I recently spent a day in Glasgow. While a single day doesn’t do the city justice, here are some suggestions to make the most of your visit.
First, a quick shot of history.
The first settlements in the Glasgow area began popping up in the late 6th Century. The Glasgow city charter was first established in the 1170’s.
In researching this history, I liked the origin of the name. Glasgow’s Gaelic name, Glaschu, means “the green glen”, and the city is colloquially called “Dear Green Place”.
Glasgow is in the lowlands on the western side of Scotland on the shores of the river Clyde. The river Clyde is a river that opens into the Atlantic, which contributed to Glasgow’s growth as a shipping center.
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and has its history entrenched in heavy industry and manufacturing. For the longest time, Glasgow was the leading city in the UK for ship building and the construction of locomotives. Unfortunately, Glasgow saw a significant decline in these industries post WWII through the 60’s. With the decline, the Scots quit dredging the Clyde which forced vessels to dock further upstream to the Port of Glasgow, and the village of Greenock.
Present day Glasgow is a city on the uptrend. With 10 colleges and universities within a 10-mile radius of the city, there is a growing white-collar workforce.
Places to stay in Glasgow.
My experience was at the Hilton Glasgow – 1 William Street, Glasgow G3 8HT, UK.
This hotel is located on the west end of the city center and right across the street from the Anderston rail station. The OVO Hydro and SEC are within a mile.
The Hilton is truly a business-oriented hotel. The facility is very sleek and modern. The fitness center and pool are top notch, with fitness class offerings available. The staff interaction was positive.
Dining at the hotel is nice. The Whisky Mist Bar and Kitchen features a diverse menu, Scottish fare, steaks, pizza, etc. The bar has a great whisky selection. The breakfast offered at the hotel is good with a decent buffet selection.
Other suggestions:
Crowne Plaza Glasgow, an IHG Hotel Congress Rd, North West, Glasgow, G3 8QT, United Kingdom
Set along the River Clyde, the hotel is in walking distance to the Science Center and the OVO H
Carlton George Hotel – 44 West George Street, Glasgow City Centre, Glasgow, G2 1DH, United Kingdom
Located next to Glasgow Queen Street Rail Station and just 50 meters from Buchanan Street’s shops. There is an airport bus stop right in front of the hotel.
What to do in Glasgow
Hop On – Hop off bus.
With services in 163 cities around the globe, the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours provide a great way to see, and learn about, the points of interest in a city. They are a great way for you to prioritize where you want to visit if you have a limited time in a city. The Glasgow tour lasts about 90 minutes. There are tours with a live guide, or with a recorded script, pointing out the points of interest and giving a history of the city and each section of town.
Tickets are available as a 1- or 2-day ticket, and can be bought in advance or as you get on the bus.
NOTE: the ticket is by the day, so if you buy it in the afternoon, it ends at midnight. The 2-day ticket was only 1 GBP more than the 1-Day. If you only buy the 1-day but want to leverage the service the next day, you can present your receipt to the driver and pay the 1 GBP for the 2nd day. SO, KEEP YOUR RECEIPT!
We leveraged the Hop on, hop off bus to get the lay of the land, and to identify where we wanted to visit in the time we had.
Botanic Gardens.
Everyone wants to find a cost-effective way to entertain themselves on vacation. The Botanic Gardens are free to visit. The greenhouses are filled with an extensive collection of beautiful plants, trees, and flowers. The garden grounds are lovely and well maintained. The gardens are a great place to have a picnic, people watch, or spread out a blanket to read a book and catch some rays (if the weather cooperates).
University of Glasgow.
Not many folks think that visiting a college campus is a great idea on vacation. The University of Glasgow is a novel suggestion if you appreciate architecture. The historic buildings are worth the stroll around campus. Some have a bit of a Hogwarts-like vibe.
Hunterian Museum
The Hunterian Museum is located on the University campus and was established in 1807. The collection includes Roman artifacts from the Antonine Wall. There is a substantial collection of natural and life science artefacts and scientific instruments used by James Watt, Joseph Lister and Lord Kelvin.
The life science collection is impressive. This collection featured sample jars containing every possible body part and organ, with some showing the impact of ailments and deformities. It was fascinating and macabre at the same time. I do recommend that you check it out. That said, I could not bring myself to post any pictures of body part in jars.
Entertainment in Glasgow
Shopping is often a key form of entertainment while on vacation. Buchanan Street is the main avenue for high end shops. For more moderate shopping options, Sauchiehall street and Argyle Street are your best options. If you are looking for watches and jewelry, and want an experience, the Argyle Arcade is an interesting stop. Founded in 1827, the Arcade is located at Princes Square and Buchanan Street.
OVO Hydro
The OVO Hydro is a concert hall on the west end of town that hosts musical performances across all genres.
The Finnieston crane is located at the OVO-Hydro complex. This crane is a memorial to Glasgow’s shipping and manufacturing heritage and considered the international symbol of Glasgow.
I have recommended in my other posts to investigate what is going on in the towns you visit. The impetus for my trip to Glasgow was to attend the Hollywood Vampires concert at the Hydro. If you are planning a trip, check out what’s going on at the Hydro. You might be lucky to catch a great show.
What else to do:
Pub scene
Simply said, Glasgow has a lot of pubs worth investigating.
Tennent Caledonian Brewery
Tennents Brewery was established in 1871. The brewery has several tour options that run from 15 GBP/person up to a VIP experience at 290 GBP/person. The website also offers an accessible tour for guests that have special mobility needs.
Purchase tickets at the Tennents Website
Glasgow Cathedral (St. Mungo’s)
Built between 1136 and 1484 AD, the Cathedral is Scotland’s largest place of worship.
Day tours
Whether you want to schedule tours in Glasgow or branch out to historical or geographic sites around Scotland. If you prefer a more adult adventure to discover more about Scotch Whisky, there are distillery tours to satisfy.
Viator offers a wide selection of tours out of Glasgow.
Getting to Glasgow
Air – Glasgow International Airport is the primary airport supporting the city and has many international flights to and from the US and Europe.
The Airport website indicates that the “Express service 500,” operated by First Glasgow, is the official bus service connecting the airport and the city center. The trip takes about 15 minutes.
Rail – There are two main train stations in the city, both are in the heart of the city only a few blocks away from each other. Glasgow Central Station serves lines that travel south of the city and into the rest of the UK. The Queen Street Station serves lines that cover the rest of Scotland to the north and the East-West destinations.
Glasgow has so much more to see than you can squeeze into a single day. I hope this offers some ideas for you to take advantage of should your travels take you there.
Travel well, pursue experiences!
O.M.I.A.H.