Top 10 Things To Do in Glasgow

Although Glasgow tends to be overshadowed by Edinburgh, travelers say Scotland's largest city should definitely not be overlooked. With an out-of-this-world shopping scene that features everything and anything from couture items to thrift-shop deals and everything that lies in between, like a hot live-music scene for example, Glasgow offers plenty and more than enough attractions and hotspots to satisfactorily fill a vacation. Some travelers have been recommending a tour of the City Chambers, the Riverside Museum and shopping within the Barras Market. But if you think that you need a bit of help navigating the city's top to-dos, consider signing up for some of Glasgow's top tours. Read the following list too while you’re at it. 

1. The Burrell Collection
Travelers express astonishment at this museum's near pitch-perfection. The Burrell Collection's glass walls not only encase a range of objects and artworks, but they also introduce the encompassing woodlands. Within the Burrell Collection, donated by the late millionaire Sir William Burrell, you will find everything from Chinese ceramics down to Rodin sculptures to the 20 Degas paintings. After you've had your fill of the museum, you will be able to wander round the surrounding Pollok Country Park.

Under normal circumstances, the Burrell Collection is often viewed for free of charge. Travelers highly recommend that you should take advantage of this steal, saying the museum's many types of art and its milieu are beyond comparison. However, in 2018, the museum temporarily closed for a significant overhaul and is anticipated to reopen within the spring of 2021, if not later. During the time of renovation, tourists can conveniently visit the Kelvingrove art gallery and Museum instead, which is hosting a number of free exhibits which highlight different items within the Burrell's collection.

 

2. Glasgow Cathedral

Dedicated to the city's patron saint, St. Mungo, the Glasgow Cathedral was consecrated within the 1100s but was finished around 300 years later. Of just about equal delight – to experts and travelers alike – are the cathedral's architecture (specifically the nave, crypt and chapel) and therefore the legends surrounding St. Mungo's life. And actually, the symbols found on Glasgow's coat of arms relate directly on to the St. Mungo legends, including the tree, bird, fish and bell. (In brief: the tree refers to at least one that St. Mungo burned during a holy fire, the bird to the one that he accidently killed but restored to life, the fish – depicted with a hoop in his mouth – to an episode within which the saint orchestrated the retrieval of a chunk of royal jewelry that had been lost within the Clyde, and also the bell to at least one commissioned within the saint's honor.)

Recent visitors frequently described the architecture and stained-glass windows of the building as "amazing." Reviewers have also applauded the volunteer guides that are open to answer any questions and offer hour long guided tours.

 

3. Riverside Museum

The Riverside Museum displays the city's transportation history for free. Its holdings has everything from trains and buses to skateboards and baby carriages. It holds more than 3,000 items all in all. On a related note, the museum is located alongside the River Clyde which is not far from the iconic Finnieston Crane. The Finnieston Crane is a symbol of the period which was when shipping made Glasgow a key industrial hub. You will also find a tall ship on the river that is free of charge for visitors to tour and explore, an absolute perk that recent travelers need to take.

Some travelers enjoyed the exhibit recreating the cobblestoned streets from a totally other era, while others highlighted the model boats in Clyde Room's. Some visitors were also very impressed with the in-house cafe. The museum is popularly regarded as a great spot to bring kids due to the engaging displays such as that one display which allows patrons to help put out a "fire" with an interactive fire engine. There is even a scavenger hunt for the children.

 

4. City Chambers

The Victorian-style City Chambers currently hosts the Glasgow City Council. It has been accommodating some sort of governing body ever since the late 1800s. You will find the magnificent building on the eastern side of George Square. In fact, if you take one of the building's free guided tours, you will be able to view the ornate entrance hall, the debating chamber, banqueting hall, some extravagant staircases, and many other features just waiting to be explored.

Some visitors have even expressed awe and astonishment at the impressive building along with its rich and detailed architectural designs. It is even said it is completely worth touring that even some of Glasgow's top tours make a stop at the City Chambers. 

