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This project was born from work, humility and experience in order to make people who visit Scotland feel part of its history and its legends.

If you would like an experience tailored to you, we offer personalized packages with a variety of options. You can choose the duration of the tour, focus on specific aspects of the city’s history, and explore the locations that are of interest to you.

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**Glasgow** is currently one of the most visited cities in the United Kingdom and not many decades ago it was one of the most important cities of the Industrial Revolution, although today only remnants of that past remain.


Glasgow catedral.jpg

Glasgow

Guide tours and free tours in Glasgow

## 1\. For its history and industrial past

The **River Clyde** has been the raison d'être of this city since ancient times, as it was the gateway to the Atlantic Ocean. The area is believed to have been settled since the Bronze Age, thanks to the natural space it offered for fishing and hunting.

Although **[Glasgow](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-glasgow)** was founded in the 6th century, it was not named a Royal Burgh until 1611. Its commercial port was of little importance until the 18th century, and the arrival of trade with the Americas in sugar, tobacco, cotton, linen and other important commodities of the time.

The Scottish Enlightenment produced great minds, but it was none other than **James Watt** whose improvement of the steam engine sparked the **Industrial Revolution**. It was the basis of the locomotive and, therefore, of the railway and the consequent development of communications that led to a spiral of progress in which we still seem to be involved today.

![Glasgow city.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_city_feab1f20d7.jpg)
_The River Clyde. Photography: Adam Marikar_

## 2\. For its museums

Glasgow offers a wide range of culture, with **more than 20 museums** and galleries of all kinds; **you won't get bored in 2 days**. From the classic museum to a motoring museum on the banks of the River Clyde, to one of the most important modern art galleries in Scotland.

Between all its museums there are more than 1.5 million objects on display, some by artists as important as Van Gogh, Monet or Degas. On second thoughts, you might need more than 2 days to see them all.

![Glasgow Museums.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Museums_47296d0bd8.jpg)
_Kelvingrove Museum_



## 3\. Because it's a UNESCO City of Music

From festivals to small concerts, **Glasgow** has an impressive music culture. You'll find concerts every day of the year: bagpipes, jazz, funk, electronica and a whole host of other musical styles - it's a city that makes a lot of noise.

The **SSE HYDRO** is one of the largest concert venues in the world, and has hosted performances from **Paul McCartney, Backstreet Boys, Bruno Mars, Arctic Monkeys, Prince, Ed Sheeran, to Elton John and Madonna**.

![Glasgow HyDRo.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Hy_D_Ro_314dc1da30.jpg)
_<center>The SSE Hydro</center>_


**Glasgow** is also the birthplace of bands such as Travis and Franz Ferdinand. Before you visit Glasgow, I recommend you check this website to see if there are any concerts or festivals that you like.

|Tours| 
|---|
|Book now [Glasgow Free Walking Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow/glasgow-free-tour)|


## 4\. For its green spaces

With **more than 90 parks**, Glaswegians can boast about their green spaces, where you can play golf, or attend concerts and festivals.

**One of the largest is Glasgow Green**, a 55-hectare park relatively close to the historic centre. Also quite large is the 34-hectare Kelvingrove, next to which you can find the museum of the same name and the University of Glasgow. And another one I would like to highlight is the Botanic Garden, which is a bit more secluded, but if you visit the city outside the winter months it is a recommended visit.

![Glasgow Green.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Green_99392d6a3d.jpg)
_Glasgow Green_


## 5\. For its shops

With just **over 1,500 shops spread across the city,** **Glasgow** is a shopper's paradise, second only to London in this respect. You'll find the most exclusive brands as well as those that are not quite as exclusive.

The main street for clothes shopping is Buchanan Street and it is a favourite shopping street not only for locals, but also for people from the surrounding towns and even Edinburghers. I hope you don't get lost in the fitting rooms and have time to visit the city.

![Buchanan Street Glasgow.jpg](/uploads/Buchanan_Street_Glasgow_565b5750d2.jpg)
_Buchanan Street_

## 6\. For the football

Although England invented football, **the first professional football player was Scottish and born in Glasgow**, by the name of Fergus Suter. Netflix recently released a miniseries telling his story: "The English game".

Glasgow has a great football culture with its two big football clubs and bitter rivals: **Celtic, a Catholic team**, and **Rangers, a Protestant team**. If you get the chance to visit the city on match day, I recommend you try to get a ticket to see it at the stadium, the fans are a pure spectacle, especially at Celtic's grounds.

![Glasgow Futbol.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Futbol_630f1b931f.jpg)
_<center>Football logos. Celtic and Rangers FC</center>_



**Football, museums, parks, shops, history... I think these are more than enough reasons to give this great city a chance. The city with the friendliest people in the UK, but a horrible Scottish accent.**

Glasglow PPL.jpg

6 reasons to visit Glasgow

![Glasgow lloviend.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow\_lloviend\_7903cd3cb3.jpg)

_<center>A beautiful spring day</center>_

I should also add that Glasgow is a windy city, so bringing an umbrella is not the best way to protect yourself against the rain; I always recommend bringing [**waterproof clothing**](https://www.amazon.es/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?k=ropa+waterproof&__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=VSGZ1ZPPQ5OF&sprefix=ropa+water,apparel,205&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_10&linkCode=ll2&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=73374aa15fd34e5c34d97d1bf3b2b620&language=es_ES)!

## What's the weather like in Glasgow?

The **temperature** here is actually one of the "warmest" in all of **Scotland**, classified as an **oceanic climate**, due to the currents that travel over from the **Gulf of Mexico**. For this reason, **the average temperature in winter is 5ºC**; although that doesn’t mean the thermometers won’t dip below 0ºC some days! In summer the average temperature is around 20ºC, but it can occasionally reach 27ºC.

Also, most days are cloudy in this city, so a sunny day is indeed a gift. If this happens, don’t waste it! Do all the outdoor activities or tours you can, since it will surely rain the following day.

The coldest months are December and January, with very humid days and few hours of daylight. I don't want to discourage anyone from [​​visiting **Glasgow**](https://somosescocia.com/blog/que-ver-en-glasgow), but I have to tell the truth even if it hurts! However, the beautiful thing about visiting in December is getting to see the Christmas market in **George Square** (although it didn’t happen in 2020 due to **COVID-19**).

The warmest months are July and August, although the days can still vary a lot in temperature. One day it could be 25ºC with incredible sun and the next it will be 15ºC, cloudy and raining... seriously, always bring your waterproof clothing!

