With over 635,000 inhabitants, Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, ahead of Edinburgh, and the third largest city in the United Kingdom after London and Birmingham.

Around 80 AD, the Romans colonised the city, which was probably called Cathures at the time. The Romans later built the Antonine Wall around 140 AD to separate Roman Britain from Celtic and Pictish Caledonia. According to legend, Glasgow itself was founded by the Christian missionary St Mungo in the 6th century. He is said to have built a church on the site of today's cathedral. Construction of St Mungo's Cathedral began in the 12th century. In 1451, the University of Glasgow was founded by papal decree. By the beginning of the 16th century, Glasgow had become an important religious and academic centre.
George Square, named after King George III, was originally laid out in 1781.

The Merchants' House is located on the west side. It has served as the seat of Glasgow City Council since 1996 and as the seat of the city's previous local authorities since 1889. The large column is the Sir Walter Scott monument from 1837.