 

5. Kelvin Grove Art Gallery and Museum
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is another popular and tourist-favorite museum. Did I also mention that the tour is free? It was established at the turn of the 20th century which aimed to resemble a Renaissance-style castle/cathedral. However, the museum was closed for around three years in the early 21st century for some major renovations. But today the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most visited galleries and museums in all of Scotland. Among its collection of European masters, just line Botticelli and Monet, you will find exhibits on Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Scottish storytelling, and Scottish armory, and many others. Other attractions and features include the Salvador Dali's "Christ of St. John of the Cross" and the restored Spitfire plane that hangs from the ceiling. All in all, the museum showcases a total of 22 galleries and more than 8,000 objects.

Museum-enthusiasts express their pleasure on the immensity and wide range of the Kelvingrove's exhibits. Fun fact, the museum houses an organ that is all the way from 1901. 

 

6. Pollok Country Park
Covering around 360 acres, the Pollok Country Park is the perfect peaceful retreat. It is one that is scattered with grazing Highland cattle, formal gardens and long expanses of unadulterated Scottish greens. Among its features are the Pollok House which is a Georgian Mansion that was established between 1747 and 1752 for a Scottish politician and philanthropist. It even has a Library and Parterre Garden which features clipped hedges, decorative ironwork and detailed flower bed designs. The park is also home to the famous Burrell Collection which is an art museum unfortunately closed for renovations but will eventually open soon enough.

Visiting the Pollok Country Park is similar to the experience of going to the countryside, but just without the part is leaving the urban city. Local runners and many dog walkers in particular express their enjoyment of the park.

 

7. Kelvingrove Park
If you are planning to spend your afternoon at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, you must also make some time to lounge at the lush Kelvingrove Park. The park covers a total of 85 acres. You can walk along the River Kelvin that meanders through the park, or you can take a relaxing stroll by the duck pond and by the numerous monuments before you stop by the park's open-air theater may or may not have done performances for the day. The facilities of the park include lawns of bowling greens, a couple of tennis courts, a skate park, and many other amenities. It even hosts numerous seasonal events such as some concerts in its bandshell.

Travelers and tourists have expressed their high enjoyment of this park for its wide range of things to do. It also has a  close proximity to the university which makes it popular with the pupils. In addition to all that, the park is also applauded for its pristine facilities and peacefully calm atmosphere.

 

8. Glengoyne Distillery
What else is more Scottish than a Scotch whisky? The Glengoyne Distillery that is. Visitors can enter the Glengoyne Distillery for a reasonable and affordable price. The distillery actually originated in 1833. You can even learn and experience how the spirit is made all the while enjoying their complimentary dram (which is a small drink). You will also get a chance to see the waterfall and hidden glen of the distillery.

Tourists have praised the Glengoyne Distillery because of its guided tour. It was said that the tour is very interesting and informative. Also that the sample was smooth. While others talked about the beautiful grounds of the Glengoyne Distillery.

 

9. Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery 
The Hunterian ranks as Scotland's oldest museum. It was founded in 1807 and it operates multiple venues on the main campus of the University of Glasgow, which includes the Hunterian Art Gallery and the Mackintosh House. The Mackintosh House is actually a recreation of the former home of the great architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the artist Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh who lived in the original house in the early 20th century. The house is furnished much as it was then using furniture of the design of Charles Mackintosh. Meanwhile, the Hunterian Museum houses exhibitions all relate to archaeology, paleontology, entomology, ethnography, geology, medicine, numismatics and zoology. The Hunterian Art Gallery showcases works made by prominent and well-known  artists such as Rembrandt, Rubens and James McNeill Whistler, along with some modern British artists and works by Charles Mackintosh. 

Visitors often find the Hunterian's diverse collections very intriguing. However, some of them said that the museum is a bit difficult to find on the campus of the university. The Mackintosh House is also said to impress visitors who have a liking in design.