![Glasgow tiempo.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow\_tiempo\_531cecd8c9.jpg)

_<center>Glasgow, Renfrew Street</center>_

|Tours|
|---|
|Book our [Glasgow Free Walking Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow/glasgow-free-tour)|

## Seasonal weather in Glasgow

### Winter

Depending on the month, temperatures can range from **-14ºC to 17ºC**. It’s not always that dramatic of course, so you should always check the weather forecast before visiting **Glasgow**.

### Spring

During this season, if you visit around April you can expect anything **between -4ºC to 24ºC**. These are the historical minimum and maximum temperatures seen in April, but the usual average is around 9ºC.

In May it rises to an average of 11ºC, and in June to an average of 14ºC.

### Summer

Don't let the season fool you, you will see cold and rainy weather on many days during these months. Even in July, the hottest month, **the average temperature is only around 16ºC**. **For me, who's been in the UK** for 11 years, this is a day for wearing shorts and a T-shirt; depending on which country you come from, this could feel pretty cold!

![Glasgow city.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow\_city\_1cf8474824.jpg)

_<center>Clyde river</center>_

### Autumn

This is one of my favourite seasons of the year, with those coppery and ochre colours that flood the parks and streets of **Glasgow**, as the leaves fall from the trees.

Here, humorously, we start saying **"Winter is coming"** from August onwards since the temperatures begin to drop again in September. October and November continue to get colder, with average temperatures ranging from 6ºC to 9ºC.

In December 1995, the country’s historical lowest temperature was registered at -19.9ºC; the historical highest was registered in June 2018 at 31.9ºC. However, as I say, these are very extreme temperatures and it is not usual for this to happen!

![Glasgow kelvingrove.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow\_kelvingrove\_dbcfa3c465.jpg)

_<center>Kelvingrove museum</center>_

So, I think after all of that, you are now ready to [visit **Glasgow**](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-glasgow), whether in the cold winter or the less cold summer, with your waterproof clothing and comfortable, waterproof walking shoes.


Glasgow city.jpg

Weather in Glasgow

We will introduce you to the history of this medieval city, which is more than 3000 years old. We will walk through its most picturesque streets, such as the Royal Mile, Chambers Street or Victoria Street. Learn about the alleys where people lived in the 17th century. We will tell you how they died during the Black Death and about the beaked doctors who tried to cure them. Exciting stories await you!


Royal_mile_blog.jpg

Edinburgh

Best Tours in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Walking Tours

## History

The **origin** of this spirit is lost in antiquity. It is known that the Celtic people of Ireland brought distilling to **Ireland** in the 5th century. The first distillers, wherever they were based, made spirits that were too strong to drink, so honey was added to sweeten them, as well as spices and other ingredients, making the first whiskies more like liqueurs.

The origin of **the word whisky** itself is also unclear. In the 17th century it was called strong water (English), usquebaugh or uisge beatha (Gaelic) or aqua vitae (Latin), the latter being popular with whisky lovers as it means **'water of life'**. Whatever the origin, the word whisky did not gain official recognition until 1755 with its entry in the dictionary.

For centuries, whisky was a local drink. In the **Highlands** it was made in small stills and in the **Lowlands** large quantities were produced, mainly for export to England. Although the English would spoil it by re-distilling it with a vegetable product to make Gin – they will do anything to avoid accepting that **Scotch whisky** is good.

Between the 18th and 19th century, **whisky** was "legalised", i.e. an attempt was made to have fiscal control over the distilleries, which led to the birth of underground distilleries. In the end, the state legalised the use of small stills, thus ushering in the modern **Scotch** **whisky** industry.

In addition, in the 19th century, the popularity of whisky grew due to the invention of **Coffey stills**, or **continuous distillation**, which made whisky smoother and less intense. But the biggest uptick in its popularity was experienced thanks to phylloxera, an aphid that destroyed grape harvests in France, which reduced wine and cognac production and left people with no choice but to drink whisky.

And in the 20th century, oak casks that had previously held **Sherry** or **Bourbon** began to be used to mature the distillate, giving these spirits aroma, colour, flavour and character, but also thanks to the use of only water, barley and yeast, this **Liquid Gold** came to life.

Although **Scotch whisky** is the most popular whisky in the world (wherever I go and whenever I travel, I always find a piece of **Scotland** in the bars of the world), it cannot be said to be the best. For several decades now, different countries around the world have been specialising in the **distillation** of this drink, but it is the Japanese who take the lead in the **[World Whisky Awards](https://www.worldwhiskiesawards.com/)**. Japanese whiskies have been sweeping the board in recent years, although Canada, New Zealand, the United States and even India are achieving great quality in their distillates. In 2019, whiskies from these cold lands did not win in any category, but let's hope they receive more in the coming years, as I wouldn't trade Scotch whisky for that of any other country.

## Whisky Regions

Whisky distilling **regions**: **Islay**, **Lowlands**, **Highlands** and **Campbeltown**. These are the generic ones, as within the Highlands we have **Speyside** and Islands. The regions just help us to label the whisky, as nowadays a typical **smoky whisky** from the Islay region can also be made in the Highlands, for example.

![Regiones del whisky.jpg](/uploads/Regiones_del_whisky_2a3b4981cc.jpg)

## Types of whisky

Within the regions, there are also different types of whisky. I will summarise very briefly what they are:

### Single Malt

This is **single malt whisky**. “Malt” refers to the process of the germination of the grain: malting. "Single" refers to the origin of the whisky, a single distillery. The grain used for this whisky is barley, no other grain can be used. This whisky can be blended with another malt, either of the same or a different age, but they must be from the same distillery. It is the **most popular whisky** in Scotland. My favourites are the smoky ones.

### Single Grain

This would be whisky from **a single grain**. This can be barley, rye, corn or wheat, or unmalted grain. It is not very well known and is usually used to make blended whisky. I have never tried it, although I have a bottle of this type, a Clan Denny 21-year-old, which I hope to open soon.

![Clan Denny 21.jpg](/uploads/Clan_Denny_21_be727538a2.jpg)

### Blends

This is **blended whisky**. It is obtained by blending different whiskies, it must have at least one Single Grain and one Single Malt, but it can have many more. It is usually a very popular whisky. They are the most typical, as whiskies such as **[Ballantines](https://amzn.to/3ycUbZG)** or **[Johnnie Walker](https://amzn.to/3gIQ4Jd)** are of this type.

#### Blended Grain

This is one of the **rarest whiskies on the market**. To produce this type of whisky, you have to combine two or more Single Grains. I can say from my personal experience that the most famous Blended Grain whisky. [Compass Box Hedonism](https://amzn.to/3WoGLnN), does not disappoint, and is very good value for money.

