Glasgow
From Imakoopedia
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, with a population of about 620,000 in the city itself, or over 1.8 million if the surrounding towns of the Clydeside conurbation are taken into account. Located at the west end of Scotland's Central Belt on the banks of the river Clyde, Glasgow's historical importance as Scotland's main industrial centre has been challenged in recent decades by decline and change. The 1990s saw Glasgow designated as the European City of Culture (1990) and of Architecture and Design (1999), as well as European Capital of Sport (2003). This has turned Glasgow into a desirable short break location (http://travel.guardian.co.uk/cities/story/0,7450,977554,00.html) (Guardian newspaper, 2003). Visitors will now find a revitalised city centre, the best shopping in Scotland, excellent parks and museums (most of which are free), and easy access to the highlands and islands. However, for all its regeneration projects, Glasgow still contains some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK.
| Table of contents |
Understand
Glasgow is almost completely unlike Edinburgh, 45 miles to the east. You should visit both. Be patient with the local accent - it can be difficult to understand, even if you have had experience with English in other countries. The speed of the conversation tends to be quite quick in Glasgow. If needed ask people to repeat (even slowly!) what they are saying.
Get in
By plane
- Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is the main airport for domestic and European flights and a few transatlantic routes. There's a frequent shuttle bus from outside the terminal building to the city centre, dropping off near both main railway stations (£3.50; the journey takes about 20 minutes). http://www.baa.com/main/airports/glasgow
- Glasgow Prestwick International Airport (PIK), about 50 km away on the Ayrshire coast, is the Scottish base for Ryanair (see Discount airlines in Europe). The airport has its own railway station with two trains per hour to Glasgow Central (show your Ryanair paperwork to get a discount; the journey takes about an hour). http://www.gpia.co.uk
By train
Trains from England and south west Scotland arrive at Central Station, while trains from Edinburgh and anywhere north of Glasgow arrive at Queen Street Station. There are four trains per hour between Edinburgh and Glasgow during the day; the journey takes 50 minutes. Both Central and Queen Street stations have left luggage lockers. The stations are an easy ten minute walk apart, or there's a frequent shuttle bus between them.
Most trains within Scotland, and sleeper services from London, are run by FirstScotrail (http://www.firstscotrail.com. Other trains from England are run by Virgin Trains (http://www.virgintrains.co.uk) and GNER (http://www.gner.co.uk).
By car
The main approaches to Glasgow are:
- from England on the M74 motorway; Glasgow is about 150 km north of the border
- from Edinburgh (east) or Glasgow Airport (west) on the M8 motorway
- from Stirling and all points north and east on the M80 motorway
- from the West Highlands on the A82 dual carriageway.
All routes converge on the M8 which carves through the city centre. Glasgow has no credible park-and-ride system, but some of the subway and suburban railway stations do have small car parks. There are several expensive multi-story car parks near the motorway in the city centre.
By bus
Long-distance buses arrive at Buchanan Bus Station (in the city centre, close to Buchanan Street/Queen Street stations). Bus services: http://www.nationalexpress.com
By boat
For travellers arriving from outside Scotland, the nearest ferry ports are Troon (near Prestwick Airport), for ferries from Belfast in Northern Ireland, or Rosyth (near Edinburgh), for ferries from Zeebrugge in Belgium. Each is about an hour's drive from Glasgow.
- Belfast/Troon: http://www.seacontainers.com
- Zeebrugge/Rosyth: http://www.superfast.com
Get around
Strathclyde Passenger Transport (http://www.spt.co.uk/) (SPT) is the agency that runs the local public transport network, and describes it as one of the most integrated and developed in the UK, but they mean by British standards, not European standards. For information on public transport phone 0870 6082608.
- Subway trains run in a circle around the city centre and some inner suburbs. There are interchanges with surface trains at Buchanan Street/Queen Street and Partick stations. 6.30AM-11.30PM (Su 11AM-6PM). £1 flat fare, or £1.70 for unlimited daily use after 9:30AM or all day at the weekend. No bikes. Map and timetables: http://www.spt.co.uk/travel/underground.asp
- Suburban trains radiate from Central and Queen Street stations to the suburbs and surrounding towns. There are only two trains per hour on many routes. Bikes go free. Map and timetables: http://www.spt.co.uk/travel/rail.html
- Buses go everywhere. First Glasgow is the main operator. There's a bus every ten minutes on main routes during the day. Maps and timetables: http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/scotland/swscot/home/index.php
See
Architecture
As befits a city that was at its richest through the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th, Glasgow has a fine legacy of Victorian buildings. Most of Glasgow is built in the salmon colored sandstone that is the trademark of the city and which positively glows on a bright day; none of Edinburgh's dour granite here.
Glasgow was also the home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the leading proponents of art nouveau architecture. Indeed, during his lifetime, Mackintosh was probably better regarded abroad than he was in his native Glasgow. However now he is one of the cities most beloved sons, and there are quite a few of his buildings to see in the city, including his magnum opus, the Glasgow School of Art.
