Exploring Glasgow Through the Eyes of Those Affected by Homelessness

Invisible Cities is a social enterprise in Glasgow that has been operating since 2016. It provides tours led by people affected by homelessness, aiming to raise awareness about this issue.

During the tour, I was guided by Angie, who was full of energy. Her tour, called “People of Glasgow,” highlighted the city’s most important aspects.

We began at the People’s Palace, which is closed for renovations until around 2027. The museum showcases how Glaswegians lived, worked, and played.

Angie shared her memories of the discos held there and the fascinating artifacts on display. I look forward to visiting when it reopens. Nearby, we learned about the McLellan Arch, where public hangings occurred, the last one in 1865.

Next, we visited the Barras Market, a favorite spot of mine. Angie told us about its history, including its founding by a woman named Maggie McIver.

“At one time she had 10 buildings and thousands of stalls, and it was open seven days a week,” Angie explained. “If you didn’t have fleas when you went in – you had them when you were coming out.”

We continued through Barrowland Park, where famous acts are honored on the path, and saw Rachel Maclean’s mural of Billy Connolly, created for his 75th birthday.

We then stopped at the Marie Trust on Albion Street, a charity that supports homeless people in Glasgow. This stop raised awareness among tourists about homelessness.

We also viewed artworks by street artist Smug, including a piece near the Old Fruitmarket that features Highland cows with reflections of nearby buildings in their eyes.

The tour took us to the Gallery of Modern Art, home to the Wellington statue, a well-known symbol of Glasgow. Angie shared stories about the traffic cones on the statue and a tradition of placing a cigarette in a boy’s hand on the statue.

We concluded at Nelson Mandela Place, renamed in 1986 to honor Mandela during his imprisonment. Angie recalled standing there when Mandela visited Glasgow in 1993 and received the Freedom of Glasgow.

Behind St George’s Tron, we found a sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man sleeping on a bench, installed in 2017. This unique piece is one of five in the world, and I was glad Angie pointed it out as a fitting end to the tour.

The Invisible Cities tours provide a deeper understanding of Glasgow’s history beyond typical tourist attractions. Angie was an excellent guide, and I highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting a different view of the city.