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Sunday, November 3

My Lucky Visit to the Glasgow City Chambers at George Square


It’s been a while since I posted a travel update—or has it really been that long? I’m not so sure. Either way, on October 10, 2024, I found myself ready to explore a part of the city I’d overlooked for too long: the Glasgow City Chambers, right in the heart of George Square.

The building had always intrigued me, so I decided to step inside. A friendly receptionist greeted me and, sensing my curiosity, mentioned that a tour was about to begin. He handed me a pass and invited me to join, a golden opportunity to see the inner workings of this historic building.

Each space showcased architectural splendor that seemed timeless yet perfectly in the bustling city center.

The City Chambers, or the Municipal Buildings, as they’re also known, have been at the heart of Glasgow's government since 1889. Designed to reflect the city’s civic pride, this Category A listed building has served as the headquarters of Glasgow City Council since 1996, standing proudly on George Square’s eastern side, a landmark to locals and visitors alike.

The tour itself was a delight. Our guide had a wonderful sense of humor, mixing fun facts with a genuine passion for Glasgow’s history. It was clear he enjoyed sharing these stories, and his enthusiasm pulled us all in.

As we explored further, I learned how the need for a grand city chamber had been growing for over a century. By the 18th century, the old Glasgow Tolbooth at Glasgow Cross was struggling to keep up with the city’s expanding governance needs. In 1814, the council moved to public buildings near Saltmarket and later, in 1844, to the City and County Buildings between Wilson Street and Ingram Street. 

However, City Architect John Carrick didn't find a suitable, purpose-built location for Glasgow's civic operations until the early 1880s. Carrick ultimately chose George Square’s east side, and the rest is history—one that lives on vividly in the intricate details of this building.

The tour left me with a renewed appreciation for the city and its layered past. The Glasgow City Chambers isn’t just a building; it’s a storyteller, keeping the legacy of Glasgow’s transformation from a bustling town to a proud metropolis alive.


























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57 comments

  1. So interesting to learn more about Glasgow city chambers and their fascinating history. The photographs you took are stunning. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed learning about the history of Glasgow City Chambers.

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  2. Looks amazing :) I have never been to Glasgow.

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    1. Thank you! 😊 If you ever get the chance to visit, Glasgow has so much to offer—rich history, beautiful architecture, and a vibrant cultural scene.

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  3. Muito linda essa visita por lá e tuas fotos são de profissionais ,sempre perfeitas!
    Adorei conhecer pelos teus olhos!
    beijos, linda semana, chica

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely words!

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  4. Thank you for this lovely post! It's a impressiv and beautiful building. If I ever visit Scotland I will visit Glascow too!

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the post.

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  5. Hi Melody, what a beautiful building, and you have taken some lovely photos. There are many such talented artist around, and this must have been a wonderful place to visit. God bless.

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    1. Hi there! Thank you for your kind words—they mean a lot to me.

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  6. What a beautiful building, I love the details on the ceiling. A wonderful tour and beautiful photos. Have a great week ahead.

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    1. Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the details—those ceilings are truly something special! It was a joy to capture them and share the experience. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead as well! 😊

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  7. This building is definitely stunning. That ceiling work took my breath away. It never ceases to surprise me how many things are relatively close at hand -- and yet it takes us a long while to actually visit! Well, I'm glad you did this one, and shared -- I love the wood, all of it. But that ceiling... sigh. (And thanks for coming by, too!)

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    1. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment! I completely agree—sometimes the most breathtaking places are closer than we realize, just waiting to be explored. I’m so glad I could share this visit with you, especially those gorgeous ceilings; they’re truly mesmerizing! And yes, that rich woodwork adds so much warmth and character to the space.

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  8. An incredibly beautiful place!

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    1. Thank you so much! It truly is a stunning place, and I’m glad I could share its beauty with you!

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  9. Wow, wspaniałe miejsce. Tam czuć historię i przeszłość.

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    1. Thank you! I’m so glad that came through in the post—it really is a place where you can feel the layers of history all around you.

