18 September 2025 (11:00 - 16:00)
19 September 2025 (11:00 - 16:00)
20 September 2025 (11:00 - 16:00)
21 September 2025 (11:00 - 16:00)
Join us for multiple guided tours and youth activities at the Govan Old Church.
Every day of the festival at 12 noon, Professor Stephen Driscoll from the University of Glasgow, will give a special guided tour of the archaeological excavations and talk about his ongoing work at Govan Old.
There will also be guided tours of Govan Old and the Govan Stones available every 30 minutes.
Young people can handle replica artefacts from the Viking-Age and learn about the last 1500 years of Govan’s fascinating history.
A visit to the Govan Stones exhibition provides an opportunity to explore Glasgow’s oldest graveyard and learn about a moment in history when Govan was the seat of kings, when pilgrims prayed at the tombs of saints, and when Viking warriors plundered and conquered throughout the islands of Britain.
With archaeological excavations being conducted at Govan Old during September 2025, visitors will also be able to learn about any new discoveries and the ongoing survey of the graveyard.

Special Family Open Day: Saturday 20th September from 11am-4pm!
On Saturday 20th of September, Govan Old will be holding a family open day. The event will be a celebration of the launch of a 2-year project focussing on the archaeology and natural heritage of Govan Old Graveyard.
We will have an archaeological excavation running on the day and visitors can handle some of the recent finds and speak to the archaeologists about their plans. We will also have displays by the living history/re-enactment group Cumbraland, who specialise in the Viking-Age Kingdom of Strathclyde.

Junior explorers needed!
Young people can learn about the wildlife that inhabits the graveyard and help us to discover and record some of the many plant species that can be found within the churchyard. Suitable for all ages. Young people can also handle replica artefacts from the Viking-Age.
The area surrounding Govan Old is highly urbanised and the graveyard is an extremely important green space for both humans and animals and links with the river corridor. It is an important resting place as well as a habitat for local wildlife. Beneath the surface of what seems at first an unlikely nature reserve, the graveyard is in fact teeming with life throughout the day and night.

Overview
Completed in 1888, Govan Old has witnessed the many transformations and redevelopments of Glasgow over the last 136 years, some positive and some less so. The last 9 years have seen a serious reimagining of Govan Old’s role within Glasgow, with a change in ownership in 2016 and a new purpose as a museum and visitor attraction. Now, Govan Heritage Trust is getting ready to begin the next phase of Govan Old’s redevelopment.
During September 2025, Govan Heritage Trust begins a 2-year, National Lottery Heritage Fund supported project to transform the accessibility of Govan Old. Govan Old’s Phase 2 building project will deliver, for the first time, an accessible entrance to the A-listed site, accessible toilet facilities and lettable business space that will provide a long-term revenue for the venue and museum. Please come along and learn how we hope to play our part within Govan’s ongoing redevelopment and regeneration.
The building works will be completed alongside a 2-year project focussing on Govan Old’s archaeology and natural heritage. Come along and learn about our plans to showcase Govan’s amazing heritage and discover how you could take part/ volunteer.
At present, the church entrance has 5 steps. Unfortunately, we do not have a wheelchair ramp or accessible toilet.

Address
Govan Old Church, 866 Govan Road, Glasgow, G513UU