exhibition:ghost signs of glasgow

april-july 2022

Unearthing the stories behind old signs and shop fronts of the city

What is a ghost sign? It’s the fading remains of old signs on buildings: flaking paint, weather-worn words. The Ghost Signs of Glasgow exhibition reveals forgotten areas of Glasgow’s architectural, social and cultural history through ghost sign photography.

Working with the Maryhill Museum, theses images are shown alongside artefacts from our museum collection.

Ghost Signs of Glasgow is a Glasgow City Heritage Trust project.

Visit the exhibition

1 April - 1 July 2022
10-5 Mon-Fri
Free entry
Wheelchair access and large print materials

Young visitors can take part in a game - find the hidden ghost in the exhibition, and receive a prize!

Find out more

Visit the Ghost Signs of Glasgow website to find out how painters used to make their own paint - the same paint we now see faded, but clinging on, a sign of enduring craftsmanship. Or read about how signs for obsolete products now adorn and lend their identity to emerging businesses - urban decline and urban growth visible side by side.

Get involved

Whether you’re a seasoned ghost sign spotter or new to the game, we’d love to share your findings in our Ghost Signs of Maryhill online gallery!

Snap your own ghost sign photos, like the one above by Margaret J Campbell, and tag us on Instagram (@maryhillburghhalls) or Twitter (@maryhill_halls) or email them to info@mbht.org.uk