Tours

Although originally from Weymouth in Dorset, on the southwest coast of England, I have been in Scotland since 1986, and I love it! The people, the culture, the history, the romance, the shopping, the architecture, and the breath-taking, majestic scenery make this tiny country a massive joy to live in and visit. I have researched its history, written about it, talked about it, toured and promoted it. I am even involved in the campaign to rescue one of its historic buildings, The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall – where Stan Laurel made his stage debut.

For several years I have used my tour guiding knowhow to provide bespoke tours for all kinds of clients from family groups and individual tourists to providing step on service for coach tours. I try my best to deliver the best visitor experience in Scotland. If you want to know more about booking me for a private, bespoke tour please email judith@britanniapanopticon.org  

The Glasgow Theatre and Entertainment Tour

Judith Bowers - founder of The Spirit of Glasgow Tour Company, (Glasgow’s first walking tour company), founder and director of the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall campaign and author of Glasgow’s Lost Theatre - will lead you on an edifying, amusing and sensational tour of the entertainment and theatre history of Glasgow. Starting outside the front of the St Enoch Subway building in St Enoch Square (facing Buchanan Street), you will discover tales of ghostly pipers, dancing bears, flea circuses, executions (once the only permitted entertainment in the city), Penny Geggies, the first theatres of Glasgow and some of the celebrities who have visited the city throughout its 850-year history. The walk ends with a tour around The Britannia Panopticon, the oldest surviving original music hall where Stan Laurel made his stage debut. Please note this tour may contain some adult content and very bad jokes.    Tour duration: 2 Hours including the visit to the Britannia Panopticon. Difficulty Level: Easy
All proceeds from this tour go to The Friends of The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Trust to assist in continuing the campaign and keeping the music hall open.

To see date options and book your tour please go to https://ticketsource.com/panopticon 

Group Tours

If you have a community group, walking club or just a bunch of friends who fancy doing booking a private walking tour with me I also currently offer The Historic Pub Tour and Victorian Square Mile of murder Tour. Pop me a wee email to judith@britanniapanopticon.org if you want to know more.  The Victorian Square Mile of Murder is one of my specialities by the way and the Pub Tour is great for staff nights out.

Talks

My tours are also available as talks and I also do a talk about the history of the Britannia Panopticon which is full of comedy and tales from the history of music hall, as well as a bit of social history background. The talk about Britannia Panopticon is always a fundraiser for the building and all fees go back to the charity. My other talks include a general history of Glasgow which is also jam packed with funny stories, anecdotes and ridiculous, sometimes horrendous facts.  My full talk usually lasts about 50 minutes, but I am also available for after dinner speaking.  

Story Telling

I love story telling and frequently dress up as Bodkin Bodikins to tell ghost stories and fairytales from around the world as well as local legends and myths. Bodkins travels with a large book and can regale you with tales suitable for any theme and age group.  

Although Bodkins is available for hire, you can also see her telling tales in the Britannia Panopticon Music hall every October, so keep an eye on https://britanniapanopticon.org for any story telling events coming up.

Bespoke Tours, Talks and Story Telling services are available to book from £150. 

All bookings are available by emailing me judith@britanniapanopticon.org