#### Blended Malt

Another **rare** whisky. These whiskies are produced by blending two or more Single Malts from different distilleries. The most popular is **[Monkey Shoulder](https://amzn.to/3ycUbZG)**, but there are also lesser-known whiskies such as Glencoe MacDonald's 8-year-old with Cask Strength 58%. You can find them, as well as all other Blended Grains, at a good price.

![Glencoe MacDonald - 8 year old Whisky.jpg](/uploads/Glencoe_Mac_Donald_8_year_old_Whisky_fc16b59c64.jpg)

I would like to clarify one thing: **BOURBON IS NOT WHISKY**. What a pleasure it is to get that off my chest. Distillation was brought to the United States in the 18th century by Scottish and Irish settlers. Although the **origin of Bourbon** is not well documented, it is known that it began to be distilled in the same century that distillation arrived.

Experts have always included this drink in different types of whiskies, because the process to distil this spirit is the same as any other whisky, but (of course there is a but) the grain used has to be at least 51% corn, sometimes up to 70% or 80%, the rest being made up of different cereals. **Bourbon** also has no minimum ageing period, so products that have been matured as short as three months can be sold as Bourbon (any Bourbon aged less than 4 years has to be indicated on the label). In addition, this beverage has to be produced in the **United States**.

This is only a general overview of this drink, as there can be many variants of it. The most famous ones are **[Jim Beam](https://amzn.to/34W4yCy)**, **[Wild Turkey](https://amzn.to/3gL7JA0)** or **[Jack Daniels](https://amzn.to/3LrPiya)**.

If you want to immerse yourself more in the wonderful **world of whisky**, I recommend the book “**[Illustrated Atlas of Whisky](https://www.amazon.es/gp/product/846771607X?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=52610289cfc25c9d163a7749d9c2a590&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**”, by Michael Jackson (not the singer). It costs about 15€ and contains a lot of information to help you understand this drink and its origins.

Now comes the best part; it's time to decide what to order in the pub! And with more than 3,000 varieties, whisky is probably the most complicated drink to choose. Anywhere you go you can ask for "a dram of whisky, please", to which the bartender will reply "Which one, pal? So here are a few recommendations to make your choice easier:

## Lowlands

**[Glenkinchie 12](https://amzn.to/34W4yCy)**. Sweet and smooth, the whisky of Edinburgh.

**[Auchentoshan Heartwood](https://www.amazon.es/Auchentoshan-Whisky-Three-Wood-700/dp/B001LLUPIY?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=PSAM256Z5419&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Lx0eozZtS5R2Y4ykIhpwt0FAODszH5uI0CsfjpOZhdxvwDDg4wZAzJvqJ8PmNNtRN2njyQUhTHaa_lbjeCbawCdsQ3VX-M7knd4FfgvPzFCZDa9YBKq4v5VctT4llylgBwyumwLpgxJ47hySJhjWmSdI35LmLYV9wqf1FG08hYUSJLyS4dYT9sYZZBS57d-IH7Gl0aUjk9VpVdDUy7PLVcalG-_IhtTyH4LT80B27iQsL4qNVlbqWgooOgSu8i0UmHNqiv0q5NhrRzikG172lcco9R2yJL7nQ8CyyjGy2UA.0V6NlJGwogyRCc6QdrSl8MK6Kx0g4gMFQA_n4-T0_UE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Auchentoshan+Heartwood+whisky&qid=1714676433&sprefix=auchentoshan+heartwood+whisky%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=3afbbcd028c478c078a76f95c5a7e15c&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. Matured in bourbon and sherry casks.

## Highlands

**[Glengoyne 12](https://www.amazon.es/GLENGOYNE-24152-Glengoyne-12-A%C3%B1os/dp/B00IXL9MGG?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=2A95RVKRKAPXP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.k0rQ_I9tUvkI4-VJcv1dXo4txcS5FlV49NbtvySow5YFUjFVwiouWyaUkV4jtCIJB8F44KVlwbzqAlsRgAobGmNeHY3JO8yi8XZPJ7hD_hy9mEnkzvmN78_mBGTxM1aBdTkPI3fWMvLiIEwD_T4RPL4LOf1xQi3Q7ar_a-udDTT87ZUK68Xgj2ChV6vts5lF6Mk0QtqBUt8kC5MGXXTC8hhY7a2_GcT3F3PGSqGdQi_hNxspF2UZaABM112YO3v6Eb0DdF6H8x_8M9MhP9Ok-kXtajPC5wl87CVoG5vPb_s.JutCa_bFzhUkiLUXzswpFXaHM5rScVifDdRAiwQOw34&dib_tag=se&keywords=Glengoyne+12&qid=1714676525&s=grocery&sprefix=glengoyne+12%2Cgrocery%2C129&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=698916cf2eeccdfb48f3e273f1f80cd1&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. Whisky that is very good value for money.

**[Ardmore](https://www.amazon.es/Ardmore-Legacy-70-L/dp/B00OGMTNT2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=39GGVYXTXOS93&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dBaX_Ik3tBqbsA-JC2gUbtKRrg2DSdVc8Jl1dmsFiBxUXTwa9UPTxlY7RJjULj18P3roiZoUY3g2aXF8iT9BmFcDBgZ93wKYVoSG3qvpHYy8OXPL4YBuF4P5PLJEBXtQ1h2OIPwhxJCYqTII-MrHtw.vlkXo8hLoC2JSu5N5aU5lkI5tk5GARFyQrtb5cPsRrY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Ardmore&qid=1714676551&s=grocery&sprefix=ardmore%2Cgrocery%2C87&sr=1-2&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=772f0fd25fcf8f8550286c3838b60e2a&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. From the region of Aberdeenshire comes this whisky, and it does not disappoint.

**[Highland Park 12](https://www.amazon.es/Highland-Park-Whisky-escoc%C3%A9s-paquete/dp/B01BP5O0JU?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=1GI4MOUJII5CE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K2osXIy5pEni53CFzbsKk58BcK5fw3QcfvLZO-mVBUnMNfnrp0ireh2vHH0LBs7JS2DggiaEwl44Qrt9d5jEUsTpdpsrQ7KMs1SufhEkagzXgOSJG3kZfK7go4mDJ0BVA6S4Tuk9Ht4kEHbCTF_MSd7vF6hddLAbnJzOJKZ_EBQjsP5LR2C_O5-zPEiJwE0yWhITd_1QVsTvbBOQoTN2yltBj_JIJuD4bKnPfeXPOZhGMQm2Ob0lEwHI8-2owr7Oo0v5biEW5DXtQyOtSSsirIHD1QS7LIe7HBboxvFpfTs.Y01qxH-wOZofuzODgBEqGmuU8IzsOd0X1ColSTkdbno&dib_tag=se&keywords=Highland+Park+12&qid=1714676595&s=grocery&sprefix=highland+park+12%2Cgrocery%2C88&sr=1-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=e18014ccb397d262032d990d79fa6f51&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. From the remote Orkney Islands, a favourite of the Scottish people.

