Glasgow’s Tourist Boom Unveiled
In the heart of Glasgow, where the vibrant cityscape intertwines with its rich cultural tapestry, a story of friendship, adventure, and entrepreneurial spirit unfolds. It was not too long ago when the bustling streets of Glasgow lacked the presence of guided walking tours for curious visitors. However, in early 2017, two friends, Jenny Benson from Dunfermline and Liv Barber from Kent, embarked on a journey to fill this void and share their passion for Scotland’s largest city.
The duo, both alumni of a business program at university, took a leap of faith despite initial trepidation stemming from their lack of experience. Their venture, Walking Tours in Glasgow, quickly gained traction, captivating the hearts of tourists and locals alike. The overwhelming success led to the expansion of their business to encompass various locations across Scotland in 2019, followed by a southward expansion in 2022.
As the curtains rose on the city’s growing reputation as a year-round cultural hub, the number of visitors joining the guided tours skyrocketed by over 50% from 7,000 in 2022 to a staggering 15,000 in 2024. The one-hour-and-30-minute Glasgow City Centre tour, a flagship offering by Walking Tours in Glasgow, now entices an average of 15 participants daily, immersing them in the vibrant history and allure of the city.
Liv Barber, the co-founder and managing director of Walking Tours in Glasgow, now christened as Walking Tours in the UK, anticipates a flourishing year ahead as the company gears up for the peak tourism season in 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Glasgow Times, as part of a collaborative investigation with The Herald, Liv expressed her optimism for the upcoming season, fueled by a surge in tour inquiries compared to the previous year.
She remarked, “It’s looking really good. Really positive. We had a great year last year in Glasgow and everywhere else as well. This year we’ve already got more enquiries than we had this time last year. It’s looking like it’s going to be a busy year. I think we had about 15,000 visitors on the tours last year. So, it was massive.”
Walking Tours in the UK has curated an impressive array of tour options, catering to diverse interests and preferences. In addition to the quintessential Glasgow City Centre tour, the company offers specialized experiences such as street art tours, the ‘Wee Walk and a Whisky Tour,’ and a dedicated Charles Rennie Mackintosh tour. Private city tours exploring the City Centre, Necropolis, and West End further enhance the immersive experience for visitors seeking a deeper understanding of Glasgow’s heritage.
Reflecting on the evolving landscape of tourist interests, Liv shared, “We also run an LGBTQ+ history tour and we are going to put that on again as a special event later on this year. The ‘Wee Walk and a Whisky Tour’ is a little tour where you sort of see the city and then you go and have three drams of whisky with your guide at Mharsanta Restaurant & Bar in the Merchant City.”
The allure of Glasgow extends beyond its historical charm, drawing attention as a sought-after filming location for major Hollywood productions. The company’s ‘Film Fanatics’ tours, initially launched during the Glasgow Film Festival, have now evolved into year-round private tours, offering an exclusive peek into the city’s cinematic legacy.
As Glasgow embarks on its Glasgow 850 celebrations, marking 850 years since the city’s inception, Walking Tours in the UK aims to engage locals in exploring their city’s hidden gems. With a spirit of inclusivity and discovery, the company plans to introduce special events tailored to the interests of Glasgow residents, encouraging them to delve deeper into their city’s vibrant history.
Liv’s final thoughts encapsulate the essence of Glasgow’s allure, “There’s so many stories to tell. The guides are always suggesting new ideas. There is just so much to tell about the city that it’s great to be able to show it off in different ways. There’s still lots more to do. If only it rained less we’d be a lot busier. We tell the guests that it’s the authentic experience when they get rained on.”
As the legacy of Walking Tours in the UK continues to unfold, weaving tales of Glasgow’s past and present, the journey of exploration and discovery awaits all who traverse the city’s storied streets.
