Conquer new heights at the best rock climbing spots in Glasgow!
I’ve been climbing since my uni days, and it’s still my go-to for keeping fit and blowing off steam. There’s something about getting to the top of a tall rock that makes you feel proud of yourself, even if you’re completely exhausted afterwards.
I’d love to explore climbing spots around the country, but with everything going on, I don’t really get the chance to go far. I’m lucky Glasgow has plenty of places where I can keep doing what I love.
I thought I’d share a few of my favourites so folks can give it a go and see what makes rock and wall climbing so addictive.
The Climbing Academy (The Newsroom)
– Photo credit: tca_thenewsroom
Website: https://www.theclimbingacademy.com/locations/the-newsroom/
Address: 124 Portman St, Kinning Park
Contact details: +44 141 429 6331
Operating hours:
7:00 AM – 10:00 PM (MON-FRI)
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
Price:
Adult (17+) – £14
Youth (16 and below) – £8.50
I find The Climbing Academy’s The Newsroom to be one of the best spots, especially for beginner climbers. It’s tucked away in Kinning Park and used to be an old printworks, which is where the name comes from.
The whole place is built for bouldering, so you don’t need ropes or harnesses. Just grab your shoes, chalk up, and get stuck in.
There’s a mix of wall angles from slabs to steep overhangs, and the problems are always changing, so it never gets boring.
They’ve got a kids’ area too, which is great if you’re bringing the wee ones along. And if you’re more experienced like me, you’ll be glad to know there are endurance circuits that offer proper challenges when you feel like pushing yourself.
Pro tip: Warm up properly before you jump on the harder obstacles! The Newsroom has a training area with hangboards and easy routes that are good for getting your fingers and shoulders ready. Skipping that part might feel fine at first, but your body will definitely remind you later.
The Climbing Academy (The Prop Store)
– Photo credit: tca_thepropstore
Website: https://www.theclimbingacademy.com/locations/the-prop-store/
Address: b2, 24 Craigmont St
Contact details: +44 141 429 6331
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (MON, WED, and FRI)
8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (TUES and THURS)
8:00 AM – 8:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
Price:
Adult (17+) – £14
Youth (16 and below) – £8.50
Hold on, another The Climbing Academy? Yep, there are actually two in Glasgow, and each has its own vibe. The Prop Store opened in 2018, and the building used to hold props for BBC Scotland, which is where the name comes from.
Unlike The Newsroom, which is all about bouldering, The Prop Store gives you the full mix. You’ve got bouldering walls with textured surfaces and creative shapes, plus roped climbing with lead, top rope, and auto belay.
That’s a big draw for me when I want to switch things up and climb higher. There’s also a top-out boulder, which is good if you fancy a bit of challenge. I’d say this place suits all kinds of climbers, whereas The Newsroom leans more towards beginners.
Pro tip: If you think you’ll be climbing more than once, grab the TCA Pass. It lets you visit both The Prop Store and The Newsroom as much as you want. First-timers even get their second visit free!
Glasgow Climbing Centre
– Photo credit: glasgow_climbing_centre
Website: https://glasgowclimbingcentre.com/
Address: 534 Paisley Rd W
Contact details: +44 141 427 9550
Operating hours:
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (MON-FRI)
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (SAT and SUN)
Price:
Adult (18+) – £14
Junior (6-17) – £9.50
Kids (5 and below) – £7.50
Student/Concession – £11.70
One climbing spot I especially think is cool is the Glasgow Climbing Centre. It’s tucked inside an old church near Ibrox and still shows off loads of its original features. The whole place has a unique atmosphere you don’t often find.
You’ll be climbing up toward oak beams with stained glass windows above you! Thanks to the size of the building, they offer more than 150 climbs, including lead routes, top rope, and auto belay options.
If that sounds a bit much, no need to worry. The climbs cater to all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned pros. There’s also a bouldering area in the basement that’s a bit small but is still packed with a solid route setting.
Pro tip: If you’ve got a Centre Card or one of their monthly or annual passes, use it when you buy gear. You’ll get 10–20% off everything in their shop depending on your membership. That includes shoes, harnesses, ropes, and loads of climbing accessories!
Climbzone Braehead
– Photo credit: stylegeekchic
Website: https://climbzone.co.uk/
Address: Braehead, King’s Inch Rd, Paisley, Renfrew, Xsite PA4 8XQ
Contact details: +44 141 886 5459
Operating hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price: £30.00 per person
Climbzone Braehead is a bit of a wild card in Glasgow’s climbing scene, and I’ve been there a few times now. It has been around for years, and it’s home to one of the largest freestanding climbing walls in the UK.
