Scotties in the City: Glasgow’s Free Art Trail for Summer 2026
Glasgow has gone barking mad this summer as Scotties in the City brings a colourful new public art trail to the streets of the city.
Running from 18 June to 16 August 2026, the free family-friendly trail features 40 giant Scottie dog sculptures and 52 wee Scotties, each decorated with its own unique design. The trail has been created to raise awareness and funds for Maggie’s, the charity providing free cancer support to people with cancer, as well as their family and friends.
Whether you are planning a day out in Glasgow, looking for free things to do with kids, or fancy discovering the city in a different way, Scotties in the City is a fun summer activity for all ages.
What is Scotties in the City?
Scotties in the City is a public art trail led by Maggie’s in partnership with Wild in Art. Across Glasgow, visitors will be able to find a pack of giant Scottie dog sculptures, each designed and painted by talented artists and sponsored by local businesses.
Alongside the large sculptures, there are also smaller Scotties created by local schools, nurseries and community groups as part of the community and learning programme. These wee Scotties may be smaller in size, but they are full of creativity and make the trail even more special.
How to take part in the Scotties in the City trail
The trail is free to explore. Visitors can download the Scotties in the City app, pick up a map and head out across Glasgow to find as many Scottie sculptures as possible.
The app helps you navigate the trail, collect sculptures, vote for your favourites, upload photos and unlock rewards along the way. Each sculpture has a plaque with a four-digit code, which can be entered into the app to mark that Scottie as collected.
You can also use the app to track your progress, see your steps and miles, and keep up to date with Scotties in the City news and events.
Download the Scotties in the City app here.
Why is the trail supporting Maggie’s?
Scotties in the City is more than just a fun day out. The trail is helping to raise awareness of Maggie’s and the vital work the charity does for people affected by cancer.
Maggie’s offers free support to people with cancer, no matter the type or stage. Support is also available for family and friends, with no appointment or referral needed. The charity’s support has no time limit, meaning people can access help for as long as they need it.
At the end of the trail, the giant Scottie sculptures will be auctioned to raise vital funds for Maggie’s.
Scotties in the City key dates
- Trail dates: 18 June – 16 August 2026
- Location: Glasgow
- Cost: Free to explore
- What to see: 40 giant Scotties and 52 wee Scotties
- Charity: Maggie’s
- App: Available free via the App Store and Google Play
Scotties in the City events
As well as the main art trail, there will be extra events linked to Scotties in the City, including a Mutt Strut for Maggie’s, a Farewell Weekend and the final auction of the Scottie sculptures.
The Mutt Strut for Maggie’s takes place on Saturday 8 August 2026, starting at 10:30am, and invites people to join an inclusive sponsored dog walk in Glasgow.
The Farewell Weekend will give visitors one last chance to see the giant Scotties together before they are auctioned to raise funds for Maggie’s.
See Scotties in the City events here.
Why visit Scotties in the City?
Scotties in the City is a brilliant way to explore Glasgow on foot, discover new corners of the city and enjoy public art in a relaxed, accessible way. It is ideal for families, dog lovers, art fans, photographers and anyone looking for free things to do in Glasgow this summer.
The trail also gives visitors the chance to support an important cause while enjoying a creative day out. Each Scottie has its own story, design and personality, making the trail a fun challenge whether you try to find a few sculptures or complete the whole pack.
Plan your visit
To make the most of the trail, download the Scotties in the City app before you go, wear comfortable shoes and give yourself time to stop for photos. The trail is spread across Glasgow, so it is worth planning your route in advance or exploring it over a few different days.
Don’t forget to share your photos and follow the conversation using #ScottiesintheCity.
Scotties in the City FAQ
When is Scotties in the City?
Scotties in the City runs in Glasgow from 18 June to 16 August 2026.
Is Scotties in the City free?
Yes, the trail is free to explore.
Where is Scotties in the City?
The trail takes place across Glasgow, with Scottie dog sculptures located around the city.
How many Scotties are on the trail?
There are 40 giant Scottie dog sculptures and 52 smaller Scotties created by local schools, nurseries and community groups.
Do I need the app?
You can enjoy the trail without the app, but downloading it helps you find sculptures, collect codes, unlock rewards, vote for favourites and track your progress.
What happens after the trail ends?
After the trail, the giant Scotties will be brought together for farewell events before being auctioned to raise funds for Maggie’s.
Author: Emma Mykytyn
Writes for here and Foodie Explorers website. Usually found napping.