**[Old Pulteney 12](https://www.amazon.es/Ardmore-Legacy-70-L/dp/B00OGMTNT2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=39GGVYXTXOS93&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dBaX_Ik3tBqbsA-JC2gUbtKRrg2DSdVc8Jl1dmsFiBxUXTwa9UPTxlY7RJjULj18P3roiZoUY3g2aXF8iT9BmFcDBgZ93wKYVoSG3qvpHYy8OXPL4YBuF4P5PLJEBXtQ1h2OIPwhxJCYqTII-MrHtw.vlkXo8hLoC2JSu5N5aU5lkI5tk5GARFyQrtb5cPsRrY&dib_tag=se&keywords=Ardmore&qid=1714676551&s=grocery&sprefix=ardmore%2Cgrocery%2C87&sr=1-2&th=1&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=772f0fd25fcf8f8550286c3838b60e2a&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. Possibly one of the finest whiskies in the Highlands.

**[BenRomach 10](https://www.amazon.es/Highland-Park-Whisky-escoc%C3%A9s-paquete/dp/B01BP5O0JU?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=1GI4MOUJII5CE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K2osXIy5pEni53CFzbsKk58BcK5fw3QcfvLZO-mVBUnMNfnrp0ireh2vHH0LBs7JS2DggiaEwl44Qrt9d5jEUsTpdpsrQ7KMs1SufhEkagzXgOSJG3kZfK7go4mDJ0BVA6S4Tuk9Ht4kEHbCTF_MSd7vF6hddLAbnJzOJKZ_EBQjsP5LR2C_O5-zPEiJwE0yWhITd_1QVsTvbBOQoTN2yltBj_JIJuD4bKnPfeXPOZhGMQm2Ob0lEwHI8-2owr7Oo0v5biEW5DXtQyOtSSsirIHD1QS7LIe7HBboxvFpfTs.Y01qxH-wOZofuzODgBEqGmuU8IzsOd0X1ColSTkdbno&dib_tag=se&keywords=Highland+Park+12&qid=1714676595&s=grocery&sprefix=highland+park+12%2Cgrocery%2C88&sr=1-3&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=e18014ccb397d262032d990d79fa6f51&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. One of the best whiskies of recent years at an affordable price.

## Campbeltown

**Springbank 10**. A quality whisky, and somewhat rare to find.

## Islay

**[Laphroaig 10](https://www.amazon.es/Laphroaig-Whisky-Islay-Single-Malt/dp/B001GLG7C2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=30T7DCCTIHRYB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Z6viJphi2Doat9X4mUu-S2WA-IZWgvSGNh6omv2ui4fDhzN0gzQKq1MSJ2Mx0K-BITb_o4q8hJMeb9HmRe8hA5NycGcMrW27Bhnz6RTQKypMOWitvq2pPlOeKpYruS9fW3pMsgxTPkhavGbXDyATwo3KXkyHV2koIcjmY9IzoDfGQINyrGCZmJT9ziF-Yp0_OuPIh0UeofdQJgusvGZqxsHQvn1-lMj_-7FJM8R5uNCv4z5qfYBZuCTG79B9WeE7qxZGi1e4O8V4TNoW_qVs0HYUNfYYHl9MTU12jXiYaEI.sgDCqHOOoCug84e3Y0qmzCqQFlq4UuHlbjfJgHv25iM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Laphroaig+10&qid=1714676687&s=grocery&sprefix=laphroaig+10%2Cgrocery%2C101&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=054810932e507eab24e27a5bfd51706b&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. Once described as "a hospital on fire". Smoky whisky. If you like it, you'll fall in love with it. For the brave.

**[Kilchoman](https://www.amazon.es/Laphroaig-Whisky-Islay-Single-Malt/dp/B001GLG7C2?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=30T7DCCTIHRYB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Z6viJphi2Doat9X4mUu-S2WA-IZWgvSGNh6omv2ui4fDhzN0gzQKq1MSJ2Mx0K-BITb_o4q8hJMeb9HmRe8hA5NycGcMrW27Bhnz6RTQKypMOWitvq2pPlOeKpYruS9fW3pMsgxTPkhavGbXDyATwo3KXkyHV2koIcjmY9IzoDfGQINyrGCZmJT9ziF-Yp0_OuPIh0UeofdQJgusvGZqxsHQvn1-lMj_-7FJM8R5uNCv4z5qfYBZuCTG79B9WeE7qxZGi1e4O8V4TNoW_qVs0HYUNfYYHl9MTU12jXiYaEI.sgDCqHOOoCug84e3Y0qmzCqQFlq4UuHlbjfJgHv25iM&dib_tag=se&keywords=Laphroaig+10&qid=1714676687&s=grocery&sprefix=laphroaig+10%2Cgrocery%2C101&sr=1-4&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=054810932e507eab24e27a5bfd51706b&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. I always have a bottle at home. Islay's only independent distillery.

**[Caol Ila 12](https://www.amazon.es/Whisky-Kilchoman-Machir-Bay-70/dp/B07HTPVZKK?__mk_es_ES=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=EXX5ZNKV66CY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IR6YhqpTOlwnS4J4Mfr0zEiQuWgbMqbIxcEBydxGN1LR70Wdsh6J6Xd7YeduMSHNaYMzvlMnyHN8qoftnW6M_HwSo9SJ5PFomuN-1od2PCg.AHFTS6BGpGC3TKYkfztyyY0OYF5uUecCWCdTrCMrf_Q&dib_tag=se&keywords=Kilchoman&qid=1714676708&s=grocery&sprefix=kilchoman%2Cgrocery%2C92&sr=1-2&linkCode=ll1&tag=carlospaz-21&linkId=6f1f07fa28553c72339cc411cff5ac38&language=es_ES&ref_=as_li_ss_tl)**. This was the beginning of my relationship with smoky whiskies and has been my favourite ever since.

## Blended

**Great King Street Artist's Edition**. One of my favourites, a quality gift for someone who likes whisky. Easy to drink, and with a scandalously cheap price. For UK residents, here is a link where you can find whisky at a good price.