The following list is a selection of significant buildings in Glasgow.
- The Clyde Auditorium, affectionately known by Glaswegians as the Armadillo, is a stunning building which forms part of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (train: Exhibition Centre). Pictures: http://www.secc.co.uk/gallery
- Glasgow Cathedral is a fine example of Gothic architecture dating from medieval times and built on a site first consecrated in 397 AD.
- Glasgow School of Art, Renfrew Street (subway: Cowcaddens) is seen as one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's finest buildings and is one of Britain's pre-eminent schools of art, design and architecture. Guided tours of the building are available (you must book in advance), or if you want to create your own art in the building, you can enrol for evening classes or the summer school. http://www.gsa.ac.uk
- Glasgow University, University Avenue (subway: Hillhead) contains the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, including a reconstruction of Mackintosh's house. http://www.gla.ac.uk
- House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park (train: Dumbreck or subway: Ibrox), was built in the 1990s to Mackintosh's original 1901 entry for a design competition. Opening times vary. £3.50. http://www.houseforanartlover.co.uk
If this just whets your appetite for information on Glasgow's architecture, try and get hold of a copy of Central Glasgow: An Illustrated Architectural Guide, by Charles McKean and others. There are various editions (ISBN:1873190220, ISBN:1851582002, ISBN:1851582010).
Museums and Art Galleries
The Victorian's also left Glasgow with a wonderful legacy of museums and art galleries, which the city has dutifully built upon. The following list is only a selection. The city council alone runs 13 museums and galleries; for a full list of these see their website (http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/ ).
- The Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park (train: Pollokshaws West, then walk through Pollok Park), tel 287-2550. This is a collection of over 9000 artworks gifted to the city of Glasgow by Sir William Burrell and housed in a purpose-built museum in the Pollok Estate in the south of the city. Open M-Th,Sa 10am-5pm; F,Su 11am-5pm. Free. http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=1
- Glasgow Science Centre, Pacific Quay (train: Exhibition Centre or subway: Cessnock) has hundreds of interactive science exhibits for children, an IMAX cinema, and the 125-meter Glasgow Tower (opened Summer 2004), the only tower in the world which can rotate through 360 degrees from its base. Every day, 10AM-6PM. £10 adults, £8 children for any two of the main attractions. http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street (subway: Kelvinhall), tel 287-2699. One of the finest civic collections in Europe is housed within this Glasgow Victorian landmark museum. The collections include everything from fine and decorative arts to archaeology and the natural world. Open M-Th,Sa 10am-5pm; F,Su 11am-5pm (Note: Kelvingrove is now closed until early 2006 for refurbishment; see entry for McLellan Galleries). Free. http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=4
- McLellan Galleries, Sauchiehall Street, tel 565-4137. Normally used as a temporary space for visiting exhibitions, this grade II listed building in the center of Glasgow will, until Kelvingrove reopens, host the 'Art Treasures of Kelvingrove', an exhibition of the city's best-loved art works. Open M-Th,Sa 10am-5pm; F,Su 11am-5pm. Free while hosting the 'Art Treasures of Kelvingrove' exhibition. http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=6
- Museum of Transport, Kelvin Hall, Bunhouse Road (subway: Kelvinhall), tel 287-2720 . The museum uses its collections of vehicles and models to tell the story of transport by land and sea, with a unique Glasgow flavour. Besides the usual rail locomotives, buses, trams, cars and planes, the museum also includes a recreated subway station, and a street scene of old Glasgow. Open M-Th,Sa 10am-5pm; F,Su 11am-5pm. Free. http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=7
- Provand's Lordship, Castle Street (opposite Glasgow Cathedral), tel 552-8819. Glasgow's oldest remaining house, built in 1471, has been renovated to give visitors and idea what the inside of a Glasgow house was like circa 1700. Open M-Th,Sa 10am-5pm; F,Su 11am-5pm. Free. http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=11
- Sharmanka, 14 King Street. Sharmanka is a Kinetic Gallery / Theatre. It consists of a number of strange machines created by the Russian artists Eduard Bersudsky. The machines perform stories and the light and sound during the performance adds to a really unique and amazing experience. Performances Thu, Sun 7pm or by individual appointment. 4 pounds, children under 16 free. http://www.sharmanka.com/
- People's Palace and Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green. Free entry. The People's Palace is a great folk museum, telling the history of Glasgow and its people, from various perspectives. The Winter Garden, adjacent, has a reasonable cafe. http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=9
- The Tenement House 145 Buccleuch Street, Garnethill. A National Trust for Scotland site, a middle class Glasgow Tenement House preserved in pretty much the way it was in the early 20th Century. http://www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10051&NavPage=10051&NavId=5117
Do
There are many club nights, concerts and festivals in Glasgow.
Glasgow also has the 3 biggest football stadia in Scotland, and you can easily purchase tickets for the two big clubs Rangers and Celtic. Be aware that getting tickets for the games between these two clubs though can be difficult.
The Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre (http://www.secc.co.uk/) hosts many events in Glasgow. http://www.secctickets.com/ sells tickets for these.
s1 Play (http://www.s1play.com/) lists what is on in Glasgow.
Learn
Glasgow has three universities:
- Glasgow University. Located in the west end of the city, this university has served Glasgow since 1451 and is the fourth oldest in the United Kingdom.
- Strathclyde University is situated in the north-east of the city centre and was originally founded in 1796 as Anderson's University.
- Glasgow Caledonian University, to the north of the city centre, is Glasgow's newest university.
Work
Jobs in Glasgow can be found through the government-run JobCentres. Additionally there are online agencies which can help in finding jobs in Glasgow:
Buy
- The Buchanan Galleries, Buchanan Street, is a large shopping mall in the heart of the city centre which has all the usual British high street stores.
- The St Enoch Centre is a large shopping centre facing onto Argyle Street in the centre of the city. It is claimed to be the largest glass-enclosed structure in Europe.
- Princes Square is an upmarket mall just off Buchanan Street in the city centre. Specialises in designer clothes shops, jewellery and audio equipment.
- The Argyle Arcade is a covered street housing Scotland's largest collection of jewellery shops. The arcade connects Argyle Street and Buchanan Street.
- De Courcy's Arcade is an unusual little shopping arcade with lots of second hand music and book shops and independent gift shops. Located just off Byres Road in the west end (subway: Hillhead)
Eat
Glasgow has won the title "Curry Capital of Britain" two years running and has a huge range of restaurants, Indian or otherwise. Find out more here (http://www.itchyglasgow.com/eating/) or here (http://www.s1play.com/restaurants/).
If you are looking for last minute deals on dining, 5pm.co.uk (http://www.5pm.co.uk/) lists many offers. It is possible to search for restaurants in Glasgow on the site. Note that this service requires you to register on the website.
Veggie
For fab veggie food, try GrassRoots on St George's Road, near Woodlands Road. Great veggie breakfasts from 10am, and other meals from midday till late. Lots of vegan options, too.
13th note, on King Street, looks like an anarchist squat when you walk in, but has a full bar, and serves very good veggie (mainly vegan) food. Try the vegan haggis, neeps and tatties, served with a pink-peppercorn cream sauce - fab.
Mono, over the road in King's Court, is similar, but with an exclusively vegan menu, and a shop.
Drink
Glasgow has a lot of places to drink. The Glasgow Guide (http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/) has a list of places that you can find. 'The World's Best Bars' (http://www.worldsbestbars.com/city/Glasgow/), a website reviewing drinking locations, has a list of good Glasgow bars.
If you are a fan of single malt whiskies, try the Pot Still, on Hope Street - a few blocks north of Central Station. The Pot Still stocks over 300 single malt whiskies (as well as other drinks, of course), and the staff really know their stuff. Its also an excellent example of a traditional British pub, with a great atmosphere.
Sleep
The Glasgow Guide has a section on hotels in Glasgow (http://www.glasgowguide.co.uk/hotels.html). There are many hotels ranging from the stylish new Radisson SAS, to the cheap and cheerful Travelodge.
Contact
Phone
Glasgow's area code (for landline numbers) is 0141 when dialed from within the UK or +44141 from outside the UK.
Internet
If you are travelling with a laptop then you will find broadband internet access in the rooms of most, but not all, medium to high end hotels. If this is important to you check before booking. Alternatively there are many wi-fi hot spots in and around Glasgow and WiFinder (http://www.wifinder.com/) provides a register.
There are also several places that offer web and other internet access if you are travelling without a laptop. These include:
- EasyInternetCafé (http://www.easyeverything.co.uk/map/gla.html) -- St Vincent Street (just west of Buchanan Street, five minutes' walk from Central or Queen Street stations). Every day, 8AM-9PM.
- th:at Internet Café (http://www.thatinternetcafe.net/) -- 8 Regent Street (one minute from Central station). Forty PCs. Wi-fi access. Every day, 8AM-9PM.
- Mortons Coffee Co. -- Byres Road. Offers free wi-fi internet access and two PCs.
Stay safe
Travelling in Glasgow is mainly safe, however commonsense rules still apply. The City Centre of Glasgow is safe, however do watch out at night time at the closing time of clubs, especially in Queen Street, as it can get a bit rowdy at times. There are some areas of Glasgow which might not be as safe compared to the rest. However tourist areas should be well policed.
The City Centre has many 'information officers' in red hats and jackets who should be able to assist you if needed.
When on public transport:
- Buses/Trains: Stay near the driver/conductor when getting on
- Taxis: Use the licenced black cabs, rather than private taxis, even though they might be slightly more expensive
Strathclyde Police, the local police force, has a Stay Safe while Travelling guide (http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/index.asp?locID=85&docID=-1).
Get out
External links
- Glasgow City Council (http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/)
- Strathclyde Passenger Transport webpage (http://www.spt.co.uk/)
