23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
My verdict of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition in Glasgow
Drive along the Clydeside this week and you can't miss the endless posters promoting this new experience which has arrived in Glasgow.
Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition officially launched to press and VIPs last night, and I was invited along to take part in the experience.
My knowledge of this Egyptian pharaoh is limited but I had a thirst for learning, and was excited to see what the fuss was all about.
(Image: The Tutankhamun Immersive Experience which runs at SEC Glasgow for 14 weeks. Pic Gordon Terris)
(Image: The Tutankhamun Immersive Experience which runs at SEC Glasgow for 14 weeks. Pic Gordon Terris)
I took my dad with me, who has watched documentaries on the historical figure, and on arrival we were met by the staff who took fun photos of us - which comes at an extra cost. They made the experience for me - they were so helpful, encouraging and had smiles on their faces throughout. They are a credit to those behind the production.
(Image: The Tutankhamun Immersive Experience which runs at SEC Glasgow for 14 weeks. Pic Gordon Terris)
We then entered the exhibit with replicas of treasures connected to ancient Egypt on display. This section of the museum was packed with placards detailing the story of Tutankhamun and the discovery of his tomb. It was so interesting but I need to be honest and say overwhelming. Usually I love reading anything that helps develop a narrative at museum but it was hard to concentrate with the haunting music of the exhibition blaring out of the speakers. I found myself stopping and restarting the story. An ideal solution might be ear phones with someone telling the story as you walk through. It might not bother others but it did dampen the start to my Tutankhamun journey.
(Image: The Tutankhamun Immersive Experience which runs at SEC Glasgow for 14 weeks. Pic Gordon Terris)
The next phase was a big room that really kicked off the immersive experience. You sit in a room with others and all the walls are covered in graphics telling the story. At the point I entered the room the story was underway so it took a minute to get into what was going on. This was visually beautiful and provided a moment to remember.
Another room takes you on a Virtual Reality (VR) journey to the afterlife. It was okay. You sat on a normal chair and put the headset on. The chair allowed you to move around if you wanted to. I have done similar things abroad including Sisi's Amazing Journey VR Experience in Vienna. This attraction told the story of the famous empress but the chair was more hi-tech and moved, I guess I had been spoiled before and wanted the same.
My favourite part of the experience was the mummification hologram. I felt I learnt the most here and it was so interesting. There was wee bits of information given during this part - I don't want to spoil - that had me wanting to know more.
The final part was a full VR experience. The technology was amazing as you were guided into a room using a full headset. To be honest I am too much of a wimp and the idea of not knowing where I was going made me take the headset off. But I know other people will love this and see it as a highlight.
READ NEXT: I saw & Juliet at the King's Theatre in Glasgow - my verdict
READ NEXT: I saw Anastacia live in Glasgow - and she revealed her Scottish 'addiction'
So why did I give this three stars? Aside from a few things mentioned above, the sticking point for me is the price of £28 per ticket. I just think it is a lot for families who maybe want to make a day of it. Yes concessions are available but I do think it could be slightly cheaper given the cost of similar experiences across Europe. A quick Google also tells you tickets started at 14 euros in Barcelona last year and from 10.90 euros in Madrid in 2023. The exhibit may have changed or had more technology added, but prices like this would make it more accessible.
Catch Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition from July 24 to October 26. More information HERE or visit
