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Glasgow [1] is the largest city in Scotland, and the third largest in the United Kingdom with a population of about 580,000 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.
In recent years, however, Glasgow has been awarded the European titles of City of Culture (1990), City of Architecture and Design (1999) and Capital of Sport (2003), and the city has transformed itself from being the once mighty powerhouse of industrial Britain to a centre for commerce, tourism, and culture. Glasgow will also be the host city for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
Visitors will find a revitalised city centre, the best shopping outside London without a doubt, 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.
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As befits a city that was at its richest through the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th, the centre of Glasgow has a fine legacy of Victorian and Edwardian buildings with their lavish interiors and spectacular carved stonework. Outside of the central area the main streets are lined with the legendary tenements - the city's trademark 2 or 3 storey residential buildings built from red or blonde sandstone which positively glow during the summer. The decline of Glasgow's economy during the mid to late 20th Century led to the mass construction of high-rise tower blocks and concrete housing estates during the 1960's and 1970s. The dramatic and striking Red Road Flats form the tallest residential property in Europe. Many 1970s office buildings in the centre have been cleared away by state-of-the-art glass structures as Glasgow's burgeoning financial services industry continues to grow.
Glasgow was also the home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the "Glasgow Four" a group of leading proponents of art nouveau architecture. Indeed, during his lifetime, Mackintosh was probably better regarded abroad than he was in his native Glasgow, even apparently inspiring Frank Lloyd Wright. However, recently resurrected as one of the cities most beloved sons. You will notice, along with quite a few of his buildings to see in the city, including his magnum opus, the Glasgow School of Art, many other knock-offs and impersonations exist.
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).[5]
- The imposing City Chambers (train: Glasgow Queen Street) in George Square was built in 1888 in Italian Renaissance style and is the headqurters of Glasgow City Council. Tours of the building are available daily, and visitors can see the magnificent marble staircases, lobbies, see the debating chamber and the lavish banqueting hall. More information from the city council website. [6]
- 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)[7]. 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.
- Glasgow University, University Avenue (subway: Hillhead).[8] Contains the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, including a reconstruction of Mackintosh's house. The exterior is fine in its own right; the current main University building is of the neo-gothic and dates from 1870, although the University as an institution is much older, being founded in 1451. The front of the building commands views over Kelvingrove Park and the western fringes of the city.
- The House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park (train: Dumbreck or subway: Ibrox).[9] Built in the 1990s to Mackintosh's original 1901 entry for a design competition. Opening times vary. £3.50.
- Scotland Street School, 225 Scotland Street (subway: Shields Road).[10] Charles Rennie Mackintosh's last major building - thoughtfully designed, with an excellent museum covering both Mackintosh and the changing faces of schools. Open daily. Free.
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).
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There are many club nights, concerts and festivals in Glasgow.
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Glasgow has won the title "Curry Capital of Britain" two years running and has a huge range of restaurants, Indian or otherwise. If you are looking for last minute deals on dining, 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. There are clusters of good restaurants in the West End and the Merchant City.
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