad walkway onto the campus of the University of Strathclyde. Continue straight ahead, with the sculpture garden on the left and the University buildings on your right. Ascend steps at the far end and cross a paving slabbed area, then descending steps and still keeping straight on. Turn right then immediately left to pass under the archway of the giant brick building, then keeping ahead along Rottenrow East. At a street junction turn left onto Collins Street, then after a first car park on the right turn right onto a pathway that passes the side of the gardens and then the Provand's Lordship house. This is the oldest remaining house in Glasgow, built in the 1470s. The house is now a museum.

Stage 3

Cross the busy A8 at the crossing to reach the striking building opposite. This is the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art and is a good place to find out about the world's religions, as well as more information on the Necropolis and a cafe. After visiting, continue along the right side the building and turn left at the back. Go straight ahead now to head over to visit Glasgow Cathedral - the only medieval Cathedral still intact on the mainland, having survived the reformation.

Stage 4

Return to the square in front of the Cathedral and turn sharp left through a gateway to join the main approach to the Necropolis. Head along this, crossing the Bridge of Sighs, This was built by D and J Hamilton in 1833 as the approach to the Necropolis, which forms a very impressive skyline ahead.

Stage 5

On the far side of the bridge a t-junction is reached; the doorway ahead is the entrance facade which was intended to be a gateway to a subterranean crypt with tiers of vaults to protect from bodysnatchers; however the crypt was never financially viable. Turn left along the walkway, Keep on the main walkway - ignoring a branch off to the right and then one to the left - as it climbs gently between the tombstones. When the route forks, take the left branch, then follow it as it gently curves to the right, finally turning right to head out onto the uppermost level of the Necropolis. The path soon leads amongst some of the most impressive tombs.

Stage 6

Turn right at the next junction, noting the striking domed William Rae Wilson maosoleum, built in the Moorish style for a solicitor who had travelled through and written books about Palestine. The variety of monuments is stunning, and it is worth spending a while exploring this area. The tall statue that dominates the Necropolis is of John Knox - the Calvinist leader of the Scottish Reformation. At the next junction of pathways, continue straight ahead.

Stage 7

Eventually the pathway curves sharply right beside the beautiful Major Archibald Douglas Monteath Mausoleum - Monteith made his fortune to by capturing an elephant which was carrying precious gems belonging to a Maharajah. Round the corner, ignore the first very sharp turning on the left and instead bear left at the fork just beyond, onto a path which descends back down to the foot of the Necropolis.

Stage 8

There are excellent views of the Cathedral. Head back across the Bridge of Sighs and keep straight ahead across Cathedral Square, passing to the right of the St Mungo Museum. The huge building on the north side of the square is Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Use the pedestrian crossing to cross busy Castle St once more, then turn right along the far side. Take the next left onto Cathedral Street. This eventually leads back to the centre of modern Glasgow, eventually passing beneath the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre to reach Buchanan Street, Glasgow's main shopping street. Turn left here, then left again onto West George Street to return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Glasgow Hotels

Glasgow B&B

Glasgow, Ayrshire & Lanark cottages

Glasgow, Ayrshire & Lanark hostels

Glamping and Camping

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?