**To buy** If you have check-in luggage, I recommend **[Royal Mile Whiskies](https://www.royalmilewhiskies.com/)** (379 High Street Edinburgh EH1 1PW, opposite St. Giles Church, [maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Royal+Mile+Whiskies/@55.9497157,-3.193923,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c79aad37fbcb:0x25b6f3ddbcfc4f8e!8m2!3d55.9497157!4d-3.1917343)). Best prices in Edinburgh. If you can't take it with you, the Duty free at the airport also offers a wide range of whiskies.

![Royal Mile Whisky.jpg](/uploads/Royal_Mile_Whisky_05656ec782.jpg)

Another shop I recommend is **[Cadenhead's Whisky Shop](https://www.cadenhead.scot/)** (172 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DF [maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cadenhead's+Whisky+Shop/@55.9511587,-3.1825471,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x4887c7887b21b6c9:0xc231ba8da2628e06!8m2!3d55.9511587!4d-3.1803584)), "**Scotland's oldest independent bottler**" is over a century old and experienced in selling "the water of life". They buy casks from distilleries which they bottle themselves, so you will find unique whiskies at a very reasonable price.

![Cadenheads.jpg](/uploads/Cadenheads_123a8af381.jpg)

I think that with this small article (and I say small because **the world of whisky** is much more extensive) you are now ready to survive in the pubs of **Edinburgh, Stirling** or any other city in Scotland. Cheers! or as they would say in **Scotland** "Slainte mhath" (slan-ye-var).


the ** HAGGIS ** is a typical Scottish dish? This preparation is served on BURNS day to the sound of bagpipes. Made with liver, heart and lungs of sheep, fat, oat flakes and mutton or beef,

whisky.jpeg

Whisky, Liquid Gold

**Glasgow Necropolis** is one of the main landmarks in the city’s history, and **a visit that no traveler should miss out on**.
**Celebrities**, **Victorian architecture**, **history-packed mausoleums**, and **breathtaking views upon Saint Mungo’s Cathedral and the Merchant City**…all of this and even more awaits you in this iconic Glasgow location!

**Glasgow Necropolis** is a sprawling Victorian cemetery located on a hill east of the city center, beside **St. Mungo’s Gothic cathedral**. It hosts a whopping **three thousand and five hundred mausoleums**, with **approximately fifty thousand people buried** therein even though, of course, not all of them have their own gravestone. It is one of the **finest historical landmarks in Glasgow**, and a **must-visit to understand the past of this cosmopolitan city**, built from the ground up by middle and well-off classes devoted to overseas trade and shipyards.

![Necrópolis Glasgow 7.jpg](/uploads/Necropolis_Glasgow_7_44ae72522d.jpg)

## Glasgow Necropolis background

**After the Enlightenment**, and especially during the early 1800s, there was a growing urge, both for the sake of hygiene and because of urban planning, to shift the location of downtown burial grounds and their surrounding churchyards towards the outskirts of cities.

The city of Glasgow would be one of the **first in the entire United Kingdom to take action** about this. Thus, following the due legislative overhaul (burials had pertained exclusively to the Church hitherto), the **new Glasgow cemetery opened its doors in April 1883**, beside a Jewish graveyard which had been inaugurated on the hillside a few months earlier.

The history of Glasgow Necropolis, which was soon referred to as the **“City of the Dead”**, would straddle throughout all the 1800s and well into the 1900s, sheltering the bodies of **dozens of thousands of citizens**, dotting the hill with **elegant sculptures and funerary monuments** which can still be visited to this day.

In 1996, the **Chamber of Commerce gifted the Necropolis to the city of Glasgow** for the enjoyment of all its citizens and visitors.

![Necrópolis Glasgow 6.jpg](/uploads/Necropolis_Glasgow_6_687c012097.jpg)

## Architecture and remarkable sculptures

By and large, **Glasgow architecture stands out for its Victorian buildings dating from the 1800s**, a century of financial buoyancy, and its Necropolis is no exception. Some of the best designers and architects of that era contributed to creating its **elegant mausoleums** and the bridge leading to the entrance, known as the **“Bridge of Sighs”** (therefore inspired by its namesake in Venice) since it was used by funeral processions to enter the Necropolis.

As for the **most remarkable monuments in Glasgow Necropolis**, the **statue of Protestant reformer John Knox**, dating back to 1825, is worth mentioning (it thus precedes the graveyard itself), as well as the **memorial to William Miller**, a renowned Scottish poet who penned the nursery rhyme “Wee Willie Winkie”.

The **Celtic cross-shaped gravestone devised by Charles Rennie Mackintosh** for Andrew McCall is also worth mentioning (it is rather difficult to find, but definitely worth the effort). You will find it at the foot of the southern hillside in the cemetery!

![Necrópolis Glasgow 9.jpg](/uploads/Necropolis_Glasgow_9_ba6debda42.jpg)

## Celebrities buried in the Necropolis

As underlined before, some of the **most relevant historical characters in Glasgow** are buried beneath its Necropolis. Such is the case of:

- **Charles Tennant**, a Scottish entrepreneur who became conspicuous for commercializing powdered bleach, founding a veritable empire in the local chemical industry. His **funeral sculpture**, in a nonchalant, unusual pose upon his gravestone, is amongst the most unique in the graveyard.
- **William McGavin**, an unfortunate entrepreneur and controversial preacher who still boasts a humongous monument to honor him in the Necropolis.
- **Hugh Tennent**, who in 1885, launched the production of the universally famous Scottish beer Tennent’s at Wellpark Brewery, with his gravestone facing its headquarters from the southern hillside of the Necropolis.


![Necrópolis Glasgow 1.jpg](/uploads/Necropolis_Glasgow_1_130c23ae4c.jpg)


## Cultural importance of Glasgow Necropolis

The Necropolis is one more **testament to the enormous cultural importance that the city of Glasgow attained throughout the 1800s and the early 1900s**. As stressed at the beginning of this article, this graveyard, inspired by the avant-garde Pére Lachaise cemetery in Paris, was **the first of its kind in Scotland, and a pioneer in the United Kingdom**. It serves as further proof of the power and relevance held by the bourgeois and the trading elite of a city which was regarded as the second most important hub in the British Empire!

It is also important to underscore that this Necropolis was one of the few at the time which made the effort to **keep a register of the deceased buried within its grounds**, not only including their names and date of death, but also the cause of their passing and their profession. A real gem for historical archiving!

Besides, the Necropolis is a **fine showcase of Scotland’s heritage** both culturally and also architecturally, since some of the best sculptors, architects, and designers at that time partook in its construction and evolution, featuring **Alexander “Greek” Thomson**, **J. T. Rochead**, and the aforementioned **Charles Rennie Mackintosh**.