You’ve got 23 panels and over 70 routes to choose from, with grades that suit total beginners right up to seasoned climbers looking for a challenge. The wall is tall and open, so you get a proper sense of height without feeling boxed in.
But what makes Climbzone really worth the visit is the extra stuff. There’s The Drop, which is a controlled free fall from 15 metres up. There’s also the Skypark, a high ropes course suspended above the ground with zip lines and swinging platforms.
Pro tip: If you want to get the most out of Climbzone Braehead, go for the combo session that includes climbing, The Drop, and the Skypark. It’s a one-and-a-half-hour slot that lets you try all three activities in one go, which is perfect if you’re keen to challenge yourself and keep the adrenaline going.
Dumbarton Rock
– Photo credit: will_bosi
Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/
Address: Castle Rd, Dumbarton G82 1JJ
Contact details: +44 131 668 8965
Operating hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
Adult (16-64) – £7.50
Concession (65+) – £6.00
Child (7-15) – £4.50
Dumbarton Rock is where I head when I want a proper challenge. It’s a massive volcanic outcrop by the River Clyde and has been part of Scotland’s climbing scene for decades. The features are striking, and the climbs demand proper focus.
It certainly has a reputation for being unforgiving. The surface is slick, and the holds are sharp, so you need precise technique to make any progress. On my first visits, I spent a good while just hanging mid-route trying to figure out what to do next.
The reward, though, makes it all worth it. Once you reach the top, you get a brilliant view of the river flowing past and the city stretching out nearby. If you’ve been sticking to indoor walls and want something raw and exciting, this place is worth a try.
Pro tip: Bring stiff climbing shoes with firm edges. The basalt at Dumbarton Rock is slick, and the footholds are often small and unforgiving. Softer shoes tend to slip and wear out quickly.
Once I switched to stiffer shoes with a snug fit, my footwork felt more secure, and I could focus on the moves instead of worrying about slipping.
Cuningar Loop Boulders
– Photo credit: catcafechats
Website: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/cuningar-loop
Address: Rutherglen
Contact details: +44 300 067 6700
Operating hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Cuningar Loop Boulders is one of those places I keep coming back to, especially when I’ve got pals keen to try climbing for the first time. It’s located right beside the River Clyde and was built as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
The boulders themselves are made from sculpted concrete, and there are nine of them spread across the park. Each one has its own style and level of difficulty, so it’s easy to find something that suits your ability.
The Mammoth Bloc is a personal favourite when I feel like tackling something steep and physical. While climbers of all levels can enjoy the place, I think total beginners are the ones who’ll get the most out of it. It’s open, relaxed, and, best of all, free!
Pro tip: Bring a couple of crash pads if you plan to climb the steeper blocs like Mammoth or Scratch. The landings are gravel and fairly generous, but extra padding makes a big difference for comfort and safety.
It also helps to tape up your fingers before you start, since the concrete surface can be tough on your skin.
Auchinstarry Quarry
– Photo credit: m_proudfoot
Address: Auchinstarry, Croy, Kilsyth
Whenever I’m up for some outdoor rock climbing without dealing with a long drive, Auchinstarry Quarry is usually my top pick. It sits just outside Kilsyth and is only a short walk from Croy train station, which makes it ideal for spontaneous sessions.
The quarry itself is a former dolerite site that’s been turned into a proper climbing venue. It’s got a good mix of routes, mostly in the middle grades, and the rock has decent friction once you get used to it.
There are two main areas. The car park section is good for beginners, since it has solid anchors and a few trees for setting up top ropes. Then there’s the back wall, which is a bit more adventurous and requires some scrambling to reach its routes.
Pro tip: If you’re heading for the back wall routes, bring a long sling or two and a bit of extra gear for setting up anchors. Some of the topouts are sandy and uneven, so having flexible anchor options makes things safer and smoother.
Craigmaddie Boulders
– Photo credit: gale2105
Address: Baldernock Linn
When I need a quiet escape and a chance to clear my head, I punch Craigmaddie Boulders into the GPS and head out. It’s tucked away on Craigmaddie Muir near Milngavie and feels properly remote even though it’s still close to the city.
The boulders are sandstone and scattered across the moor in clusters. Some are low and friendly; others are steep and technical. The friction is decent, and the problems range from easy warm-ups to proper test pieces in the 7s.
Craigmaddie suits all levels, but I reckon intermediate climbers get the most out of it. You need to be confident with spotting and pad placement, since the landings can be uneven. At least you’ll get an amazing view over Glasgow for all your effort.
Pro tip: Check the weather and give the rock time to dry before your session. The sandstone here can get fragile after rain, and climbing too soon can damage the holds or lead to unexpected breaks. I usually give it a good 48 hours to dry out so the rock feels solid and safe.