A Day out to Glasgow Cathedral

This is just a cheeky little post while im writing my full Glasgow guide in my Scotland blog. However I was so excited about my visit to Glasgow Cathedral and my visit to St Mungo tomb I wanted to tell you all about it.

Places We always see but never visit until now

Glasgow Cathedral I must have passed this place a thousand times probably much more but I’ve never visited. Well as part of my summer staycation I decided that it was time I did. So I booked my ticket online and off I went got the bus from where I live to Glasgow. I had spot of lunch in Gregs at the bus station for no other reason than it was there and typical summer in Scotland it was what we call chucking it down with rain. I mean you can’t go wrong with a Gregs sausage roll they are just magic. Anyway going a bit of track here sorry.

Back to the Cathedral rain had now went off so I decided to walk to it says 15 minutes on website it took me longer but I was walking slowly since I wasnt in any hurry. Got there just in time for my 1 oclock time slot. Entry to the cathedral is free but booking your ticket is highly recommended as numbers are still restricted due to the ongoing pandemic. Your ticket gives you a 1 hour time slot and you can enter at anytime within that hour.

On entering the cathedral I spoke to one of the staff about my audio guide. The staff member was helpful and helped me with the audio guide. THe guide is in several languages mines is the English version since thats probably the only version I can understand. You can either do it each section in order or as stand alone pieces of information. Being a bit obsessed with doing all things orderly I started at number one and then carried on until the end.

Free Entry but book in advance

Tickets in hand well on my phone but you know same thing almost I wait patiently at the door. I have got this thing about reading everything and notice the sign on the door and start reading it. This hour was fully booked and those without tickets need to wait now until 2pm so i guess its true that you need to book it in advance. You can book your free tickets on the historic and environmental Scotland Website

The cathedral as I said is free but they ask you to make a donation you dont have to its voluntary but there are collection boxes for this purpose. There is a small gift shop on site.

Audio guides are available both on your phone or from the gift shop you get the little machine. The cathedral was actually much better than I expected and it does state on the website they recommend 1-2 hours to visit I was skeptical about this but I was there for just under one and half hours and I honestly could have stayed longer.

There is beautiful stain glass windows all throughout the cathedral I love stain glass windows so was in my element.

St Mungo

Glasgow cathedral is dedicated to St Kentigern, also known as St Mungo the first Bishop within the ancient British kingdom of Strathclyde he is thought to have been buried here in AD 612. You can visit his tomb in the lower church. St mungo is the Patron saint of Glasgow.

St mungo performed 4 miracles in his life time in Glasgow.

A Verse to remember the Miracles of ST Mungo and the Glasgow coat of arms

“Here is the bird that never flew
Here is the tree that never grew
Here is the bell that never rang
Here is the fish that never swam“

This verse is written about the miracles of st mungo and each line of the verse is featured on the Glasgow coat of arms

The bird-

Mungo brought a Robin back to life after his classmates killed it.

The tree –

Mungo is said to have been left in charge of a fire in Saint Serf monstry. Mungo fell asleep and the fire went out. on realising the fire had gone out he took a hazel branch and restarted the fire

The Bell –

Pictures of St mungo often feature him with a bell. Its believed that he was given the bell in Rome after he was exiled there from Glasgow as he travelled there on a Pilgrimage. Although this cannot be confirmed as there is very little written about this time in St Mungo’s life. It is speculated that the bell might have been given to St Mungo by the pope himself. Although the significance of the bell goes beyond St Mungo and his life time. In the 15th century the first Glasgow Lord province ( a bit like a mayor) John Stewart left instructions that when he died the bell was to be rung throughout the streets to remind people to pray for his sole.

Although the bell has great significance and features throughout history no one knows what happened to the original bell and it’s believed to no longer exist. A new bell was commissioned in 1641 this is on display in the peoples palace museuem.

The fish –

The Fish refers to a story about Queen Languoreth of Strathclyde who’s husband King Riderch accused her of infidelity. He accused her of her giving her ring to her lover and demanded to see it. It is said that the king had thrown the ring into the river Clyde himself. Faced with being executed she pleaded with Mungo to help her. It is said that he ordered a messenger to go catch a fish from the river. The messenger did as requested. He went fishing and caught a fish. When the fish was cut opened the Queens ring was found inside meaning she was able to clear her name.

Getting There

High street is the nearest Train station to the Cathedral.

For buses check out the first bus website.

Walking from city centre – From the bus station its about a 15 -20 minute walk from Buchanan bus station. When you exit the station go left (concert hall and John Lewis will be on your right hand side. At the end of the street turn right at the traffic lights walk down the street until the next corner then turn left and walk down cathedral street this is a long straight road and after about 10 minutes you will see the hospital Glasgow Royal infirmary and you should also be able to see the cathedral to the right of the hospital. Keep walking and you will eventually be in the cathedral precinct and the cathedral should be in front of you.

In a nutshell I loved my visit to the cathedral and would give it 9/10. I will visit it again in the near future and I look forward to doing so.

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