Glasgow – the largest Scottish city with a rich industrial history. Unlike Edinbugh it is not the picture perfect pretty city to see. But don’t let that fool you: gritty Glasgow is known for it’s vivid street music with bands and pipe bags playing on every block and it is home to loads of impressive Victorian buildings and great museums. But most importantly – the city holds so many places to drink, eat, enjoy live music and just have fun! To most Scottish, Glasgow is where the true Scottish spirit can be found!
1. Visit the West End
There is so much to do and see in this section of the city. Its famous – and impressive – University campus is located here, and it comes with great perks. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to come here for my master’s degree myself as I can’t imagine a better place to study! The area is packed with nice lunch rooms and restaurants (such as Kember and Jones or the Butchershop). And with all the students around – the cosiest, bar packed street in the whole of Glasgow is near campus: Ashton Lane.
If you are looking for something more than bars, there is the brilliant Kelvingrove Museum (no entrance fee) to visit, and Kelvingrove Park or the Glasgow Botanic garden to stroll through.
2. Auchentoshan Distillery
Auchentoshan distillery stands in the outskirts of Glasgow (in Clydebank) and produces a lowland whisky. The distillery is easy to get to by train – followed by a short walk – and offers a great tour. If you’re lucky you may even taste their spirit right off the stills! Contradictory to most Scottish whiskies, Auchentoshan triple distills their spirit, which results in a smooth and gentle whisky. Slàinte!
For our other favourite whisky distillery tours, go here.
3. Glasgow Cathedral
Just outside the city center stands Glasgow Cathedral – an impressive example of medieval architecture with a history dating back more than 800 years. It is open to visitors most of the year, and offers a guided tour for those who wish to dive deeper into history. And if you feel like getting some fresh air – the Necropolis across the street offers one of the oddest highlights of the city, being home to one of the most significant cemeteries in Europe.
4. Celtic or Rangers FC? (Or Glasgow Warriors)
For sports fans out there (or people who just enjoy the vibe) the rivalry between Celtic and the Rangers guarantees a great atmosphere. The two football clubs are both firmly rooted in Glasgow and have dominated Scottish football for decades. Both teams play in impressive stadiums. Celtic Park can host over 60.000 fans, versus Rangers’ Ibrox Stadium nearing 51.000 souls. If you get a ticket to either stadium you will not be disappointed by the atmosphere. The only question left: which side will you pick?
If football is not your game, there is always rugby! Glasgow hosts one of only two professional rugby teams in Scotland. Their home ground – Scotstoun stadium – is no match for the great national playground at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield, but you will be able to see one of the best teams in Europe play!
5. Riverside Museum (of transport and travel)
The riverside museum is the best day out for a family with kids. It holds a large collection of historic trains, planes, cars, and ships – our sons cannot get enough of them! The interactive displays are guarantee for a great day out. Proclaimed the European Museum of the year in 2013, the stunning modern architecture creates a brilliant contrast to the tall ship outside and the impressive classic locomotives inside.
6. City center
A bit obvious and hard to miss, but the spirit of Glasgow can best be found in the city center. We will not focus on any single building or bar, for it is the collection that make the city. Seldom will you find a city packed with so many bars, pubs, and restaurants to just have fun! The main shopping street, Buchanan street, attracts loads of people and is crowded with street musicians. The most important tip: look up! Rows and rows of perfect Victorian building fronts can easily be missed if you stare at the ground to much.
