NEWS
EVENTS
Get ya self to Glasgow!
For years Glasgow has been a little in the shadows of its more famous Scottish neighbour Edinburgh but it should no longer be overlooked visiting north of the border. It feels authentic and isn't swarming with tourists as its sister city can sometimes be.This means rare tourist prices too!
It's cheap to get to Glasgow, with quick and easy flights in and out of Stansted with the ever reliable Ryanair.
The city itself is doable in a day but can be spread over the weekend. Start off in George Square right in the centre of the city. From there stroll to the modern art museum where outside the main entrance is the iconic statue.
Either stay to shop on Buchanan Street or make your way up the unique Argyle Street toward the impressive Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum set amongst Kelvingrove Park. The building is cool inside too, think Scotlands answer to the natural history museum.
Great Western Road runs through the heart of the trendy west end and is full of fancy coffee shops for a break. Byres Road is student central, pop into Oran Mor for lunch - an example of the increasingly secular society in the city. An old church now converted into a pub serving Scottish ales and great burgers!
As a result of fire damage sadly the famous Glasgow School of Art building is still under refurbishment until next year but the University of Glasgow's architecture is impressive, like a Scottish Oxford or Cambridge. or even Hogwarts. Situated on a hill it offers stunning views overlooking the city as well.
Finish the day with a visit to Glasgow Cathedral (again free) and watch the sunset over the city from the nearby Glasgow Necropolis.
Once the sun goes down, Merchant City is a lively part of Glasgow full of decent local pubs and bars.
There's more to Scotlands food scene than haggis and deep-fried Mars bars but when in Rome and all that. For students, Ashton Lane in the West End may be more up your street for a night out. If live music is your thing King Tuts Wah Wah Hut has an excellent reputation for intimate gigs with up and coming artists.
Fancy something bigger? O2 Academy on Sauchiehall street or SSE Hydro down by the river Clyde regularly have international acts playing.
With the beautiful outdoors Scotland has to offer such as Loch Lomond, the Highlands or the Cairngorms on the cities doorstep, Glasgow is a dream long weekend getaway. Take advantage of the free and mostly legal wild camping too!
So before you book Barcelona, Lisbon or Marseilles look to your neighbors first, you never know you might have to show your passport at the border in the future.
