Posted: June 15, 2022
2022 is Visit Scotland’s Year of Stories, a year where we celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. The year will encourage locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present. It will contribute to recovery from the pandemic and inspire new stories of Scotland to be.
Over the centuries Glasgow has fostered and inspired some of Scotland great stories and story tellers, providing the back drops to authors and poets such as Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Thomas Campbell as well as stand up comedians such as Billy Connolly and Kevin Bridges.
In more recent years Glasgow’s beautiful scenery has also been used as the sets for blockbuster movies and TV shows such as Outlander, Borderland Indiana Jones, The Batman, Outlaw King and the Fast and Furious films.
Hop on our open top tour to hear some of the fascinating stories of our history and culture from out wonderful team of local guides.
Looking for some Year Stories inspiration in Glasgow?
Hop off at stop 2 to visit Glasgow Cathedral and learn all about the story of Glasgow’s beginnings and of its founder St Mungo. From this stop you can also explore the backdrop to Sir Walter Scott’s Robroy in the vaults of the Cathedral building. Hop off at stop 5 to visit the brilliant People’s Palace. Where you can learn the story the expansion of Glasgow from the 1700s onward from the age of the Tobacco Lords to the rise of the Shipbuilding industry and more.
Hop off at stop 11a and tour the Clydeside Distillery. Immerse yourself in the history of the Queen’s Dock –and its key role in the whisky industry. While you’re there, you can even enjoy a wee dram of ‘the water of life’.
Hop off at Stop 12 to explore the Riverside Museum where the story of Glasgow’s bustling transport industry is laid out in amazing interactive exhibits. Also at this stop you’ll find the The Tall Ship, the only remaining Clyde-built vessel still afloat in the UK. The restored ship showcases what life would have been like at sea in the early 20th century, has lots of family-friendly activities, is Glasgow’s free maritime museum and boasts stunning views along the Clyde into the city centre.
Hop off at Stop 14 to visit the University of Glasgow’s Hunterian Museum where you can learn the story of the Universities more famous graduates, including Lord Kelvin and William Hunter. Here you will also explore the incredible Neo-gothic cloisters of the University- often used as a film and TV set, it features in Outlaw King and Outlander.
Want to explore more of Scotland’s deep and mysterious mythology and stories? Our sister company West Coast Tours operate daily tours from March to October to Scotland’s western islands from Oban. See puffins, the ‘clowns of the sea’, and the geological marvel Fingal’s Cave on the Isle of Staffa, named after the Scottish and Irish folk hero. Discover the Three Lochs and beautiful coastline of the Isle of Mull. Soak up peace, tranquility and history on the Isle of Iona as you explore the famous abbey and world-class beaches and learn the story of St Columba and the dawn of Christianity in Scotland. The west coast is Scotland’s best kept secret and will awaken the imagination of any traveller or staycationer.
Get involved! Use the hashtag #YS2022 or #talesofscotland or tag us on social media to showcase your experience.