Adam Smith

Summary

A public history tour during the Commonwealth Games

You have come to Glasgow from across the Commonwealth and around the world. Welcome! Before you leave, walk the streets that connect your country's history to this one. 

Modern Glasgow was built by merchants who grew rich on goods like tobacco, sugar, and cotton produced across the British Empire. Today, there are streets named after them, and restaurants and bars occupy buildings that were once offices and counting houses. Glasgow is not just a host of the Commonwealth Games, but a city intimately connected to the history of the Commonwealth itself. 

In 1776, a professor at Glasgow University named Adam Smith published The Wealth of Nations - a book that attacked the imperial system as unfair and unjust. His book touched on events in over 30 countries and his ideas reached every country represented at these Games.

This tour, co-designed by researchers from the University of Glasgow and community guides from Radical Glasgow, walks you through the Glasgow of 1776 and how it connects to the Commonwealth of 2026.

Tour details

• Time: 2:00pm
• Duration: Approximately 90 minutes on foot.
• Suitable for: All ages and fitness levels. The route is predominantly flat.
• Language: English
• Cost: Free to attend (booking is recommended as places are limited).

To reserve, email maharafi.atal@glasgow.ac.uk.