Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Pinal Airpark
Note the chrysanthemum crests.
Hachiman Bridge
Clarendon War Memorial.
Clarendon War Memorial
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Everything at Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe is served in takeout containers.
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe
The fried green tomato sandwich comes on jalapeño cornbread toast.
Café Reconcile
BBQ shrimp braised in beer are a popular menu item.
High Hat Cafe
The pastries at Lagniappe Bakehouse are worth waking up for.
Lagniappe Bakehouse
Peter Vazquez has been quietly making a name for himself for years.
The Appetite Repair Shop
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Haleakalā National Park’s summit region, shrouded in the pre-dawn fog.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
23 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
23 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
24 days ago
Here’s which treats you can safely lug home without risking a fine.
Dear Atlas: What International Food Can I Legally Bring Into the U.S.?
25 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Glasgow Bella the Beithir
AO Edited

Bella the Beithir

A mythological Celtic beast built with thousands of colorful tiles stands guard over a historic canal junction.

Glasgow, Scotland

Added By
Dror
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
  Dror / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Union Canal   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
National Cycle Network route 754   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Accessible Ramp   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
View from above   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
View from Canal   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
DO NOT CLIMB   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Close-up of mosiac designs   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

In 1777, Stockingfield Junction was opened to allow traffic from the Forth and Clyde Canal to reach the center of Glasgow. It closed in 1962, and its restoration was completed in 2022. The restoration and building of a bridge connect the communities of Maryhill, Gilsochhill, and Ruchill for the first time since the Forth and Clyde Canal was built. 

To celebrate this novel unity, a mythological Celtic beast, Bella the Beithir, is one of 22 works of art being installed in the Stockingfield Bridge Art Park adjacent to the Forth and Clyde Canal. Bella is over 390 feet long and constructed from a steel wire frame and concrete. For the next five years, the community organization Make it Glasgow, will be sourcing more tile 'scales' from local artists, reclamation projects, and around the world to cover the beast. These tiles and their sourcing celebrate not just the junction, but Scotland's deep cultural heritage in ceramics and trade. 

The Beithir is a Celtic dragon that lacks wings or fiery breath, but is described as "the largest and most deadly kind of serpent." They are said to kill with a venomous sting and are often said to live in mountainous caves near lochs and streams, where they feast on travelers and wild haggis. Bella the Beithir carries a world egg inside her mouth as a symbol of hope.

Related Tags

Dragons Celtic Mythology Canals Bridges Scotland

Know Before You Go

You can reach the Beithir by walking along the Forth and Clyde Canal from the central city. It would take one just over an hour walking from central Glasgow. Note that the Union Canal is popular with both dog walkers and cyclists. The Union Canal is along the National Cycle Network route 754.

There is a large ramp, which is handicap accessible, that will take one up to the Beithir. Avoid the temptation to climb atop of the structure, though sturdy, the mosaic tiles are fragile and prone to being damaged.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Dror

Edited By

SEANETTA

  • SEANETTA

Published

July 8, 2024

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/whats-new/news/1654-the-beithir-of-ben-nevis
  • https://artmag.co.uk/unveiling-bella-the-beithir-at-stockingfield-bridge-art-park/
Bella the Beithir
Currie St
Glasgow, Scotland, G20 9HL
United Kingdom
55.892083, -4.284504
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Maryhill Burgh Halls

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Poetry Postbox

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Botanic Gardens Railway Station

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Nearby Places

Maryhill Burgh Halls

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Poetry Postbox

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Botanic Gardens Railway Station

Glasgow, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Glasgow

Glasgow

Scotland

Places 90
Stories 4

Related Places

  • Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge)

    Copenhagen, Denmark

    Cirkelbroen (The Circle Bridge)

    This bridge's unique architecture honors nautical heritage and encourages self-awareness.

  • Kapaʻa, Hawaii

    Moikeha Canal Bridge

    Now a pedestrian bridge, this was once part of a narrow-gauge railroad that ran along the east coast of Kauai.

  • Håverud Aqueduct and the railway bridge.

    Håverud, Sweden

    Håverud Aqueduct

    A railway, a waterway, and a roadway all in one, suspended over a rushing river.

  • Rolling Bridge

    Ulverston, England

    Ulverston Canal Rolling Bridge

    This unique style of bridge is the last of its kind and runs over the straightest canal in Britain.

  • Dos du Dragon

    Ivoini, Comoros

    Dos du Dragon

    This moss-covered, rocky outcropping looks like a mythical beast resting in the water.

  • General view of the fence

    Barcelona, Spain

    The Güell Pavillions Dragon Gate

    This stunning iron gate designed by Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí is filled with mythic symbolism.

  • Foxton Locks

    Foxton, England

    Foxton Locks

    The longest and steepest staircase locks in the United Kingdom.

  • Winged kirin statues.

    Tokyo, Japan

    Nihonbashi Kirin Statues

    Mythical beasts symbolizing the city of Tokyo guard a historic bridge.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.