'Dark and smelly': Here's what tourists think of Glasgow's Hielanman's Umbrella

In the 19th century, after the second phase of the Highland Clearances, 30,000 highlanders who could only speak Scottish Gaelic flocked to the city looking for work. 

They were scattered across Glasgow in new jobs and new homes, finding work in domestic services.

Over many years as highlanders continued to arrive, they kept in touch by meeting underneath the bridge at Central Station - mostly at the weekends. 

Glaswegians eventually dubbed it as the 'Hielanman's Umbrella', as highlanders would use it as a shelter to catch-up with friends, hiding from the harsh weather elements. 

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Now, according to Trip Advisor, it has become a tourist attraction - listed as number 303 of 334 things to do in Glasgow.

In the reviews, one person has branded it as "dank and smelly".

He said: "I love Glasgow, but I wouldn't say that this is a city attraction, a person usually walks quickly through the dank and smelly tunnel as fast as possible while trying to hold your breath at the same time.

"There are many beautiful buildings and places of interest in this lovely city, but the Highlandman's Umbrella is not one of them."

Meanwhile, another person labelled his experience of the Hielanman's Umbrella as "depressing".

"Even on a warm sunny day this was still dark, depressing and smelly from all the diesel fumes from all the buses that go through it - even the Glasgow Tour bus goes through, but I do not know what it is that they point out to visitors.

"All the lights are on permanently it is so gloomy.

"In severe need of updating", he said.

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Another reviewed: "In the olden days, highlanders supposedly used to meet under the bridge.

"It's been refurbished to make the dark alley look less dark alley like with bright lights and shops. None of which are particularly worth visiting for a tourist. There's also a regular population of homeless (not their fault).

"There's really nothing to see especially as The Arches are not closed. It's not even lit up at night to make it more attractive."

Out of 43 overall reviews, one person has rated it as "excellent".

She said: "The place is a bit dark. But I think it is part of Glasgow's scene. 

"It is super old and very interesting to see how it was made. If you are saying in your comments that there is nothing to see...let me tell you something: Beauty is in the eyes of whom sees it.

"It does not need to be pretty or perfect to be considered beautiful. It needs to have historical and architectural value and it does have it."

A man has described it as a "must to walk under" while somebody else has reviewed it as "lovely from a distance".

She said: "Nice piece of architecture to look at but sadly has taken its toll due to the increasingly seedy nature of the shops around it.

"This may be improving as a deli or two are moving in hit you have to survive the pen shops, chip shops, old man's bars and Greggs.

"It's still a lovely piece of architecture and being so close to town it's not so bad but it feels seedier than it was or should be."