Exploring Glasgow on Foot to Discover the Challenges and Successes of Community Tourism Across the City
READ:
Social enterprises, charities and community organisations in Glasgow showcased the value of community tourism first hand during the SCOTO Gathering 2026.
The 2-day conference included a day where delegates had an opportunity to explore one of five areas of the city for a learning exchange.
The event, organised by the Scottish Community Tourism Network (SCOTO), gave people the chance to hear about the challenges and successes of different projects or places.
The Learning Exchanges in Glasgow
Each learning exchange started from the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall in the city centre and delegates made their way to a distinct area of the city. Here’s a summary of the five options given to delegates.
- Clyde Riverside Learning Exchange:
Delegates walked through the Govan area to explore how local organisations maintain and celebrate local riverside heritage and history.
Projects and places on the tour included the Riverside Museum, The Tall Ship (the Clyde-build sailing vessel, Glenlee), the ancient Govan Stones (which tell the story of medieval Strathclyde) and Govan’s shipbuilding museum, Fairfield Heritage.
- Canal District Learning Exchange
This learning exchange gave delegates an opportunity to explore the redevelopment of Glasgow’s canal corridor and see how community-driven spaces are bringing new life to the neighbourhood.
The tour covered social enterprises running active spaces, collaborations, watersports and wellbeing.
Sites visited included Civic House (a former print works turned into a co-working studio, event space and communal canteen); the community café and garden, Gathering Ground; the Lambhill Stables community hub and Pinkston Watersports (which offers swimming, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding).
- Glasgow Cathedral Precinct Learning Exchange
This learning exchange was designed to uncover the stories behind Glasgow’s medieval history and centred on how “Friends of” groups protect and steward iconic heritage sites.
An opportunity to discuss the challenges and ‘wins’ of community-led care for historic landmarks and heritage sites.
The walking tour took in Glasgow Cathedral and adjoining Glasgow Necropolis, St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art and Friends of Glasgow Royal Infirmary Museum. Together, the sites have some powerful, historic, colourful and fascinating stories to tell.
- Southside Learning Exchange
Innovative outdoor, cultural and artistic spaces that champion community engagement were the order of the day in the south side of the city.
The learning exchange tour covered community gardens, community arts and theatre venues that bring people together.
Sites visited included the international arts venue Tramway, the adjoining Hidden Gardens, Wee Retreat CIC and Citizens Theatre.
- The Whithorn Way - Pilgrim Walks and Wellbeing
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) hosted this opportunity for delegates to walk sections of The Whithorn Way pilgrim route
I was not able to attend day one of the SCOTO Gathering so missed the opportunity to experience one of these learning exchange tours. But the plan is to visit the featured sites during the course of the year and share their stories with you.
Even with just a little research, I know that these sites each have wonderful and positive stories to tell.
Other Community Projects in Glasgow
SCOTO CIC is a grassroots network - launched in April 2022 - which promotes, supports and nurtures community-led tourism across Scotland. Previous celebration events and annual gatherings have been held in Callander (2022), Kingussie (2023), Dumfries (2024) and Montrose (2025).
It's 2026 Gathering was held in Glasgow on 5-6 March and was attended by delegates from across Scotland, other parts of the UK and Greenland.
Other community projects or venues which visitors to Glasgow might want to check out include the following.
SWG3 is a creative hub created by Clydesdale Initiative for the Arts, and can be found in west Glasgow, roughly halfway between the OVO Hydro and the Riverside Museum.
And about a 15-minute walk from SWG3 is The Language Hub, a social enterprise which offers language and cultural learning.
In the city centre, in Merchant City, you can check out The Boardwalk (which provides meeting, performance, studio and event spaces) and its related organisation, Impact Arts, a charity tackling inequalities in Scotland through creative engagement.
As you can see, community-led and community-inspired attractions abound in Glasgow. Why not consider a visit to one or more of them next time you’re in the city?
LEARN:
The SCOTO website says community tourism focuses on people, places and purpose:
“Community led tourism is where a community enterprise or geographic community is directly involved in shaping and managing the tourism offers in their area and ensuring tourism derives tangible benefits locally.
“Historically many communities have felt that tourism happens to them rather than with them but there is a growing sense that tourism can be a force for good.”
There is a lot of information about community tourism projects online. A little bit of reading or research can help you plan a visit to Glasgow, and find out a bit about a place before you turn up.
Check the website of the attraction you’re interested in using the relevant link above and go from there.
DO:
. Visit - Whilst it’s interesting to read about a place through their website, it’s never the same as actually visiting and experiencing a place for yourself. If you’re thinking of a trip to Glasgow, why not build some of these spaces into your itinerary?
Some places have an entrance fee, many are free (and there’s often a way to make a donation or support in other ways, if you wish).
. Volunteer - If you visit a site’s website or visit the community tourism attraction in person, you’ll be able to discover what opportunities are available to become a volunteer. It’s a lovely way to give back to the community, spend time doing something you love and even learn something new.
. Support - There are always ways to help social enterprises, charities and community organisations to maintain their sites and keep their ventures going.
You could buy a gift from a gift shop (or online shop), pay it forward, purchase a voucher as a gift for friends or family, make a donation or even leave something in your will.
Organisations and projects may have other ways you can help or support. Just get in touch with them and ask.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Beyond Scotland is a a start-up journalism project based in Glasgow. It aims to bring you the stories about the people, projects and places doing things for good.
An antidote to the 'doom and gloom'. A way of finding out what's happening in sustainability, community, and (responsible) travel & tourism. In Glasgow, in other parts of Scotland and across the globe.
I believe Scotland has much it can teach and share with the world. And Scotland can learn from other parts of the world, too.
To deliver this type of highly researched, feature-based, action-oriented journalism takes resources - that means time and money.
Beyond Scotland is starting small but aims big.
A different kind of journalism. Founded on guiding principles. The journalist as storyteller and explorer, experimenter and part of the community.
Storyteller - Telling the stories less well known. Telling the stories that inform and inspire. Telling the stories to give people and projects in communities a bigger voice.
Explorer - Exploring beyond the 'obvious' in Scotland. Exploring how to talk about 'sustainability' in ways that are meaningful to people. Exploring the issues with fresh eyes and perspectives. Exploring how to be a more sustainable (or even regenerative) project or business.
Experimenter - Experimenting with different formats and ways to present news and features around the interconnected themes of sustainability, community, and travel & tourism.
Community Focus - Putting community at the heart of the journalism. Listening to the community. Letting people in communities have their say. Working with communities to help them shape the focus of the features and reporting.
If you know of any grants, funding or individuals who would like to support this project please get in touch. You can DM me on LinkedIn and start a conversation.
I’m starting with feature articles and reports but dream of bigger things. Ideally, I'd love to create a small and diverse team, collaborate with other independent journalists and content creators, and operate as part of a truly interwoven media ecosystem in Scotland.
Over time, I would love to add video stories, create a podcast, run in-depth ‘specials’ on specific topics or issues, and produce mini documentaries.
If you are a journalist, expert or professional (in the areas of sustainability, community, Citizens, travel and tourism), or potential funder or philanthropist open to supporting this venture, please DM and connect with me on LinkedIn.
Thank you.
Gary Spinks
Editor, Beyond Scotland
