Glasgow: Grit, Murals, and Unexpected Delights
Glasgow has been a pleasant surprise—gritty, real, and filled with unexpected beauty. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but compared to Edinburgh, which feels somewhat polished and touristy, Glasgow is more lived in. More approachable. Like Oakland is to San Francisco.
And it has incredible murals! If you know me, you know I love photographing street art, especially giant murals. The scale, the talent, the strategy—it amazes me every time. Glasgow delivered in a big way. Since 2008, artists have been transforming walls across the city center, leading to the creation of the Glasgow City Centre Mural Trail, complete with an interactive map. Naturally, I made it my mission to see as many as possible.
Chasing Murals in the Rain
Of course, there were complications. Scotland’s rain showed up, as expected. Edinburgh had teased me with just a few passing showers and occasional patches of blue sky. But Glasgow gave me a full-on downpour—on my last day, no less.
Thank goodness for waterproof trail runners and trekking pants (purchased just for this trip!). I sloshed through the streets anyway, determined to finish the mural trail. And in the end, the rain gave me more than wet clothes: moody skies, reflective streets, and a city mostly free of tourists. I saw corners I might have otherwise missed—a reminder to stay open to possibilities.
Bubbles — Renfield Lane, Glasgow, Scotland (Artist: Rogue One)
A Surprising Spot of Tea
Another unexpected delight: the Mackintosh at the Willow tea room. I’m not really a tea drinker, but this historic gem—designed in 1903 by Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and restored in 2018—won me over.
I booked an afternoon tea, complete with a historic tea room sitting (a tour is also available to book). The word I rarely use but have to here? Delightful. Those crustless sandwiches and little bites were delicious. And the Edinburgh blend tea nearly converted me into a tea drinker for the day. Highly recommend.
Moral of the Story
The moral? Stay open. Possibilities often show up in unexpected ways—sometimes better than what you planned. That’s the beauty of traveling, and honestly, of life, too.