Scotland is a wonderland of brilliant places to go and things to do. The landscapes are literally awe-inspiring, the people are honest and warm, and every big city has its own unique flavour. This time we’re exploring the city of Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest, home to a million people with another 800,000 living around the edges. Book a day tour of one of Scotland’s saltiest urban destinations where modern and ancient live side by side. You’re going to love it.
Exploring Glasgow by bridge
Almost filling the lower Clyde valley to capacity, the name’s origins lie in the Gaelic for ‘green valley’: Glaschu. Building began on the cathedral in the 1100s. The first stone bridge over the Clyde was built in 1350, which leads us on to the first attraction. There are sixteen incredible bridges over the mighty river Clyde bisecting the city.
Doing the bridges makes a fantastic walk for keen hikers, otherwise the best way to experience both sides of the river is on wheels. Hire a bike or car and zig-zag your way back and to across the Clyde, then turn around and do the same the other way round for a whole new set of views of fascinating city secrets you’d never otherwise see. Stop off for snacks and drinks along the way to get a deeper feel for the place. Here’s a guide to Glasgow’s bridges.
Alternative walking tours of Glasgow
For those of us who like a guided tour, there’s a choice of alternative walking tours around Glasgow. Your guide, who knows the place intimately, will take you on a deep dive under the surface to experience the history, people and landmarks through a local’s eyes. Some are free. If so, please be generous with your donation.
Do the style mile and more
From dedicated fashionistas to the merely curious, Glasgow’s sophisticated Style Mile is where you’ll find the finest designer and high street shops: Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street, Argyle Street and Ingram Street. There’s also a great choice of excellent vintage and second hand clothes shops stacked with treasures from the 1920s to ’90s and noughties. King’s Court is a treat, home to the legendary Mr. Ben retro store.
Drink it neat like a local
Make your way to a whisky distillery to sample the national drink. There are plenty to choose from. DIY if you like, or book a tour with an expert whisky guide to learn about the tipples you’re tasting at all the best places. If beer is more your kind of drink, try craft beer masterpieces from local breweries like Drygate Brewery, Clockwork Beer Company and the Kelburn Brewing Company.
A UNESCO City of Music
Isn’t it interesting how some cities have more to say musically than others? Glasgow joins Manchester and Liverpool to deliver some mighty fine tunes, a UNESCO City of Music stacked with everything from traditional Scottish music to folk and country, classical, rock, blues, indie, soul, jazz, rap, R&B and house. No wonder there are expert walking tours on offer, exploring Glasgow’s musical heritage and taking in the legendary venues where so many iconic bands and DJs made their names.
Eat, drink and chill out in the coolest places
Ashton Lane is your destination to party like the locals. Head to the West End for a vibrant cobbled street lined with fairy lights, lively eateries, funky bars and one of the city’s best-loved off the beaten track restaurants, Ubiquitous Chip… which does a lot more than chips thanks to a superb wine cellar and a reputation for the finest Scottish food. Watch the world go by, enjoy coffee roasted in the Outer Hebrides, have a go at haggis, see what the locals are up to, it’s an adventure in itself.
Inhale some of the green stuff
The Hidden Gardens have been soothing foot-weary shoppers and inspiring lovers of nature since 2003, a delightful place to escape the bustle. There’s a fabulous plant collection to admire and a leisurely stroll amongst the Scottish wildflowers of its inner city meadow – such a joy – refreshes and renews. Now you’re ready for your next mini-adventure!
For more lung-fulls of fresh air head for the 50 acres of leafy parkland surrounding the Botanic Gardens where you’ll also find elegant Kibble Palace, a huge glass and iron greenhouse packed with tree ferns. Theer are eleven more different greenhouses to explore afterwards including collections or rare orchids and fancy begonias. A handy path takes you to a scenic riverside walk.
Follow the mesmerising street art trail
Like so many cities and towns Glasgow has realised street art is just as valid, important and exciting as any other kind of art. Celebrated in style with a ton of murals throughout the city centre, it makes a thrilling tour. There’s work by big-name artists like Ali Wyllie, Art Pistol and Ejek, and there’s a particularly famous favourite called the Spaceman by Wyllie and Recoat. Visit the underpass at Cowcaddens for a truly eerie experience: paintings of enormous hyper-real hands line the tunnel, each casting a realistic shadow. Literally awe-inspiring.
Meet Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work is all over Glasgow, from the lovely Glasgow School of Art building to the wonderful House for an Art Lover, the designer’s elegant country home in leafy Bellahouston Park. It’s like stepping into the great man’s mind, so typical of his unique style. There’s artwork everywhere, art exhibitions in the restaurant, and alfresco eating when the weather’s playing nice.
Soak up the culture at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove is a lot of fun, home to thousands of strange, weird and wonderful exhibits of every sort. You won’t want to miss Salvador DalÃ’s painting of Christ of St John of the Cross, painted so cleverly it looks like the cross and its occupant are about to topple onto your head. How did he do that?! There’s also a WW2 Spitfire, a machine so gracefully designed it’s hard to believe it’s a killer. Plus massive dinosaur skeletons, ancient armour, and a stuffed elephant.
Soak up more Glasgow culture at the Burrell Collection
One person collected more than 9000 magical things from the past six thousand years, and they’re all in one place for you to admire. Visit the Burrell for Rodin, Manet, Degas and Cézanne, treasures from medieval times, stunning Islamic art, one of the UK’s most important collections of Chinese art, Roman sculpture, fine Egyptian pottery, stained glass, weapons and some of the world’s best tapestries.
Enjoy an unusually Instagrammable day of the dead
Paris’ infamous Père Lachaise cemetery is quite something, and so is Glasgow’s Necropolis. This spookily pretty Victorian cemetery is where at least 3500 are buried, some with the most incredible monuments, one designed by Rennie mackintosh himself. Instagram heaven, this is such a good place to take creative photos, and also for telling ghost stories if you dare, open from seven in the morning to half four.
Dazzling Steampunk creations
Eduard Bersudsky, a sculptor with incredible mechanical skills, and theatre director Tatyana Jakovskaya, started the magic in St. Petersburg, Russia, back in 1989. Two decades later they moved lock, stock and barrel to Glasgow, and their Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre has been drawing crowds ever since. Expect a truly enchanting stage experience as steampunk-style machinery, carved figures, lights and music weave hauntingly lovely tales. We recommend you book tickets as far in advance as you can, especially in the holiday season.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg in this huge, busy, warm-hearted city full of verve, cheek and no-nonsense grit. We hop you have the time of your life on the Glasgow day tours you choose.
Comment (0)