Glasgow's Subway: 'The Clockwork Orange'

Glasgow's Subway is the third oldest in the world, second only to London and Budapest. On a Thistleborn Tour of Glasgow you will have the opportunity to take a trip on this humble mode of public transport. Read on to find out more about the Glasgow Subway's iconic history.

We’ve long believed that public transport offers one of the best ways to truly get to know a city, and Glasgow’s subway is a perfect example of that, full of charm and a touch of eccentricity.

The Glasgow Subway is the third oldest underground railway in the world, having opened in 1896, only London and Budapest boast older systems. Remarkably, it’s also the only subway system in the world that has never expanded since its opening more than 125 years ago!

The network forms a 6.5 mile circular loop, connecting the city centre, the West End, and the Southside. It has two lines: the Outer Circle, which runs anticlockwise, and the Inner Circle, which runs clockwise, both stopping at the exact same fifteen stations.

Below you’ll find a map of the iconic Subway routes.

 Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Clockwork Orange’, the Glasgow subway earned its pet name due to its distinctive circular route and the bright orange uniform of its trains. Indeed, three generations of train carriages have operated over its 129-year history, all of them with different orange colouring!

The trains are compact, characterful, and efficient, they complete the full loop in just 24 minutes.

The subway is also the centrepiece of one of Glasgow’s most famous traditions: the Subcrawl. Participants hop off at each of the fifteen stations to enjoy a drink at a nearby pub before continuing their journey. On weekends, you’ll often spot groups in fancy dress making their way around the loop - a uniquely Glasgow sight!