About the game

Glasgow is a vibrant city renowned for its rich history and this treasure hunt is going to show you the best of it!

Delve into the Merchant City’s rich history, admire the magnificent City Chambers, and meander along the Clyde’s scenic riverbank.

By searching for clues across the city, you’ll discover hidden treasure you never knew existed!

What you’ll do

You’ll be led around the city by Captain Bess, a snarky pirate who’s testing out new recruits to join her ship!

Bess will send a series of maps, clues and directions. You follow the map and solve the clue by searching your surroundings. When you get the right answer, you’ll move on to the next place.

Don’t worry, if you get stuck you can ask for a hint and Bess’ll get you on your way!

What you’ll see

Along the way you’ll see lots of sights and Bess will tell you some fun facts about some of them. It’s a perfect way of discovering things you might want to come back to.

• George Square - the city's magnificent main square, surrounded by stunning architecture.
• The Duke of Wellington statue - famous for his quirky cone hat, a true symbol of Glasgow's fun spirit.
• River Clyde - Glasgow's historic waterfront, once teeming with shipbuilders, now buzzes as a lively cultural spot.
• Buchanan Street - this lively car-free street is lined with sleek shops, restaurants and cultural gems.
• Glasgow Green - a green oasis by the Clyde, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic.
• City Chambers - Glasgow's grand city hall, boasting impressive marble staircases.
• The Clutha - iconic pub with a heart, known for its live tunes and vibrant atmosphere.
• Merchant Square - a lively spot in the old Merchant City, great for food, drinks, and markets.
• Argyll Arcade - a Victorian gem filled with glittering jewellery stores.
• Tolbooth Steeple and Mercat Cross - standing tall, these landmarks tell the tales of Glasgow's medieval past.

What else you should know

• Take your time—it’s more enjoyable to see everything at your own pace. There's a scheduled break around half-way, but you can take your own breaks if you prefer.
• Aim to finish before sunset—it's near impossible to find clues in the dark! Check the sunset time
• You can play in 2 parts—if it suits your plans, you can pause the game and come back after lunch or even the next day.
• Bess will be scoring you! Your score is the number of clues you got right first time, without a hint. The score is only for your satisfaction, so don’t struggle needlessly!

How the game works

The game works a bit like a WhatsApp group, but on a web page instead. You don’t need to download anything and it doesn’t need any permissions.

Before you’re due to start, we’ll send you a link to the game. Open the link to join the game and share it with your team so they can join too.

Once you’re ready, Captain Bess will tell you what to do next.

What to bring

• Smartphones with mobile data and full batteries. (It’s OK to share, but it works better if everyone has their own phone.)
• Shoes for walking 2½ miles.
• Waterproofs in case of bad weather.
• Wit, cunning and an adventurous spirit!

Accessibility

We've designed the game to be step-free around the whole route. The recommended pubs at half-way and at the end of the game have step-free front access and an accessible toilet.

We are currently looking for wheelchair users to play-test the game before we call it "wheelchair friendly".

If you'd like to test the game, please get in touch!