Starting RS Scotland 13 day tour Aug 26, 2025. Will arrive Aug 22. We're thinking that would be a light day due to arriving on international flight. Full day sightseeing 23, 24, 25 and tour begins evening on 26th.
Hope to see:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery
Cathedral and maybe Necropolis
Stirling Castle
Hunterian Museum
Botanic Gardens
Is this too much time in Glasgow for these sights? Thank you for any info, thoughts and opinions.
You will be visiting Stirling Castle and the necropolis on the tour so no need to do those on your own. A fun thing to do in Glasgow is the mural trail. The murals are large paintings on the sides of buildings. You can get a map online of the various murals and their locations in Glasgow.
It doesn't look the the tour goes to Kelvingrove, so I would definitely visit there. It is an incredible museum and there are so many wild and wonderful things there. I just loved it! There are also some very good restaurants nearby as well—I had lunch at Mother India, and really enjoyed my meal there.
I did not make it to the Botanic Gardens, but by all means go if you enjoy gardens. The Hunterian Museum was very nice and I enjoyed that as well. Here's an article from Time Out that lists a number of interesting places to see in Glasgow. https://www.timeout.com/glasgow/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-glasgow
If you are asking whether you should come in 2 - 3 nights early, I would shoot for 3 nights. There is a lot to see in Glasgow and that will give you two full days to explore. Plus it will give you one more night to reduce jet lag before your tour.
Hi Mary. Thank you for the reminder that RS tour includes Stirling Castle and the Necropolus. And the mural trail sounds very cool.
Love the suggestion of the mural walk. I joined a walking tour to view street art and murals and had a great time, even if I found it difficult to understand our guide’s VERY Scottish Glaswegian accent. The idea to pick up a mural map/guide is good but having a tour guide helps with navigation.
Another place in Glasgow that I loved was the riverfront transport museum. I spent 2 hours there. Loads of fun interactive exhibits. It was a regular stop on the very good HOHO bus.
https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum
https://walkingtoursin.com/scotland-tours/glasgow/glasgow-tours/glasgow-street-art-tour/
I just returned from this tour. Yes, the tour will go to Stirling Castle. However, based on my experience, we did not have enough time there and felt very rushed. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Hunterian Museum were delightful. Kelvingrove has free organ recitals every day. You should add the Burrell Collection to your list.
Stroll through the University of Glasgow campus. Go on a hunt for murals. If you have time, visit the Tenement House, Provand's Lordship.
I also agree with other posters about The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Hunterian Museum being wonderful to visit especially if you like the Mckintosh style of furniture and architecture. They are also stops on the HOHO bus.
Thank you one and all for all the suggestions and ideas.
You should add the Burrell Collection to your list.
Seconding this! The Burrell re-opened quite recently in a wonderful new refurbished space and it's such a nice place to visit, with a lovely (if quite expensive) restaurant. It's right in the heart of Pollok Park, which also has nice gentle walks on paved surfaces as well as a resident population of Highland cows. It's a little outside the city centre but easily reachable from Pollokshaws West train station.
Thank you. We will definitely include the Burrell Collection during our visit to Glasgow. This sounds lovely. I'm so glad we decided to have 3.5 days in Glasgow.
If you have time, add the People's Palace. You can learn the history of Glasgow from the viewpoint of its people, and learn the story of the bird, the bell, the fish, and the tree.
Mike (Auchterless)
Sadly the People's Palace is closed for refurbishment until 2027 (!). It's a great museum but the OP will miss it even in 2025.
I'd second the recommendations to see The Burrell Collection.
We spent 3.5 days in Glasgow including a day to Stirling Castle.
I just returned from this tour. Yes, the tour will go to Stirling
Castle. However, based on my experience, we did not have enough time
there and felt very rushed.
I agree with Mary, depending on your level of interest, the RS tour so may be too short. We spent 6 hours at the castle.
Bummer that the People's Palace will be closed when I'm in Glasgow. Thanks for the suggestion, Mike and thanks for heads up Gerry.
Burrell Collection for sure!
Allen, will definitely plan on additional time at the Stirling Castle on our own time. What about Day 2 on the tour....did you feel like you had sufficient time at the National Gallery included in the walking tour? Thanks.
We weren't on the tour, we did 2 weeks of Scotland on our own.
"What about Day 2 on the tour....did you feel like you had sufficient time at the National Gallery included in the walking tour? "
The Glasgow walking tour did NOT include any museums. The only site we visited was Glasgow Cathedral. Our walking tour finished around 12 noon. I had a quick lunch and spent most of the afternoon at The Burrell Collection.
This is what the Day 2 schedule includes:
Day 2: Cosmopolitan Glasgow
Today our local guide will take us on a walking tour of Scotland's often-overlooked largest city. Famous for its architecture, Glasgow boasts Victorian facades, bold new construction, and beloved works by hometown visionary Charles Rennie Mackintosh — who gave Art Nouveau a Scottish burr. Along the way, we'll learn about the city's history and contemporary life, with stops at Glasgow Cathedral, bustling George Square, and thriving Merchant City. This afternoon you're free to explore Glasgow's world-class museums and the leafy parks of the West End. Tonight, find a local pub and enjoy some live music — trad or mod — in Scotland's music capital.
Oh sorry I meant the National Cathedral. Thank you for your reply.
