Things to do in Glasgow
The architecture of Charles Rennie Mackintosh dominates this historic Scottish city and wherever you go there are hints of it on show. Glasgow is one of Britain's largest, liveliest and most exciting cities with plenty of things to see and do, day or night.
Glasgow's city centre is laid out in a US-style grid and the heart of the commercial part is easily accessible and user-friendly. Visitors are advised to begin their trip here and admire the beautiful, Victorian architecture.
This area of the city also includes the famous Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall streets, which are famous for their excellent shopping and trendy cafes and restaurants. The streets all form a Z shape and have been made into a largely pedestrianised area.
It is no secret that Glasgow offers some of the best shopping opportunities in the UK outside of London. As well as a number of large fashion and department stores, there are also a whole host of souvenir shops that stock every sort of tartan you could imagine in the form of scarves, rugs and the traditional kilt.
For a more authentic Glaswegian shopping experience, visitors are advised to take a trip to the Barras. This colourful and exciting flea market has been open since the early 20th century and is popular among the locals and tourists alike. You are guaranteed to bag yourself a bargain here, but you must be prepared to seriously haggle!
A trip to Glasgow Cathedral is a must and this fine example of pre-Reformation Gothic architecture is the only mainland Scottish cathedral to have survived the Reformation. Entry to the beautiful building is through a side door into the nave and the cathedral is divided by the late 15th century stone choir screen.
Another must-see attraction in this friendly city is the Glasgow School of Art. Charles Rennie Mackintosh's greatest building is still home to the educational institution and it is difficult not to be awestruck by the sheer austerity of the design and Mackintosh's precision. The Hunterian Museum in central Glasgow is also popular with tourists and features the collections of artefacts from William Hunter, a student at Glasgow University.
The affluent West End of Glasgow is certainly worth a trip, as this houses the city's university, which means that there are a number of trendy and lively clubs, bars and restaurants. This area is leafy and serene and is generally considered the most desirable district of Glasgow and is often voted as visitors' favourite place to explore. This area plays host to the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, which is currently closed until the end of the 2006 but is well worth a visit.
The opposite of the river Clyde, is considered by many, often locals, to be the "real Glasgow" and is home to one of Glasgow's top attractions – the Burrell Collection.
This collection was amassed by the wealthy industrialist Sir William Burrell before it was handed over to Glasgow. The collection, which is now housed in the Pollok Country Park, includes items from works by Cezanne and Renoir to medieval furniture and Chinese porcelain.
The building was the result of a design competition held in 1971 and can only truly be appreciated from the inside, where the true magnitude of the floor-to-ceiling windows can be admired.
Whatever your taste or budget, Glasgow is certain not to disappoint. The city has been reborn as a centre of style, vitality and excitement and will leave even the most active of visitors worn out.
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Things to do
