the subwayist.

A LITTLE LESS WEATHER, A LITTLE MORE ART

Rainy day culture

Piping history, Mackintosh interiors and contemporary art, with a good excuse to linger along the way.

Make this my day ↗Explore the starting station
2½–4 hours suggested3 placesWalking between Subway stations

How this walk fits together

Start at Cowcaddens for the National Piping Centre, continue to the Mackintosh Tearooms, then make your way towards the Gallery of Modern Art and Buchanan Street. This route mixes indoor visits with walks between buildings, so bring a layer for the weather. Book any tour or tearoom visit you want before fixing the rest of the day around it.

Start at Cowcaddens Subway and finish at Buchanan Street Subway. Each directions link below starts from the previous place on the itinerary.

Your stops, in order

  1. The National Piping Centre

    Explore the Museum of Piping and the history of Scotland's best-known instrument in a former church near Cowcaddens.

    30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow

    Museum admission is available at reception. Organised instrument experiences and some tours require advance booking.

    Walk from Cowcaddens Subway Station, Glasgow.

    Walking directions ↗Visitor details ↗

  2. The Mackintosh Tearooms

    Restored Sauchiehall Street tearooms designed by Mackintosh for Miss Cranston, with decorative interiors, an exhibition and guided tours.

    217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

    Exhibition entry is ticketed; guided tours need advance booking. Check tearoom reservations and access to individual rooms.

    Walk from The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow.

    Walking directions ↗Visitor details ↗

  3. Gallery of Modern Art

    Glasgow's contemporary art collection in the landmark neoclassical building at Royal Exchange Square.

    Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow

    Walk from The Mackintosh Tearooms, 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow.

    Walking directions ↗Visitor details ↗

Finish at Buchanan Street

Walk back to the Subway ↗

Make this my day ↗

Another kind of Glasgow day

2–3 hours · WALKING ROUTEWest End wanderHillhead to KelvinhallFrom the gardens to Ashton Lane, past the university cloisters and into Kelvingrove Park. Take your time over the little streets in between.3–4½ hours · WALKING ROUTEShipyards & older storiesGovan to PartickDiscover Govan’s shipbuilding story and carved stones, then cross the Clyde for Glasgow’s transport collections.1½–2½ hours · WALKING ROUTEA short social circuitHillhead to KelvinbridgeMeet beside Hillhead, wander up Byres Road, then finish beside the Kelvin. Choose a couple of stops or settle in at all three.