Launch of Glasgow treasure hunt

Treasuredays is today launching its latest new treasure hunt.  It's in Scotland's largest city, Glasgow.  The treasure hunt route begins in George Square, winds through the historic Merchant City district and ends up at St. Mungo's Cathedral.

George Square, Glasgow treasure hunt

George Square is Glasgow's principal civic square, and is stuffed with monuments to famous Glaswegians and others, including Walter Scott, James Watt and Robbie Burns. Laid out in 1781, the square was dedicated to George III, but he's one person without a statue there, having lost popularity due to the American War of Independence and his bouts of madness.  On one side stands the magnificent Glasgow City Chambers, opened in 1888 by Queen Victoria.

Merchant City, Glasgow treasure hunt

The Merchant City district is redolent of the days when Glasgow was the second city of the British Empire.  Developed from the 1750s, it was home to the wealthy merchant 'tobacco lords' who dominated the city, and a working district of warehouses and markets.  Our route passes the Tobacco Exchange and Tobacco Merchant's House;  Hutchesons' Hall, site of the 17th century hospital bequeathed to the city by the Hutcheson brothers; the Ramshorn Kirk and graveyard; and the Britannia Music Hall, the oldest surviving music hall in the world.

St. Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow treasure hunt

The final stage of the treasure hunt heads up High Street to the cathedral.  At the bottom of High Street stands the Tolbooth Steeple.  This was built in 1625-6 at the crossing point of Glasgow's two main streets at the time, and was where the city's public hangings took place.  At the top of the hill stands Glasgow Cathedral (although it has not been the seat of a bishop since 1690 when the Church of Scotland became Presbyterian). Built in the 12th century in the Gothic style, it is thought to stand on the site of the earlier church of St. Mungo (also called St. Kentigern), the 6th century apostle of the kingdom of Strathclyde. 

The treasure hunt ends in the Cathedral Precinct. But after you finish, why not check out the many monuments in the Necropolis, the 19th century cemetery that lies just to the east.

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