![Necrópolis Glasgow 3.jpg](/uploads/Necropolis_Glasgow_3_a67647c850.jpg)

## Visits and guided tours

It is possible and highly advisable to visit Glasgow Necropolis, both on your own or with a **guided tour hosted by the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis association**. You can check further information on their official website and make your bookings there (try to do so as early as possible, since the vacancies fly!). Should you prefer to stroll through the graveyard on your own, but you still want to know all about it, the association also has **printed guides** at your disposal to make the most of your visit.

If you are also interested in getting to know the **history, architecture, and unique street and urban art** in the rest of this fascinating city, join one of our Glasgow free tours for further enjoyment!

## Conclusion

To conclude, **under no circumstances should you miss out on a visit to the Necropolis if you are in town**, since it is one of the **most famous and visited landmarks in Glasgow** and, besides that, you could also explore the neighboring St. Mungo’s cathedral and the rest of the Merchant City.

We hope that you find this guide to Glasgow and its Necropolis useful, and you come visit it very soon!


Necrópolis Glasgow 7.jpg

Glasgow Necropolis: A Journey Through History and Art

Charles Rennie Mackintosh is one of the forefront figures in the history of Scottish architecture and design. Not only his work proved fundamental to the development of the renowned Glasgow Style, but it also influenced European artistic movements as important as Symbolism and Modernism, leading British Art Nouveau alongside his wife, Margaret MacDonald.

![Charles Rennie Mackintosh 1.jpg](/uploads/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh_1_37d07a3bc1.jpg)

## Biografía temprana

Son of Margaret MacIntosh (maiden name Rennie) and William MacIntosh, a local police superintendent, Charles Rennie Mackintosh **was born in Glasgow on June 7, 1868**, within an extensive family. His early education took place in public schools and institutions in the city. At some point during his youth, without knowing exactly why, **the spelling of his surname changed from MacIntosh to Mackintosh**.

**In 1884**, Charles **started working as an architect’s apprentice, and thus began his higher education at the Glasgow School of Art**, where he always stood out among his peers. Only six years later, he was already an associate of one the best architecture bureaus in the city, the same one where he had carried out his design and delineation internship.

His inspiration would always be rooted in Glasgow itself, as the city where he spent most of his life, and where he would become infused with Modernist and industrial ideas, as well as a new Asian style called Japonisme, since Japan held a close relation with the Clyde dockyards at the time. **Mackintosh loved the simplicity, pragmatism and use of natural materials** that such style boasted, being so **similar to Modernism** regarding its purity of lines and rejection of the pompous and the intricate.

![Charles Rennie Mackintosh 3.jpg](/uploads/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh_3_4514bdf8a3.jpg)

## Glasgow Style

**As a combination of Japonisme, Modernism, Art Nouveau, and the influence that his vibrant hometown always exerted on him**, Charles Rennie Mackintosh gave birth to a new, original form of architecture and design: **the Glasgow Style**. Marked by its strong, **right angles and a liking for floral motifs**, Mackintosh would stand by it throughout his entire career.

But **no genius works alone**, and Charles was fortunate enough to closely surround himself with other brilliant personalities from contemporary arts and architecture. **Such is the case of Herbert MacNair, a peer from the Glasgow School of Art** and his subsequent internships, and an **inseparable friend of Mackintosh’s**. Both were fatefully introduced by the art school **dean to the sisters Margaret and Frances Macdonald**, whose artistic styles were strikingly similar to theirs, therefore, not only **they got married**, but they also collaborated throughout their whole lives by means of a **well-known group called The Four**. 

![Charles Rennie Mackintosh 6 rosa.jpg](/uploads/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh_6_rosa_0edd8af83d.jpg)

## Main works by Mackintosh

Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s designs were highly popular in Scotland and, to a certain extent, also abroad in the early 1900s, at the height of his career.

Some of his main architectural works include:
- **the new Glasgow School of Art (1897-1909)**, which cemented his reputation internationally, and which sadly caught fire several times.
- **The Willow Tearooms (1903)**, an elegant tearoom that Mackintosh designed for the reputable entrepreneur Catherine Cranston. 
- The offices for the Glasgow Herald (1895), known nowadays as **The Lighthouse**.
- and **Hill House (1902-1904)**, which he erected for Scottish publisher Walter Blackie.

In almost all of his projects, **the creative mastermind in charge of the wondrous decoration would be his wife, Margaret MacDonald,** as both gave birth to designs as well-liked as the so-called “Mackintosh Rose”.  
    
    
![Charles Rennie Mackintosh 4 Hill House.jpg](/uploads/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh_4_Hill_House_6cf326ed46.jpg)

## Personal life of Charles Rennie Mackintosh

As mentioned before, Charles Rennie Mackintosh **married a brilliant artist called Margaret Macdonald in 1900**. **The Mackintosh couple** would be one of the greatest, **most successful art tandems of their generation**, as both influenced each other’s styles, and their projects became their legacy and offspring. Charles himself would claim that his wife’s work always comprised three quarters of his architectural projects, and that he only had a dash of talent, but Margaret was a genius.

Even though the works of Margaret MacDonald were at that time, alongside her sister Frances’, as famous as her husband’s, nowadays she has somewhat fallen into worldwide anonymity, and only Art Nouveau and Scottish painting connoisseurs know and appreciate paintings as wonderful as **The May Queen or White Rose and Red Rose**.

![Margaret MacDonald.jpg](/uploads/Margaret_Mac_Donald_ea8c6b0ba1.jpg)

## Legacy and recognition

The legacy of Mackintosh and his colleagues exerted a far-reaching influence on Europe’s contemporary, Modernist architecture, and it poses one of the most relevant examples of Scottish architecture and design in history. His fame would grow ever larger after his passing in 1928, and **it experienced a remarkable revival in the 1990**s.  

Indeed, between November 1996 and February 1997, the **New York Metropolitan Museum of Art devoted a monographic exhibition to him**, accompanied by a series of symposiums and conferences convened by Scottish scholars such as Pamela Robertson. 

**Mackintosh’s face has also appeared on Scottish £100 notes**, and it has also been **immortalized in a dazzling piece of urban art in Glasgow by graffiti artist Rogue One**. If you wish to discover this painting and more incredible urban art, as well as some jaw-dropping Mackintosh buildings in the city, join one of our [Glasgow free tours!](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow/glasgow-free-tour)

If you are also going to visit Edinburgh, you should know that a branch of **The Willow Tearooms inspired by Mackintosh's architecture and design has recently opened its doors**. Stop by to have something and then take a walk with our free tours through the capital of Scotland!
    
![Charles Rennie Mackintosh 2.jpg](/uploads/Charles_Rennie_Mackintosh_2_87a292d691.jpg)

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

* Who was Charles Rennie Mackintosh and why is he important?

