Glasgow grew from the medieval Bishopric of Glasgow and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, which subsequently became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century the city also grew as one of Britain’s main hubs of transatlantic trade with British North America and the British West Indies. With the Industrial Revolution, the city and surrounding region shifted to become one of the world’s pre-eminent centres of Heavy Engineering, most notably in the Shipbuilding and Marine engineering industry, which produced many innovative and famous vessels.
Visitors to the city can expect a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere with art, culture, music and many other attractions. It makes Glasgow one of the best European destinations and a must visit when you’re holidaying in Scotland.
Glasgow Museums and Visitor Attractions
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Gallery of Modern Art
Exhibits include works by David Hockney, Sebastiao Salgado, and Andy Warhol as well as Scottish artists such as John Bellany and Ken Currie. In front of the Gallery is a statue of the Duke of Wellington, usually with traffic cone! Entry is free. museum website
Riverside Museum & Tall Ship Glenlee
The Riverside Museum opened its doors in 2011 and has already seen well over 4 million visitors since. It’s officially called Scotland’s Museum of Transport and Travel and it has a stunning collection of things on wheels, from your first Austin to a South African Railway Locomotive and almost everything in between. And this is not all. Outside the museum, on the Clyde Side, is the Tall Ship Glenlee, which was built in Glasgow and is open to the public. The Tall Ship gives a fascination look into life on a big sailing ship. Museum visitors are free to roam around the ship which also has a shop and a cafe. The Riverside Museum can be found west from the SSE Hydro, some 45 minutes walking along the Clyde from the City Centre. The Riverside Museum is free of charge.
Glasgow Science Centre
The Glasgow Science Centre, neighbouring Imax Theatre and Glasgow Tower can be found roughly opposite the Riverside Museum, on the south bank of the Clyde, next to the BBC Scotland building. This is very much a “Hands On” museum spread over three floors. Glasgow Science Centre is one of Scotland’s must-see visitor attractions. It has lots of activities to keep visitors of all ages entertained for hours. There are two acres of interactive exhibits, workshops, shows, activities and a stunning planetarium. Nextdoor is the Imax Theatre, not connected to the museum, and the Glasgow Tower, open to the public, weather permitting. Glasgow Science Centre is a paid-for museum and very much worth the entrance fee. You can easily spend an entire day here. Official website
The People’s Palace and Winter Garden
The People’s Palace can be found on Glasgow Green, Glasgow’s oldest park, and tells the story of Glasgow and its People. It’s not as “Grand” as Kelvingrove as it’s a lot smaller, and more intimate, but if you have a fascination for Glasgow you must visit this free museum. It tells the story from 1750 onwards through objects, paintings and photographs. Attached to the museum is a beautiful winter garden, a pleasure to visit on those cold and rainy days. It also has a cafe with good coffees and snacks, as most museums have these days. On a warmer day the fountain in front of the Museum is a pleasure to visit. More info: www.glasgowlife.org.uk
Other Museums in Glasgow
Apart from the ones above there are a few more museums worth visiting such as The Burrell Collection in Pollock Country Park, St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art next to Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis, The Hunterian Museum opposite Kelvingrove and the Scotland Street School Museum south of the River Clyde, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Speaking of the latter, Mackintosh was the founder of the Glasgow School of Art which can be visited, although the Mackintosh Building is currently closed for renovation after a devastating fire in 2014.
Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis
Visiting a graveyard might not be your first priority when you visit a city but the Necropolis in Glasgow is well worth it. It is located east of the Cathedral on a prominent hill overlooking much of the city centre. The Necropolis has been described as a ‘unique representation of Victorian Glasgow, built when Glasgow was the second city of the empire. It reflects the feeling of confidence and wealth and security of that time. It is a memorial to the merchant patriarchs of the City and contains the remains of almost every eminent Glaswegian of its day.
Glasgow Cathedral stands proudly in the heart of Glasgow, almost embraced by the Royal Infirmary. Glasgow cathedral is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 virtually intact. It is the finest building of the 1200s now surviving in mainland Scotland but parts of it are even older.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens is an arboretum and public park located north of the University and Kelvingrove Art Gallery. It features several glasshouses, the most notable of which is the Kibble Palace which has recently been restored. The gardens were created in 1817, and run by the Royal Botanic Institution of Glasgow and were intended to supply the University of Glasgow. The gardens were originally used for concerts and other events, and in 1891 the gardens were incorporated into the Parks and Gardens of the City of Glasgow. The gardens have a tea-room and are open all year. For more info visit www.glasgowbotanicgardens.com
Other attractions in Glasgow
For sporting history and in particular football you have the Scottish Football Museum housed at the national stadium, Hampden Park. You can also get stadium tours here as well as at the world’s most successful club Rangers Ibrox Stadium and at their city rivals Celtic Park.
If you are looking for something a little bit different you can even visit the Auchentoshan distillery and find out more about the process that happens to create your favourite Scotch Whisky. Based on the outskirts of Glasgow it is a great opportunity to see how one of the lowlands distilleries runs.
Shopping in Glasgow
Countless other shops can be found on the Style Mile, the heart of Glasgow Shopping, which includes parts of Argyll Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street. From a shopping point of view Glasgow is the best city in the UK after London.
Eating out in Glasgow
Glasgow is also renowned for its interesting nightlife and for the many restaurants, pubs and clubs as well as some of the most popular music venues in Europe. The City Centre and West End, Byres Road in particular, have a large number of restaurants in all varieties and price ranges. When on Byres Street go into the University Cafe, almost unchanged since hundred years. They serve good food and have great Italian Ice Cream. If you fancy Italian food try La Vita Pizzeria in the south-west corner of George Square or the slightly more expensive and modern Prezzo, at the corner of Buchanan Street and St Vincent Place. Both restaurants are best to be booked in advance.
Music Venues in Glasgow
North of Glasgow Green is the Barrowland Ballroom. This venue is widely regarded as one of the best music venues around. After starting its life as a dance hall as the name suggests it is more commonly used as a music venue now. You also have King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, this intimate venue is where Oasis where spotted by creation records Alan McGhee making it a must see for any music fan.
If you’re more into live traditional Scottish Music and prefer a somewhat smaller venue why not visit the Park Bar in Argyle Street. They often have live traditional music and many famous Scottish Bands have performed here.
Getting to Glasgow
A good alternative of the car is to visit the city by train when you use one of the many park and ride’s around the city. Or choose one of the smaller towns and villages near the railway lines to jump on the train. Glasgow Queen Street Station, Argyll Street and Glasgow Central Station are all located almost in the heart of the city from where it’s a few hundred metres or less to the nearest shops.
Public Transport in Glasgow
Map of Glasgow City Centre and Subway
Besides the subway there’s an excellent bus system in Glasgow connecting the City Centre with the surrounding area. If you rather prefer a Taxi you’ll find these on almost every street corner. To book or for more info visit www.glasgowtaxis.co.uk
With all these options available for you, plus countless others Glasgow proves itself to be one of the most popular city break destinations in the UK.
Further Information:
- Glasgow Museums Guide
- Visitor Attractions in the area
- Hotels in Glasgow
- Glasgow’s Hidden Gems
- Glasgow Tourist Board
Image of Kelvingrove by PhillipC, licensed under creative commons
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