Greater Glasgow

Glasgow is situated on the banks of the River Clyde, to the west of the capital Edinburgh. The former industrial city is now an important cultural gathering place for the country. Glaswegians are known to be friendly people with a love for live music and soccer.You can explore Glasgow’s compact city center on foot. The public transport system is convenient too. Spacious George Square is a good starting point, with its dozen statues and stately buildings. If you are here on November 30, join the celebrations for Scotland’s patron saint St. Andrew. Another street festival is Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year’s Eve celebration.Rain is common in this part of the U.K., but Glasgow offers plenty of indoor attractions. Visit the Gothic Glasgow Cathedral or some of the 20 museums. The Hunterian, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and Gallery of Modern Art each offer a very different art and history experience.Visit The Lighthouse, a center for design, to learn about the work of Glasgow’s celebrated architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Younger visitors will enjoy interactive exhibits, such as a giant hamster wheel, at the Glasgow Science Centre.Glasgow Green on the riverfront is a great place on a sunny day. Photograph monuments, see social history and horticulture displays and watch the children climb in the play village at the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, the city’s oldest park.Nearby is Glasgow’s oldest pub, the Scotia Bar. Sample single malt whiskies or ales and ask the locals what the score is with the Rangers and Celtic: The city’s long-competing soccer teams are always good topics for animated tales. The soccer Hall of Fame is in The Hampden, Scotland’s national football stadium, which doubles as a live music venue. The more intimate King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut is Glasgow’s much-praised concert hall.If you want to venture outside the city limits, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, just one-hour’s drive from Glasgow, is a good place to sample the natural diversity of the Scottish highlands.