Mackintosh was one of the most remarkable architects and designers in Scottish history, and one of the leaders of British Art Nouveau.

* Which are some of Mackintosh’s most famous works?

His most renowned works include the Glasgow School of Art, The Willow Tearooms, The Lighthouse and Hill House.

* How did Mackintosh’s style influence modern design?

Mackintosh designs influenced artistic trends such as Modernism and Symbolism, infusing modern architecture with his elegant, straight lines.

* Did Mackintosh take part in any notable collaborations throughout his career?

During his career, Mackintosh always collaborated with his wife, Margaret MacDonald, and frequently, with his sister-in-law Frances and her husband, Herbert MacNair, in a group known as The Four. 

* Where can I see Mackintosh’s works in the present?

Some buildings designed by Mackintosh can currently be visited in Glasgow and its surroundings, such as The Lighthouse, The Willow Tearooms, Hill House or the posthumous House for an Art Lover. 



Charles Rennie Mackintosh 1.jpg

Charles Rennie Mackintosh: The architect who revolutionised Art Nouveau



Glasgow Cathedral, also **known as St. Mungo’s Cathedral**, is one of the most unique and important monuments in Scotland. Not only is it the oldest building in the entire city, but it is also **the most ancient cathedral in mainland Scotland**, and the only one, alongside St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, in the Orkneys, **whose ceilings are originally Medieval**.
All of this makes Glasgow Cathedral **the most representative Gothic building** in Scotland, as well as one the most beautiful and interesting landmarks to visit in the entire country!

![Catedral de Glasgow 4.jpg](/uploads/Catedral_de_Glasgow_4_613729cf0b.jpg)

## History of Glasgow Cathedral

The history of Glasgow Cathedral dates back to **the first centuries of Christianity in Scotland**, when St. Mungo (also called St. Kentigern), patron and founder of the city, **carried the first sacred relics in the 500s**, building a hermitage and a church where he would be buried upon his passing, in the early 600s.

This early, modest foundation would **become an important pilgrimage site throughout the Middle Ages** and would give rise, in the 1100s, to the construction of Glasgow’s imposing cathedral right above St. Mungo’s burial place. Even though this **first cathedral was consecrated in 1136**, it had to be **rebuilt and consecrated once again in 1197**, after it was ravaged by a harrowing fire.

Glasgow Cathedral grew steadily throughout the following centuries under the oversight of different bishops, who also had to manage the restorations that the building occasionally required. One of them, William Turnbull, would also be the founder of the renowned Glasgow University in 1451, as its first lectures took place in the cathedral’s chapter house. 

**With the advent of the Protestant Reformation in the 1500s, Glasgow Cathedral was stripped of all its Catholic symbology**, as well as its sculptures, altars, and adjoining buildings. Luckily enough, **the main venue was adapted and remained operational for the new faith**, this being the reason why it has reached present day in an admirable state of preservation, since **the new Protestant ministers protected it against vandalism during the earlier years of the Reformation**, and also from falling into disrepair as time went by.

![Catedral de Glasgow 1.jpg](/uploads/Catedral_de_Glasgow_1_84014ed209.jpg)

## Monumental architecture

As we mentioned before, the **Gothic architecture of Glasgow Cathedral** is among the most beautiful and complex in all landmarks of this kind in Scotland.

Most of the building dates from the 1100s and 1200s, displaying some remarkable Gothic features such as rows of pointed arches, slender tracery windows and three domed corridors surrounding the presbyterium and the choir. The 1400s would witness further additions as stunning as the stone-carved pulpit and the imposing Blackadder corridor (named after the bishop who commissioned it), and, during the 1500s, the installation of delicate Flemish stained glass in the rose window.

**Speaking of stained glass**, it is also worth mentioning that some of its unique pieces were placed in the cathedral windows as late as the 1950s, including some notable examples such as **The Creation** or **The Evangelists**, by Francis Spear, or another one by Sadie McLellan depicting **Christ**.

![Catedral de Glasgow 2.jpg](/uploads/Catedral_de_Glasgow_2_03680a3bd2.jpg)

## Religious and cultural relevance of St. Mungo’s Cathedral

The first genuine remnant of the construction of Glasgow Cathedral in **this site lies within the crypt of the Lower Church**, where St. Mungo’s grave, patron of the city and noteworthy missionary during the expansion of Christianity in 500s Scotland, can be found. It is a holy place for Christians which has drawn pilgrims since the Middle Ages, and it can still be visited today alongside the rest of the building.

Therefore, St. Mungo’s cathedral not only encompasses several centuries of city history and Scottish Gothic architecture, but also a feeling of belonging to the Christian community whose spiritual services, Catholic at first, and then Protestant, have been administered since its foundation.

![Catedral de Glasgow 6.jpg](/uploads/Catedral_de_Glasgow_6_34f1d15a7b.jpg)

## Visiting Glasgow Cathedral

**How to get there:**

- If you are spending a few days in Glasgow, you may visit its cathedral easily, since it can be reached in just a 15-minute stroll from the city center. 
- Should you be in Edinburgh, you just need to board one of the countless trains departing from Waverley Station, joining both cities in just under an hour.

You can even take this chance to get to know the rest of elegant, history-rich Glasgow with one of our [free tours] (https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow/glasgow-free-tour)! 

**Schedule:**
Glasgow Cathedral is **open from 09:30 to 17:30** (on Sundays it opens at 13:00) from April to September, **and from 10:00 to 16:00** (starting at 13:00 on Sundays) between October and March. You might find that the monument **is closed from 12:00 to 13:00 due to staff breaks**.

**Price:**

Admission to the Cathedral **is completely free of charge**, although donations are welcome. Audio-guides are available for just £2.

Find further information here, at [the official website](https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/glasgow-cathedral/overview/)

## Fun facts about St. Mungo’s Cathedral

Glasgow Cathedral is home to many secrets and fun facts which are worth mentioning.

1. Even though it is a Christian place of worship, violence was rampant in the Middle Ages and there were different moral standards; owing to this, **the head of Somerled**, Lord of the Isles, half Norse and half Gaelic, who perished in the Battle of Renfrew (1164) attempting to invade Scotland, **was kept for a long time within the cathedral as an offering to St. Mungo**, to whom the citizens ascribed their victory. 
2. The Wars of Scottish Independence also brought about some curious facts, such as **Edward I of England visiting the Cathedral in 1301 to pay his respects to St. Mungo**, or also **Robert the Bruce in 1306, seeking the protection of the Bishop of Glasgow**, his friend Robert Wishart, after he murdered John Comyn, who contested his claim to the throne of Scotland.
3. Leaving trivia aside, Glasgow Cathedral might also strike visitors as familiar due to its plentiful appearances in cinema, since it was used as a filming location for movies such as **The Batman** (2022) or **Outlaw King** (2018), as well as series as popular as **Outlander**.

