Overview of George Square

Originally laid out in 1801 to plans by James Barry, George Square is situated in the heart of Glasgow with the City Chambers on its eastern side. It forms the main 'open space' in the City Centre and is home to statues of General Sir John Moore (dating from 1819, by John Flaxman and the first to be installed in the Square), Sir Walter Scott, Sir Robert Peel, Prince Albert, Robert Burns, Lord Clyde, Thomas Campbell, Dr. Thomas Graham, James Oswald, James Watt, William Gladstone and Queen Victoria, the only female. Originally set out with grassed areas, plant beds and trees, it has been redesigned with most of the flora removed and replaced with red tarmac such that Glaswegians refer to it as "Red Square".

The Square underwent a remarkable transition in 2011 to become the US city of Philadelphia as a set for the £80-million blockbuster film World War Z starring Brad Pitt. Street signs were changed and American vehicles imported for the production which involved hundreds of local extras and was estimated to bring £2 million into the local economy.