Since 2008 the number of murals in Glasgow has been steadily increasing, adding a welcome splash of colour to tired gable ends, plain walls and drab underpasses around the city.
New murals are added all the time as Glasgow’s vibrant tapestry of urban artworks expands, with the city becoming famous as Scotland’s mural capital. There are now so many that special trails have been devised for members of the public to take a walk and enjoy the best murals Glasgow has to offer at a leisurely pace.
Top street artists such as Smug, Rogue-one, Art Pistol and Ejek are now practically household names, while Glasgow City Council continues to fund and encourage fresh talent to emerge and make their own mark. The work of Australian artist Sam Bates, AKA Smug, is arguably the most well-known, with the honorary Glaswegian using a hyper-realistic style to create his now iconic "Streets of Glasgow" series, with works including Saint Mungo, St Enoch and Child, and Fellow Glasgow Residents.
READ MORE: Lobey Dosser mural appears in Partick as Glasgow west end gable ends set for makeover
In recent weeks we’ve had the gable end of a block of flats in Purdon Street brightened up by artist Molly Hankinson, a Tunnock’s teacake mural springing up in Garnethill, while the Commonwealth Games murals facing Partick bus station have made way for three new pieces, including a mural depicting Bud Neill’s iconic Lobey Dosser character. They are among the latest additions to Glasgow’s growing Mural Trail, which often seeks to highlight important issues and respond to current affairs.
The topical approach helps to ensure that our murals remain big talking points. The city's murals are much-loved to the point that the official trail listed as one of the top things to do on the People Make Glasgow website, with locals and visitors alike keen to see the artworks for themselves.
Let's take a look at some of our favourites;
Saint Mungo
Street artist Smug became famous in the city overnight following the unveiling of this fantastic mural adorning the gable end of tenements on the High Street. It depicts a modern-day St Mungo and references the story of The Bird That Never Flew that we were all taught at school and is located a stone's throw from the cathedral and the historic heart of the city.
St Enoch and Child
Smug knocked it out the park again with his modern-day take on St Enoch and Child. This tender and detailed mural, at the corner of High Street and George Street, is a contemporary interpretation of the city's founding story; St Thenue/Enoch cradling her beloved St Kentigern/Mungo.
Dr Connolly, I Presume?
Glasgow legends don't come much bigger than Billy Connolly, and we went to town, quite literally, to mark the world-famous comic's 75th birthday a few years back with the creation of three 50-feet murals. This one is a reproduction of a Jack Vettriano painting taken from a still from the Big Yin's World Tour of Scotland series in 1994.
It's titled “Dr Connolly I Presume” and features a windswept Billy on a storm-lashed coast near John O’Groats. Commissioned by BBC Scotland as part of the project, a Rachel Maclean digital print of Billy in a specially created outfit, was installed in the Gallowgate via a vinyl transfer, while another effort by the artist John Byrne can be seen from Old Wynd off of Osborne Street.
Lobey Dosser
Three new murals with a nod to Partick's history were recently completed as part of the Yardworks' Glasgow Riverside Innovation District (GRID) project, after the council was called upon to expand the mural trail into new areas. The trio of murals replaced artwork promoting the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Our personal favourite is London street artist Voyder's take on Bud Neill's famous cartoon sheriff Lobey Dosser, riding his trusty two-legged horse.
Bubbles
Renfield Lane received a brightening up in 2019 with this fun mural, a joint commission by street artists Rogue and Art Pistol. It features a French Bulldog and two young girls playing with bubbles.
The Musician
Glasgow loves a good sing-song and with the city centre seldom bereft of buskers, we adore this effort by Rogue and Art Pistol. You can find The Musician tucked away in Sauchiehall Lane.
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
On Mitchell Street, you'll find this colossal image depicting a girl with a magnifying glass. Catch it at the right angle and it looks as if she's plucking people off the street.
Created by artist Smug, it's within walking distance of Glasgow Central Station.
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World's Most Economical Taxi
You'll find this floating taxi on Mitchell Street adjacent to Glasgow's Buchanan Street, created by artist Rogue-one.
Fellow Glasgow Residents
They don't come much more detailed and intricate than this majestic effort from the spray can of Smug. The mural, which can be found on a gable end of Ingram Street, is packed with depictions of local wildlife.
The Lost Giant
This John Bryne-esque mural is by Australian artist Stormie Mills, who has created artworks all over the world. Stormie's Glasgow effort is dressed in the city's own tartan and can be found near the entrance to Sauchiehall Lane, adjacent to The Griffin pub.
Are Ye Dancin'
Are ye dancin'? Are ye askin'? The well-known Glasgow phrase gets a modern interpretation with this wonderful mural near Sloan's bar off Argyle Street.
Artists Art Pistol and Ciaran Globel, were inspired by another of the city’s icons – the Duke of Wellington. The Duke is joined by some pals including a giant teacake, a gallus pigeon and a bottle of Irn Bru.
The Clutha Portraits
For the past few years now the exterior of the Clutha Bar has featured an ever-evolving mural featuring the many famous faces associated with the legendary venue. Led by Art Pistol, numerous artists have contributed to the work, known collectively as the Clutha Portraits.
You can check out all the Glasgow Murals Trail for yourself here.
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