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Visiting Glasgow
As
well as being famous for its warm welcome, Glasgow, the largest city
in Scotland, is blessed with some of the greatest representations of
Victorian architecture in the world, most notably the works of famed
Glaswegian architects Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander "The
Greek" Thomson.
Apart
from its 70 stunning parks and gardens and aesthetic beauty, most
visitors are taken by the energy of the city, from its trendy bars and
first class nightlife to its artsy galleries and great shopping. In
fact, the shopping is one of the main reasons visitors from all around
Europe hop on a flight to Glasgow for a city break.
While strolling through the city music always fills the air - which is
no surprise given that the United Nation's cultural body, UNESCO,
named Glasgow City of Music. If you like music there is no better city
to visit than Glasgow. Stop into a pub on a weeknight and listen to a
band looking to break into the scene, after all many award winning
bands and artists including Paolo Nutini, Oasis and Franz Ferdinand
made their breakthroughs in this inspiring city playing at such gigs.
Traditional music lovers booking flights to Glasgow should definitely
visit at a time when the city plays host to some great music
festivals, particularly the Glasgow Music Festival.
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A perfect day
out in Glasgow
Devote the
morning to being inspired by a feast of art and culture. Begin with coffee
at the Willow Tea Room, a recreation of Charles Rennie Mackintosh`s elegant
art nouveau design. Then browse around the Lighthouse, the Centre for
Architecture and Design, featuring diverse international exhibitions. Have a
beer in the Horse Shoe Bar at 17 Drury Street, either because you’re
thirsty, or because it has the second longest pub bar in Britain. Nearby is
the cutting-edge Gallery of Modern Art with a collection of leading Scottish
artists and sculptors.
Relax over a
classy lunch around the corner at Rogano before an afternoon of serious
designer shopping around the Merchant City, the Italian Centre, and Cruise
(fabulously unique fashion), and along Buchanan Street. Alternatively head
down to the Clyde to the Science Centre where technology is interactively
brought to life. Back into the city centre for a couple of cocktails, before
it’s time to get back to your hotel to dress for dinner, drinks, and a
stylish night out on the town. Perfect.
Glasgow Climate
As with all of
Scotland, Glasgow winters are cold and wet with occasional bouts of snow and
little sun. From November to March, temperatures are typically between zero
and about seven degrees Celsius so warm clothing is a must when out and
about. Spring brings warmer weather and longer days. Summer can be warm and
sunny but there is always a chance of rain. May and June typically have the
lowest rainfall.
When to visit Glasgow
April to September
is the tourist season for Glasgow, and the peak season is July and August.
For this time of year, reserve your hotel well in advance.
The best times to book
cheap flights to Glasgow
are late spring, early summer, and autumn. All the attractions are
open, rooms are easy to find, and the weather is warm but of course you are
always guaranteed a warm welcome in Glasgow at any time of the year.
Getting Around
Glasgow
The best way to explore the centre of Glasgow is on foot. The hop-on
hop-off City Sightseeing bus is another great way to see the city.
Further afield for exploring via waterways, try a cruise on Loch
Lomond or take a day out onboard the
Waverley, the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world
and visit the towns and islands on the Firth of Clyde. Even more
adventurous would be a trip on the
sea plane
which lands and takes off on the river right in the heart of
the city at the Science Centre.
Glasgow’s public transport is excellent. The local rail network is
particularly good, and the bus system connects to the subway and train
networks. The underground system is the best way to get between the
city centre and the West End. The Roundabout Glasgow ticket covers all
underground and train transport in the city for a day. The Family Day
Tripper ticket gets two adults around the whole area.
Glasgow Insider
Information
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George Square is right in the heart of the city, in the centre of the
old town. Surrounded by huge and spectacular buildings, this is the
perfect place to start a tour. The square houses information points
and benches where you can relax and take in the architecture. It is
also the host to many festivals throughout the year. The piping
festival in August is especially worth visiting if you are in town.
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The University of Glasgow is housed in a spectacular building, right
next to the Kelvingrove Museum. The second-oldest university in
Scotland, the original university was founded in 1451. The buildings
used today date from 1870 when the campus was moved to its current
location. The University is also home to the Hunterian Museum – the
oldest public museum in Scotland. The art collection is impressive,
including works by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Whistler.
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Whisky is one of Scotland’s biggest exports. The nearest distillery to
Glasgow is at Glengoyne, 12 miles from Glasgow city centre. It is also
located close to Loch Lomond so you could combine a visit to both in
one day out. The distillery is open for tours and tastings throughout
the year.
Hire a car
and drive, if you want to visit Loch Lomond as well, or take a
taxi from Glasgow – which will take around 35 minutes.
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Much of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s best work can be found in the
city. Architect, designer and painter, he was a spearhead of the Art
Nouveau movement. The Lighthouse is a museum dedicated to architecture
and design, converted from his 1895 Glasgow Herald office. You can
learn all you’ll want to know about the designer and architecture in
the museum. There is also the Mackintosh Tower, with excellent views
of the city.
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More about visiting
Glasgow:
www.seeglasgow.com
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