Want to really experience Scotland? Get yourself to Glasgow for a city break you’ll remember for years to come!
As the largest city in Scotland, there are always plenty of things to do in Glasgow. Whether it’s catching up on some culture in this UNESCO Creative City or discovering a new band and sampling the best of Glasgow nightlife, a trip here is something you’ll remember forever.
So much to see!
Glasgow has so many different sights that it’s best to take a city tour, either by bus, boat or simply walking around, with your eyes wide open and your camera poised at the ready. Start in the city centre and walk out to see attractions such as the Glasgow Cathedral, a Gothic church built in medieval times, the Necropolis cemetery, the Glasgow Cross, the original medieval city centre and of course, Glasgow Central Station. Mitchell Library is the largest municipal public reference library in Europe and Park Circus is a circular ring of charming Georgian town houses that can’t be missed. You can also take a hop-on, hop-off boat trip along the River Clyde, or go further afield to the beautiful Loch Lomond.
Get your museum fix
Glasgow has a surprising amount of top-rated museums and galleries in town. One of the best places to visit in Glasgow is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – even if you’re not an art fan, you can still admire the grand building and stunning Victorian architecture. Inside, you can wander around one of the finest civic collections in Europe, with everything from armour displays to anthropological artefacts. There are artwork by Monet, Dali and Van Gogh, as well as fossils, wildlife displays and even a Supermarine Spitfire. It’s completely free to enter so it’s well worth a visit. The adjacent Kelvingrove Park is a nice place to relax after you’re all art-ed out!
Sample some whisky
As you’d expect, whisky bars are everywhere in Glasgow and the Scottish love nothing more than putting the world to rights over a few drinks. Visit the award-winning Glengoyne Distillery in Dumgoyne, about 10 miles north of Glasgow city centre. Founded in 1833, Glengoyne is the only distillery producing Highland single malt whisky matured in the Lowlands. It’s open all year round and you can take a guided tour around the warehouse (with whisky tasting included, of course!), stock up on rare whiskies to take home, or even create your very own Glengoyne Highland single malt.
Stop for a cup of tea
If you’re not quite ready for the hard stuff, you can enjoy a delightful afternoon tea in Glasgow. The Willow Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street are by far the most famous tearooms, designed by Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, even right down to the waitresses’ uniforms! Taste traditional Scottish treats such as Lapsang Souchong smoked salmon sandwiches, Cullen skink soup, and of course, rich buttery shortbread in the decadent Room de Luxe, created in the early 1900s.
Rock on!
Glasgow is famous for its music, whether it’s underground rock bands following in Oasis’ footsteps at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, or the Royal Scottish National Orchestra playing a sold-out show at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Live music fans should spend a night bar-hopping between well-known establishments like King Tut’s, the Barrowland Ballroom and the Glasgow O2 Academy, while lovers of classical music should try to get tickets to the city’s various theatrical venues, such as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, the Panopticon Music Hall, and St Andrews in the Square.
