Poker trips are always exciting, but they’re always better when you take some time to explore the host city. I’ve traveled to Scotland’s largest city to cover the 888poker LIVE Glasgow festival, and while there’s plenty of action to be had inside Grosvenor Casino Merchant City, it would be a shame to not step outside and experience Glasgow itself (and beyond).
A few of the 888poker ambassadors — Vivian Saliba, Ian Simpson, and Lucia Navarro — mentioned to me that, as it was their first time in Glasgow/Scotland, they’re doing something a bit different. Since during the festival they’re busy playing and creating content, they don’t typically have the time to get out. However, they’ll be staying together in the country for an extra few days to do some touring.
Especially as my wife Miriam has joined me for this poker trip, I’ve made it a point to try and maximize my free time away from the casino and see what this fascinating city and its surroundings have to offer (no, I’m not sleeping a lot, but that’s what plane rides are for, right? 🙂 ). So, whether you’re visiting Glasgow for a poker tournament or simply passing through, here are my top eight recommendations for things to do when you need a break from the felt.
1. Take a Glasgow Walking Tour
I’ve done it at least a dozen times in cities across the world, but no matter how many times you do it and no matter how many cities you do it in, a two-hour walking tour is a guaranteed way to immerse yourself in and absorb what a place has to offer from a one-of-a-kind perspective. There’s no better way to get acquainted with a city, in my opinion, than through listening to and watching a knowledgeable guide share the city’s story.
Glasgow offers a variety of walking tours covering history, architecture, and even ghost stories. From George Square to the famous murals that adorn the city’s buildings, there’s much to admire as far as architecture and design go.
We opted to take the Scotland City Tours guided tour, so here’s a chance to give a big shout out to our wonderful and entertaining guide, Marty, who taught us tons about the city’s storied history, even including the politics and geography behind the storied sporting rivalry between Celtic and Rangers. Whatever type of walking tour you book, it’s a a great way to ensure you see and immerse yourself in Glasgow beyond the poker tables.
2. Visit Stirling Castle (and the National Wallace Monument)
An approximately 45-minute train ride outside Glasgow takes you to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most historically significant landmarks. The castle played a crucial role in the Wars of Scottish Independence and was once home to the legendary Mary, Queen of Scots.
A guided tour here is a must (shout out to our guide, Andrew!), offering deep insights into Scotland’s royal past. If you have a bit more time — we unfortunately didn’t — you should consider making a stop at the nearby National Wallace Monument, which pays tribute to the legendary William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) and offers breathtaking views from the top.
3. Explore Glasgow Cathedral
Steeped in history and featuring stunning Gothic architecture, Glasgow Cathedral is a must-visit for anyone interested in Scotland’s past. Dating back to the 12th Century, the cathedral is one of the few medieval churches in Scotland to have survived the Reformation intact. The grand interior, intricate stained glass windows, and the crypt of St. Mungo (Glasgow’s patron saint) make this a remarkable stop on any sightseeing tour, especially as it is free to enter.
I didn’t visit this particular attraction, but Miriam went there on her own. As per her description, “it’s not just that the cathedral is massively impressive right when you walk in, but also the size and scope of the chambers on the ground floor, below the cathedral’s main sanctuary.” Beyond that, of particular interest to her were the numerous plaques on the cathedral’s walls and floor commemorating the lives of soldiers that have fallen in Scottish wars.
4. Walk Through the Glasgow Necropolis
Right next to Glasgow Cathedral, you’ll find the hauntingly beautiful Glasgow Necropolis. This sprawling Victorian cemetery sits on a hill overlooking the city, offering a peaceful yet fascinating walk through ornate tombstones. The mix of history, architecture, and panoramic city views makes it well worth a visit.
Again, I didn’t have the time to visit this one in person, but Miriam did. Of particular interest to her was that the Necropolis had a tiny section for Jews (just 57 burial plots).
5. Enjoy a Stand-Up Comedy Show
As luck would have it, the 888poker LIVE Glasgow festival overlapped with the annual Glasgow International Comedy Festival. This meant we had the chance to enjoy a fun stand-up performance featuring aspiring local talent.
Even if you’re visiting outside of the festival dates, Glasgow has a thriving comedy scene year-round, with venues like The Stand Comedy Club regularly hosting top-tier talent.
6. Eonarium Sound and Light Experience
Sound and light shows are always fascinating; that much more so when they take place in a unique building in a special location. Glasgow’s Merchants House is (temporarily) the stage and setting for the Eonarium’s unique show which aims to dazzle your senses. Multiple shows are available throughout the day until the end of this month. Clocking in at 30 minutes, the experience is an affordable and enjoyable way to take a short midday break or treat yourself to something special at night.
Admittedly, we were just a smidge underwhelmed with this attraction. While it’s certainly cool and relaxing to sit (or lay on a beanbag, as it were) and be serenaded by classical music for half an hour, be advised that the show might lull you into a brief sleep, especially if you’ve just had a bite to eat.
7. Bike Around Loch Lomond
If you’re the more adventurous type and want to get some solid exercise in while on an outdoor adventure, we’ve heard great things about Loch Lomond, a stunning freshwater loch (lake) located within The Trossachs National Park. From everything we’ve read online and have heard from the locals we’ve spoken with, biking around the loch is a fantastic way to take in the breathtaking scenery, from rolling hills to picturesque shorelines. If cycling isn’t your thing, you can also enjoy hiking trails or a relaxing boat tour on the water.
In the interests of full disclosure, we haven’t done this yet but we still have a couple days here, so hopefully we’ll manage to get it in. Fingers crossed that we can carve out the time and that the weather holds up.
8. Take a Day Trip to Edinburgh
Is there plenty enough to do and keep busy with in Glasgow and its immediate vicinity? Sure. But as it’s only about an hour’s train/bus ride away from Glasgow, we couldn’t resist the temptation to also spend a morning and afternoon in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital.
There’s a bit of a different vibe from Glasgow. We spent about 2.5 hours there on a walking tour, as well as some extra time milling about and exploring iconic sites like the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Castle, before enjoying lunch at a cozy local eatery. With so many attractions in the city, you can easily tailor your visit based on your interests, whether they be history, literature, or simply soaking in the old-world charm.
Conclusion
Glasgow is a fantastic poker destination, but it offers so much more to visitors on a poker trip than just great action at the felt. Besides, you might bust out of your tournament after an hour, like I did and need ideas for other things to do 😂.
It’s a highly walkable city, and the public transportation infrastructure is excellent, from buses to trains to subways, and more. The people are almost impossibly friendly — and not just that “fake friendly” — they’re genuinely happy to greet visitors and are quick to assist and recommend things to do around the city. I’ll also note that we’ve gotten exceptionally lucky with the weather. Considering that it’s mid-March, temperatures have been on the cool side but not freezing, and we’ve fortunately seen nary a drop of rain thus far!
Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor activities, comedy, or cuisine, there’s plenty to do when you step away from the tables. So, if you find yourself heading to Scotland for a poker trip, make sure to carve out some time on your itinerary to experience some of these top attractions. I assure you that you won’t regret it!
It’s been a balance of work and play on this poker trip to Glasgow. 😃
As much as I’ve done with my wife Miriam while being out and about, I’m happy that she also (briefly) popped in to @GrosvenorPoker Merchant City to see where I’ve been working the @888poker LIVE event. pic.twitter.com/Nebbbu0PUl
— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) March 19, 2025
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