 

10. Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace
The Botanic Gardens are yet another free attraction (yeay!) in the city. It bursts with colorful flora and fauna along the River Kelvin. While the gardens showcase a variety of greenhouses, such as the fantastic Kibble Palace. The Kibble Palace is packed with a rainforest of tropical plants and trees. The gardens also offer a pretty reprieve from Glasgow, especially if you are making your way from the restaurants, bars, cafes and shops on the busy Byres Road. There are also some well-regarded tea rooms in the former curator's house located nearby the Kibble Palace that serves both breakfast and lunch.

Plenty of tourists were drawn to the many exotic plants grown here, especially the carnivorous plants inside the greenhouse. While others recommended making a stop at the place for a calm afternoon tea.

 

 

Top 10 Fun Facts About Glasgow

Scotland’s second city has more than just a few bizarre facts up its sleeve than you would expect.

 

1. Bishop’s Castle once dominated the city centre
Glasgow still contains and maintains its medieval cathedral Up to this day. However, did you know that the Bishop’s Castle once stood to the left and on the site of the Royal Infirmary? Unfortunately, all its traces were then demolished in 1792. 

 

2. Glaswegian artists are known as miraculous
Since Douglas Gordon won the Turner prize in 1996, a total of five Glasgow artists have claimed the prestigious prize. And all those who won the prize in the last twenty year are Simon Starling, Richard Wright, Susan Philipsz, Martin Boyce and Duncan Campbell. 

This here has been referred to as ‘the Glasgow Miracle’, which is followed by the coining of the term by the art curator Hans Ulrich Obrist.

 

3. Glasgow has the oldest music hall in the world
The Britannia Panopticon was buried behind a shopfront and was rediscovered in 1997 with rivets on the floor which was said to be hurled at acts that the Glasgow audiences were not fond of and less than keen on. It was said to date back to the 1850s. 

Entry is still down a lane and up a stairwell. Fortunately, some vigorous volunteers got the funds to bring it back to its former glory. In fact, Stan Laurel of Laurel and Hardy fame made his debut there in 1906.

 

4. Glasgow has the longest bar in Europe
Drury Street establishment the Horseshoe Bar’s ornate Victorian bar was officially deemed as the longest bar in all of Europe. It measured a whopping and exact 104 feet and three inches.

 

5. Glasgow has the tallest cinema in the world
Cineworld’s purpose-built Renfrew Street branch is the tallest cinema on this world. The establishment contains 18 screens and has six floors. It can hold up to 663 people who can all enjoy a movie at the towering picture house.

 

6. The University of Glasgow moved a staircase brick by brick
The University of Glasgow was built in 1870, but before it was built, students used to attend lectures on the High Street.

The famous Lion and Unicorn Staircase that now leads to the University chapel was constructed in 1690 and was moved each and every stone from the original High Street location to the West End.

 

7. The City Chambers has even more marble than the Vatican
The Glasgow City Chambers boasts about its marble that is more than what the opulent Vatican City has. The lavishly decorated council building had even stood in for the home of the Catholic Church in the film ‘Heavenly Pursuits’.

It cost a hefty £578,232 to build the Chambers in 1889 which could have been equivalent to £40 million today.

 

8. Saint Valentine’s remains are inside the Gorbals
The Church of Blessed St John Duns Scotus on Ballater Street holds the remains of the famous Saint Valentine.

A wooden box labeled ‘Corpus Valentini Martyris’ was given to a group of Franciscan friars by a French family who used to collect religious relics back in 1868.

 

9. Glaslow has the tallest fully rotating structure in the world 
The famous Glasgow Tower holds the Guinness World record for the tallest structure in the world that is also capable of rotating a complete 360 degrees.

At a height of 127 metres, the tower is easily also the tallest building in the entire of Scotland.

 

10. Glasgow translated in Gaelic is ‘green hollow’
Spelled as ‘Ghlaschu’ in gaelic, Scotland’s largest city’s name literally translates as ‘green hollow’ or ‘ghlas’ which is green and ‘chu’ which is hollow.

The use of green is apt, because of the city’s many green parks, like the Kelvingrove, Alexandra and Victoria.