Glasgow Things to Do Tips by scotlandscotour Top 5 Page for this destination

All Glasgow Museums are FREE Museums Review

You will need lots of energy to see them all.

Its very impressive - Look:

The Burrell Collection.
Fossil Grove.
Gallery of Modern Art.
Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery.
Martyr's School.
McLellan Galleries.
Museum of Transport.
People's Palace & Winter Gardens.
Pollock House.
Provand's Lordship.
Scotland Street School Museum.
St Mungos Museum of Religious Life & Art.

phew! I'm not planning to tell you about all these - except to say, they are free admission and there must be something for everyone!

For all the information, go to the brilliant website below, but don't forget my other tips ;-)

Address: Glasgow

Directions: Various.

Website: http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/index.cfm

Go GOMA - Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art Review

Thought provoking. Good to look at from the outside, as well as inside. An inspiring place to be.

Opened in 1996, and second only to London, the Gallery mixes modern with neo-classical architecture.

Famous for the statue of The Duke of Wellington outside, forever wearing an orange traffic cone (see my other picture for a good close up!) and sometimes other decoration, the site is a must see, for all its social commentary, the traffic cone, the buildings, the exhibits and the people.

Rooftop cafe. Also has a cafe with internet access and library, in the basement.

Address: Queen Street

Directions: Exchange Square - Queen Street, just south of George Square and Queen Street railway station.

3 minute walk east from Central Station, via Buchanan Street.

Other Contact: www.multimap.co.uk

Website: http://www.glasgowmuseums.com/venue/index.cfm?venueid=3

Gardens - Go Enjoy The Botanical Gardens, West End Byres Rd/West End Review

It is almost a relief to find spaces like the Botanical Gardens, having spent a morning or two walking the streets, museums and shops.

Take a picnic (there is a good supermarket nearby on Byers Road) and relax!!!

Free to go in, and is a sea of tranquility in a city of noise.

Address: Great Western Road / Byers Road

Directions: West End / Kelvingrove / Hillhead

Arty, Trendy West End - Worth Nosing Around! Byres Rd/West End Review

To get the flavour of Glasgow, you really should include the West End, and by that I mean Byers Road and its side roads, the Botanic Gardens and BBC Scotland, Ashton Lane and the University around Hillhead.

This photo shows the entrance to a tiny lane - Ruthven Lane - opposite Hillhead Underground Station. Its not obvious, despite guidebooks fleshing it out to be more than it is - but, it is never the less worth having a look, just to see a side of glasgow different to the Football / Bars / Chip Shops image that pervades.

I hope you can read the individual signs - view full size, if possible.

Address: Ruthven Lane, off Byers Road, West End, Glasgow

Directions: Hillhead - West End

Cobbled Streets of Glasgow - Great Food Too! Byres Rd/West End Review

This hidden away secret of Glasgow is, in my mind, a Must See.

With your back to Hillhead Underground station, on Byers Road in the West End, turn left then left again, down a rather uninspiring back street, called Ashton Lane. Around the corner you'll see this.

Busy at night, and very popular, with good bars and food, it has a friendly, lively atmosphere.

Address: Ashton Lane, of Byers Road, West End, Glasgow.

Directions: West End

See map from web link below ;-)

Website: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=257000&Y=667500&width=700&height=400&client=public&gride=259174.95476465&gridn=665740.295311887&srec=0&coords

Look For The Gates - Free Entry to Peaceful Garden Byres Rd/West End Review

As in my previous tip, head for the Botanical Gardens to rejuvinate yourself after a morning of traffic, noise, bussle and buildings.

At the top of Byers Road, where it meets the Great Western Road, you'll see opposite these black gates. Rush to them like a caravan train to an oasis!

The West End is well worth spending half a day round, combining with exploring the University area. Of course, if you stay at Bunkums Backpackers or one of many hotels here, you'll be close by.

Address: West End

Directions: Hillhead Underground Station.

Come out of station onto main street (Byers) and turn right, walk 2 minutes to junction, and cross over!

Beautiful Tranquility in the City - Gardens Byres Rd/West End Review

In Glasgow I soon tire of the noise, fumes and traffic, the blinding light off concrete and the relentless neon, shop signs and advertising - so then I head for calm and tranquility:

Go to the Botanical Gardens, whilst out in the West End. At the northern end of Byers Road is a messy road junction with the Great Western Road, and then opposite is a very unassuming gate into a wonderful garden and peaceful, soothing colours. Just 10 minutes there will rejuvinate you.

Good places to eat and shop in the west end too.

Address: West End

Directions: Walk out via the University and Kelvingrove Park, or from the Youth Hostel on Park Terrace (only 10 minutes). Or, take a bus out on the Great Western Rd (not nice).

Sneaky free car parking in the Supermarket - if you're cheaky, but mind the attendant!

Kelvingrove is Closed for Major Refurbishment 2004 Kelvingrove Review

I'm sorry, but Kelvingrove is Closed for a few years - they are spending milliions of pounds on it, with a total refurbishment - but for now, alas, it is closed.

However, if you are in Glasgow, I would still very much recommend you walk out this way, through the Kelvingrove Gardens, then turn right (north) over the bridge and pass the University with its amazingly beautiful stone architecture (like Edinburgh Old Town), and then over to the West End and the Botanical Gardens. Beautiful.

Directions: West End

Glasgow Film Theatre - Go While You Got A Chance

Only a very few chances to see unusual, special films when in Scotland, so if you are near Glasgow go to the GFT.

Good cafe bar, lovely decor, nice ambiance and unusual films.

Evening parking just to the south of Sauchiehall Street is very convenient. GFT is very central, with good pubs nearby. Easy to walk to.

Directions: GFT - just off Sauchiehall Street

Escape the Traffic - in George Square and Look Up! George Square Review

Away from the traffic, you can look up and admire the beautiful architecture of Glasgow's grand buildings, and nowhere is better to do this than George Square.

Its also got lots of information points (see picture), statues and tourist guides, and seats to rest on. Many times in the year it hosts events (like ice skating in winter).

Once you have found George Square and Sauchiehall Street, you can find your way around the centre faily easily. On its north side is the Queens Street train Station (for trains north and east) and Buchanan Street (leading to the coach station). Most of interest, is south and west of the Square.

Address: George Square