Visit Glasgow north - People Make Glasgow

Glasgow's north neighbourhood

The city's north combines urban adventure with the calmness of green space, without forgetting its canal-side heritage.

Forth and Clyde Canal

Adventure sports

Green spaces

Community spirit

Mackintosh Queen's Cross

Stockingfield Bridge

Things to see and do

The Forth and Clyde Canal

Enjoy the beauty of the countryside in the middle of the city. Take in the iconic and historic waterway, the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Speirs Wharf was once the industrial heart of the area, as 18th and 19th century mills and warehouses. These beautiful Georgian buildings line the canal-side with cobbled streets and a network of walking and cycle routes. It is a peaceful spot for city views, food stops, wildlife spotting and taking in the houseboats and barges.

Crossing the Forth and Clyde Canal is the brand new and award-winning Stockingfield Bridge. The bridge not only reconnects three communities for the first time since 1790, but it is known for its design, surrounding public artworks, greenspace and events. It is also an active travel network for cyclists linking up Glasgow and Edinburgh. The north of the city has some great rest spot options. Some of these include the Hamiltonhill Claypits Nature Reserve, Lambhill Stables and the Old Basin House.

Visit the Scottish Canals website and find out about the great range of things to do in this area.

A young person on a wakeboard holds onto a cable that is being towed. The water from the canal sprays behind the wakeboard.

Urban Adventure by the canal

Along the road from Speirs Wharf is Play Port. It's where 3 sports attractions have teamed up to create an urban playground. Pinkston Watersports, Glasgow Wake Park and The Loading Bay Skatepark offer a range of experiences for all ages. Whether you are a beginner or an adrenalin lover, there is something for everyone. Some of these activities include kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, skateboarding, BMXing and wakeboarding. Visit the Play Port website to find the right adventure for you.

Check out Glasgow Tigers Speedway at Peugeot Ashfield Stadium, and witness one of the best speedway tracks in the UK. Check out Glasgow Tigers Speedway website for more details.

Sunlight floods in through the stained glass window across the pews in Mackintosh Queen's Cross Church.

History and heritage

The north of the city is a neighbourhood of contrasts with urban adventure sitting side-by-side with culture and heritage. A great place to learn about the history of the area is the Maryhill Burgh Halls. Opened in 1878, the halls are now a community centre with a museum. Find out more at maryhillburghhalls.org.uk.

Further along Maryhill Road is an absolute must-see, Mackintosh Queen’s Cross. As the only church designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, it is a wonderful example of gothic beauty. Check out Mackintosh Queen's Cross' website to find out what's on.

Hidden gems

Firhill Stadium is home to Partick Thistle Football Club, known as The Jags. Expect a great atmosphere at their matches and spot their infamous mascot, Kingsley.
The lesser-known Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Ruchill Free Church Halls dates back to 1899. Visitors are welcome to pop in.

Top places for food and drink

The Botany delivers comfort food using locally sourced ingredients within its restaurant. View The Botany's menus online.

Café D'Jaconelli is an artisan ice cream parlour and café that’s been in this neighbourhood since the 1920s. With its 1950s style and music, it’s a great place to enjoy classic café food and ice cream. Visit Café D'Jaconelli's Facebook page for more info.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city, visit Ocho. To enjoy freshly cooked sourced food, go to Ocho's website and book a table.

Parks and green spaces

Glasgow's north neighbourhood has plenty of wildlife. Across from the canal is Glasgow’s first inner city nature reserve, Hamilton Claypits Local Nature Reserve. The reserve is home to wonderful wildlife, flora and fauna, a boardwalk and a gigantic slide for the kids. It is also renowned for its viewpoint - on a clear day you can see as far as the Isle of Arran!

Further north, you’ll find one of the oldest nature reserves in Scotland and a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, Possil Marsh and Loch. Walk the circular route around the reserve, which is home to rare plants and 150 species of birds. Find out more at Scottish Wildlife Trust's website.

On this walk, you’ll also come across a plaque commemorating the Possil High Meteorite which fell nearby in 1804. The earliest of only four recorded meteorite falls in Scotland, the largest surviving fragment is at the Hunterian Museum within the University of Glasgow.

Another place for great viewpoints of the city is in Ruchill Park, marking one of the highest spots in Glasgow. Further north from the park is where you’ll find Lambhill Stables. Built around the early 1800s when pulling goods was via horse, the stables have been transformed into a creative community space. You will also find a beautiful garden and heritage displays. Visit Lambhill Stables' website to find out more.

Culture by the canal

The Glasgow Canal Festival takes place each summer. Guests can enjoy a day of street theatre, street food, canoe taster sessions, guided cycle tours, craft workshops, live music, pop-up opera and more. Find out more at glasgowcanalfestival.com.

Many creative spaces can be found in the former factory spaces of the north. These spaces are home to communities of creators, designers, makers and artists. They often host a mix of events and exhibitions both for the arts and local communities.

The Whisky Bond, originally a whisky bonding warehouse for Highland distilleries, houses many creative spaces including the Glasgow Sculpture Studios. On the other side of the canal is The Glue Factory, an independent arts venue and workspace. Visit thewhiskybond.co.uk and visit thegluefactory.org for more information.

Furthermore, The National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Opera both have their rehearsal spaces in the north and regularly put on pop-up shows along the canal.

Article last updated: October 2023