A City Tale
As I arrived in the city, quickly started to notice the amazing accent and unique buildings. Welcome to Glasgow!!!!
Glasgow has a well-known past as an industrial city due to its worldwide reputation for excellent shipbuilding. Running through the city and serving as a divider between the north and southside, is the river Clyde which used to be home to several dockyards.
In more recent years the city has been transformed and most of these ports have now disappeared and Glasgow has become an incredible quirky and trendy city. “People make Glasgow” was the city’s slogan during the 2014 Commonwealth games.
Glasgow these days is all about the culture and the vibe. It really does have something for everyone.
The city is full of art – conventional and unconventional. Make the most of the free entry to museums and galleries. If galleries are not your thing, Glasgow is filled with street art and murals, so take a long walk and enjoy.
Do not miss the statue of the Duke of Wellington in front of the Gallery of Modern Art, and you will notice Glasgow’s sense of humour. The statue has for years been parading a traffic cone on top of the duke’s head that keeps re-appearing despite the city council’s efforts to remove it.
Make sure to visit Glasgow Cathedral. It is the oldest building in the city and the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland.
Glasgow also has its fair share of beautiful buildings. Charles Rennie Mackintosh is a famous local architect, and you will find buildings designed by him across the city.
If the weather permits, do not miss a walk along The River Clyde and you can admire eclectic architecture like the BBC head office in Scotland, armadillo building and the riverside museum.
The music scene in Glasgow is thriving and has been for years. Make your way to the venue where rock band Oasis got signed or walk along Buchanan Street (also for a good shopping) to listen to the variety of local buskers. There are plenty of bars and clubs with daily shows.
After a long day of walking, be sure to treat yourself to a cocktail in one of Merchant City trendy bars. (Gin 71 makes great martinis)
Glasgow’s food scene has evolved and is far more than just chip chops, haggis suppers and other staples of Scottish cuisine. However, don’t’ shy away from trying Haggis. It is very tasty.
It is claimed that the popular Indian dish ‘Tikka Masala’ was invented in Glasgow.
For an evening meal, I would recommend Anchor Line restaurant which serves an amazing lamb.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Glasgow, my suggestions will be the Holiday Inn Express City Centre Riverside which is near the river Clyde and at a walking distance of the city centre. Plus, it is kind on the pocket.
My final thought, if you want to feel the real character of the Scottish people as well as their friendliness, Glasgow is the place to go. It is probably the most welcoming city in the world!
To get there: BA operates flights from London City Airport and London Heathrow. Trains run from London Euston to Glasgow Central.
To get around: The best mean of transport is the Glasgow Subway.
