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Cathedral
Glasgow Cathedral
Church of Scotland parish church, the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow.
A mini guide to
Cathedral Precinct, Necropolis & Dennistoun
The medieval cathedral, the oldest house in the city, a Victorian hilltop cemetery and Dennistoun
Photos
1 / 8Welcome to the area
The medieval cathedral, the oldest house in the city, a Victorian hilltop cemetery and Dennistoun
Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow, and one of only two medieval Scottish cathedrals to survive the Reformation virtually intact. Beside it stand Provand's Lordship, a medieval house museum, and the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, which Wikipedia calls the only museum dedicated to religion and art in the British Isles. A statue of William III, dated 1735, stands in Cathedral Square.
The Glasgow Necropolis, a Victorian cemetery on the hill to the east, opened in 1833 and has roughly 3,500 monuments. Beyond it lies Dennistoun, a mostly residential district about 2 kilometres east of the centre, with Alexandra Park, which opened in 1870 and has views to Ben Lomond. The Tennent Caledonian brewery, founded in 1740, is next to the Necropolis.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Cemetery
Glasgow Necropolis
Victorian cemetery on a hill east of the cathedral, opened in 1833, with about 3,500 monuments.
Historic house
Provand's Lordship
Medieval historic house museum at the top of Castle Street, the oldest house in the city.
Museum
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
Museum of religion in Cathedral Square, described as the only one dedicated to religion and art in the British Isles.
Directions Website Report a problem with St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
Square
Cathedral Square
Public square beside the cathedral, one of six squares and precincts in the city centre.
Monument
Equestrian statue of William III
Bronze statue of 1735 by an unknown sculptor, showing William III in Roman dress, now in Cathedral Square.
Directions Report a problem with Equestrian statue of William III
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Cathedral Precinct, Necropolis & Dennistoun and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Visit the cathedral and Provand's together
Provand's Lordship is next to the St Mungo Museum and within sight of the cathedral, so the three make a compact route.
2
Wear sturdy shoes
The Necropolis occupies a low but prominent hill with uneven paths, and has around 3,500 monuments.
3
Try a guided walk
The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis offer walking tours of the cemetery; check their site for details.
4
Go on to Dennistoun
Alexandra Park is about 3 kilometres east of the centre and is generally open from dawn to dusk, according to Wikipedia.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Cathedral Precinct, Necropolis & Dennistoun
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Cathedral Precinct, Necropolis & Dennistoun (area photo): 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Glasgow Cathedral: Bewahrerderwerte, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Glasgow Necropolis: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Provand's Lordship: TSP, CC BY 4.0, source
- St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art: MSeses, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Cathedral Square: Michael Hanselmann, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Equestrian statue of William III: Brian Deegan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Barony Hall: Stinglehammer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Martyrs' Public School: Richard Sutcliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Glasgow Royal Infirmary: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lady Well: Ciaran Roarty, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tennent Caledonian Wellpark Brewery: Barbara Carr, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Alexandra Park: Richard Sutcliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Dennistoun: Graeme Maclean from Glasgow, UK, CC BY 2.0, source
- University of Strathclyde: Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Glasgow Green & the East End: dun_deagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Partick & Hyndland: James Petts, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Shawlands & Langside: Richard Sutcliffe, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Charing Cross & Garnethill: Sonictiller, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- West End & Kelvingrove: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Merchant City & City Centre: Michael D Beckwith, CC0, source
- Finnieston, Clydeside & the Riverside: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Southside: Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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