Use this illustrated heritage trail to take yourself on an anti-colonial walk of Kelvingrove Park.
This trail leads you through Kelvingrove’s leafy avenues and meandering pathways, stopping at various locations that reflect the park’s connections to slavery, colonialism and imperialism. In some cases, this history is visible and detectable, physically marking the landscape of the park. Dotted throughout Kelvingrove are various statues commemorating historical figures and events with clear ties to Britain’s imperial past, for example. But you’ll also find yourself stopping at locations where there are no obvious markers — locations of buildings that have long since disappeared, sites of significance that bear no signs or plaques. This is a history that oftentimes feels obscured or forgotten.
Featuring original artwork by the Glasgow-based artist, illustrator and designer Malini Chakrabarty and rich archival images, this heritage trail helps uncover and make visible this ‘hidden’ history of empire embedded in Kelvingrove Park.
Download the trail as a PDF. Physical copies are available for free from museums, galleries, libraries and community spaces around Glasgow.
The trail begins at the entrance to Kelvingrove Park located at the intersection of Clifton Street and La Belle Place and ends at the gates at Park Circus. Following the suggested route through the park will give the best experience, but the stops can be visited in any order you wish.
The suggested route is step-free and follows paved pathways, but surfaces are uneven in places and there is a steep incline heading towards the top of the park. Wherever possible, stops are located near benches and other forms of seating. Public toilets, including accessible toilets, are located at Kelvingrove Bandstand, Kelvingrove Park Bowls and Tennis, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
A note on content… This trail addresses the history of slavery, colonialism and imperialism, and discusses issues and events relating to conflict, violence, oppression, racism and white supremacy. It includes quotations from historical sources that use words and phrases, which are outdated and widely regarded as offensive today. This has the potential to be unsettling and cause discomfort and emotional distress.