Cathedral Precinct
Castle Street, Glasgow
G4 0QZ
Glasgow Cathedral is located within walking distance of the city centre and is next to the Royal Infirmary.
Glasgow Cathedral wishes to issue a public reassurance ahead of Glasgow City Council implementing the City Centre Low Emission Zone (LEZ) later this week.
The LEZ will come into force on 1st June, in an attempt to improve air quality within the city centre. The zone covers an area bounded by the M8 to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and High Street / Castle Street to the east.
In recent weeks, there have been some expressions of concern on social media and elsewhere that the introduction of the LEZ will affect access to Glasgow Cathedral.Although the Cathedral lies on the edge of the LEZ, it can be approached from the east via Alexandra Parade or Duke Street and John Knox Street, or from Bishopbriggs and Springburn, crossing the M8 motorway onto Castle Street, and from either the west via the M8 exiting at the Cathedral exit (right hand lane) or from the east at Junction 12 and turning left onto Cumbernauld Road (A80) and then onto Alexandra Parade and Castle Street to the Cathedral.
There is very limited parking within the Cathedral Precinct, but it would appear either of the adjacent parking on the east side of Castle Street lies within the LEZ. There is a mult-story car park on the Royal Infirmary estate which can be accessed without having to enter the LEZ.
Our best advice however, if you are affected by the LEZ if to plan ahead. Information on the LEZ can be obtained from: glasgow.gov.uk/LEZ
Find Us
By Foot: From George Square go north along the side of Queen Street Station on North Hanover Street. At the traffic lights, turn right and go along Cathedral Street to the end. Cross the road at the junction with Castle Street. Cathedral Precinct is on your right.
By Public Transport: There are a number of buses which leave from the city centre that pass near to the cathedral. The nearest train station is Glasgow High Street. You can obtain up to date information on buses and trains from Traveline Scotland’s website, First Bus Glasgow or National Rail Enquiries.
By Car: Exit the M8 at junction 15 and follow the signs for Glasgow Cathedral. Pay-and-display car parks are available in the vicinity.
Click here for an interactive Google Map of the Cathedral or a Birdseye view from Bing.
There is no admission charge for the Cathedral but visitors can make a donation to Historic Environment Scotland, towards the upkeep of the building. If, however you wish to contribute to the Work of the Church, please consider using our PayPal donation system on the home page.
There are regular morning Services, at 11:00 each Sunday to which all are welcome.
Cathedral Visiting Times for private prayer, tourists, or simply those looking for a quiet space:
1 Apr to 30 Sept:
Mon to Sat, 10am to 5pm
Sun, 1pm to 5pm
Last entry 4.30pm
1 Oct to 31 Mar:
Mon to Sat, 10am to 4pm
Sun, 1pm to 5 pm
Last entry 4:30pm
Closed for lunch 12 noon to 1pm. Last entry is at 11:45
Tours
The Volunteer Guides of Glasgow Cathedral offer guided tours to visitors. Parties of varying size and tours of varying duration (one hour is recommended) can be accommodated. If you are with a party of four or less, please just ask for a tour when you arrive, however for groups of 5 or more please use our contact form to book a tour. (select “tour” from the drop-down menu to ensure that your message reaches the correct person) As we are volunteers it may be awhile before we are able to respond but be assured we will see your request. Please include in your message:
- The number in your party
- The date you wish to attend
- The time you will arrive
- Approximately how much time you will have to visit
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
The Cathedral is managed on a day-to-day basis by Historic Environment Scotland. Although there is no charge to visit, because there is a maximum capacity for visitors, both the Church and HES strongly recommend that you obtain a free entry ticket from their website. If you have NOT pre-booked it could well be that you cannot access the Cathedral after 4:00 pm if at all at any given time. before it closes. For example if the maximum number of visitors has been reached at 2:00 pm, and bookings for the rest of the afternoon have been allocated, you will not have the opportunity to visit on that day,
Because of ongoing work on the Cathedral, please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website for any changes to opening times.
Please note also that currently the scheduled opening times may also vary . Events and special services such as weddings and funerals or unfavourable weather may necessitate closure of the Cathedral without prior notice being given here. We hope you will be understanding if you arrive and the building is closed to the public. Each year the Cathedral will be closed for visitors on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. There are regular morning Services, at 11:00 on Christmas Day and either Boxing Day, or New Year’s Day in the years when these days fall on a Sunday.
The Historic Environment Scotland Shop is open when the Cathedral is open to the public but there are currently no guided tours being offered.
Historic Environment Scotland Explorer Pass – HES website
This is the website of the Glasgow Cathedral’ Church of Scotland Congregation.