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  10. Anonymous11/03/2024

    Thank you for those lovely pictures, they were a real pleasure to the eyes.
    Radiomuzykant-ka

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  11. The magnificent interior of this building. I see great, powerful artistry! Melody, you posted beautiful photos!
    Melody, I salute you.

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    1. I mean, imagine a living house with this design, its magic.

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  12. What an amazing pace, one awesome photo after another a place worth seeing in person, lucky you

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  13. The architecture here is stunning! The tile work though is quite impressive. I wonder how many man hours were put into the ceiling tile alone? The whole building is a true work of art!

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  14. Anonymous11/03/2024

    This building has amazing architecture, Melody! I've never been to Scotland, but would love to explore it one day. :)

    https://lizzyslatest.com/

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    1. I am sure when you visit you will love it.

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  15. Es muy bella, te ha ce sentir en otra época. Te mando un beso.

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  16. Me parece un edificio espectacular , porque tiene toda esa historia contada en cada sala , en cada escalera , que decir del techo y paredes...me demoraría mucho ahí investigando, me encanta el arte y eso se ve muy relevante en las fotos, nada es descuidado al paso del tiempo sigue brillando.
    Gracias por compartir el detalle de la fotos son únicas , los cielos rasos se ven hermosos y esa lámparas mejor...
    También aprovecho de agradecer tu bello comentario en mi blog, muchas gracias.
    Linda semana.

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    1. Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment! I’m glad the photos captured the building’s history and all those little details you appreciated—there’s really something magical about it. And thank you, too, for your kind words about my comment on your blog. Wishing you a wonderful week as well!

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  17. Whenever I see a building with such glorious ceilings, I always think, “That person was probably just like me as a kid… staring at the ceilings at church, daydreaming and making patterns out of the shapes and lights up there…”

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    1. Me too, I can relate to you so well. One day i will have a house with such decorative ceiling. I mean i can not wait. Watch out for my house. Cheers

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  18. E fez bem em entrar para nos mostrar as imagens maravilhosas do edifício e do interior. A História também se conta em fotografia.
    Uma boa semana.
    Um beijo.

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    1. I like that people so talented can think outside the box.

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  19. beautiful photos, thanks for taking us along!

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  20. I've never been to Glasgow, but I really enjoyed the guided tour by you in this magnificent post.
    Have a good week.
    Kisses.

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  21. Olá.
    Arquitetura linda e histórica.

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  22. Anonymous11/04/2024

    So beautiful.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  23. What a beautiful place! Hope you have a wonderful week! :)

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  24. The architecture is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

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  25. Oh how beautiful, even the ceiling is a work of art! Thank you for sharing with us, it looks like you have some interesting travel experiences! God bless you! I enjoyed your blog here! : )

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    1. Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and the details in the photos—this place really is a treasure. I appreciate your kind words, and may God bless you, too! 😊

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  26. Lovely photos, thanks for sharing them (and the historical details). Some of the rooms look similar to rooms in Edinburgh's City Chambers!

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  27. Thank you! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the photos and history. Interesting comparison—I can see how the style might remind you of Edinburgh’s City Chambers! Both places really have that timeless elegance.

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  28. These are truly great rooms, dear Melody, and your photos are stunning. When history is spiced up with humor and interesting stories, learning facts is much more fun!
    All the best from Austria, Traude
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2024/11/weltreise-2024-8-station-new-york-new.html

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  29. Witaj Kochana. Mieszkasz w pięknym mieście. Niesamowite miejsce do zwiedzania. Przepiękne bogate wnętrze. Uwielbiam zwiedzać muzea. Gdy byłam w Rzymie nie żałowałam pieniędzy i tylko dzień w dzień chodziłam po muzeach. W moim mieście Krakowie też mamy mnóstwo pięknych muzeow. Cieszę się że miałaś dobrego przewodnika z poczuciem humorem. Nie lubię jak jest sucho. Ktoś kto kocha swoją pracę potrafi przekazać innym wiedzę w profesjonalny sposób i swój entuzjazm.

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