![Catedral de Glasgow 3.jpg](/uploads/Catedral_de_Glasgow_3_c40b33f9c1.jpg)

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

- **Is Glasgow Cathedral an actual cathedral?**
_Even though it has not served as the seat of a bishop since 1690, it is still referred to as a cathedral due to its historical and architectural importance._

- **What makes Glasgow Cathedral unique compared to other Scottish cathedrals?**
_It is the only Medieval cathedral in mainland Scotland to survive Scottish Reformation almost unscathed, which makes it a living testament of the country’s history._

- **Which are its most remarkable architectural features?**
_The cathedral is renowned for its spire, an addition from the 1800s, as well as its stained glass and the fact that it has been a coveted filming location for several Hollywood films._

- **When is the best time to visit Glasgow Cathedral?**
_The Cathedral is open to the public all year round, with specific opening times from April to September, and October to March._

- **Is there an admission fee?**
_Admission to the cathedral is free of charge, which makes it accessible to all visitors._


Catedral de Glasgow 4.jpg

Glasgow Cathedral: Everything you should know, and then a bit more

Valentine’s Day is marked **every February 14**, an originally **Catholic festivity** that commemorates the good deeds performed by this saint in 3rd-century Rome, thus replacing pagan Lupercalia. Even though many of the legends and traditions surrounding Saint Valentine, as well as his relation with romantic love, were created much later, it’s still a thoroughly charming date for couples wishing to indulge in a romantic getaway.  
**Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh is ideal to celebrate this date!**

## Why Edinburgh for Valentine’s?

To celebrate **Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh is one of the most romantic ideas** you can surprise your partner with for a variety of reasons: the Old Town’s ancient and mysterious vibe, the picture-perfect wintry light in the city, the abounding restaurants and charming pubs in the centre and **the ideal cultural activities for couples**, among many other things.
**Few romantic plans in Edinburgh** beat a wintry walk through the Royal Mile, Grassmarket Square or the Water of Leith, finishing with a pint in a warm, cosy pub and a **candlelit dinner** in a New Town restaurant.

## Romantic accommodation in Edinburgh

Edinburgh features plenty of **ideal romantic lodges for a Valentine’s getaway**. Some of the best ones include the following:

### The Witchery by the Castle  -> [Book now](https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-witchery-by-the-castle.en.html?aid=1433459&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA)

If money is not a problem, this gothic and luxurious hotel placed in the Royal Mile, right beside the castle, is your best chance. There are only nine suites, so book in advance!

[![The-Witchery-by-the-Castle-habitacion.jpg](/uploads/The_Witchery_by_the_Castle_habitacion_e66d3371e4.jpg)](https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-witchery-by-the-castle.en.html?aid=1433459&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA)


### The Balmoral Hotel -> [Book Here](https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-balmoral-edinburgh.en.html?aid=1433459&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA)

An all-time classic of romantic lodging in Edinburgh, you can’t go wrong with this!

[![Balmoral.jpg](/uploads/Balmoral_e48844fdea.jpg)](https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/the-balmoral-edinburgh.en.html?aid=1433459&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA)

### Prestonfield House  -> [See more](https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/prestonfield-house.en.html?aid=1433459&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA)

Placed beside Arthur’s Seat, this 1600s hotel has the most amazingly romantic and dazzling atmosphere in this selection. Peacocks, dreamy views, and candlelit dinners, what else could you wish for?

[![Prestonfield-House.jpg](/uploads/Prestonfield_House_da94e16d46.jpg)](https://www.booking.com/hotel/gb/prestonfield-house.en.html?aid=1433459&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2&room1=A%2CA)


## Foodie experiences for lovers

Although you can enjoy the best romantic supper in Edinburgh in any of the previously mentioned lodges and their corresponding restaurants, here are a few alternative options to **surprise your partner for Valentine’s** with a **brilliant foodie experience**:

- **The Kitchin**: this excellent, **Michelin-star restaurant** only uses exclusive local products and features several menu choices depending on your budget. It is considered as **one of the five best restaurants across the United Kingdom**!

![the-kitchin.jpg](/uploads/the_kitchin_d1f9596e58.jpg)

- **Fishers in the City**: this is **one of the most famous seafood restaurants in Edinburgh**, and for good reason. You can pick between their venues in the New Town, Leith or even The Shore, their avantgarde cuisine eatery. It’s a safe choice!

![fisher-in-the-city.jpg](/uploads/fisher_in_the_city_228b0a7151.jpg)

- **Origano Café & Pizzeria**: should you prefer a less costly experience with a humble and intimate charm, there’s no going wrong with this pizzeria in Leith. Candlelit pizza and wine, the best romantic supper!

![Origano-cafe-and-pizza.jpg](/uploads/Origano_cafe_and_pizza_402718e888.jpg)

## Romantic walks through Edinburgh

One of the** best romantic plans to do in Edinburgh** for Valentine’s is to **stroll some of its historic streets and avenues, or also its parks and green areas.**

If you are a history and architecture buff, nothing beats a lengthy walk through the best of the Old Town, Medieval Edinburgh’s beating heart: take your partner on a trip across its streets, discover its closes, take a break in its cute cafés, buy some gifts in its shops, or visit the castle. **Watching the sun set upon the old town** from the window of a quaint, traditional pub is an ideal way to wrap up your day.

![edimburgo-4.jpg](/uploads/edimburgo_4_4410dccf10.jpg)

The same applies to the elegant **New Town**, where you can **stroll Princes St. and its jaw-dropping gardens**, or walk down to adorable **Dean Village**, a village frozen in time in the midst of the city, from which you can enter the lovely waterway of Water of Leith. A dusk at the monumental **Calton Hill is the perfect finishing touch to your Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh**!

![calton-hill-san-valentin-scotland.jpg](/uploads/calton_hill_san_valentin_scotland_51343f2dcc.jpg)

If it’s your first time in the city, there’s nothing better than joining a [free tour to explore both areas and master all of their secrets](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-free-tour). 

## Cultural activities for couples

As for couple experiences in Edinburgh, one of the best cultural choices is to **visit some museums or art galleries**. Most of them have **free admission**, and there’s plenty of them catering for all tastes. Don’t leave them as a last-ditch option for a rainy day, you will love perusing them!

**You mustn’t miss a visit to the National Museum of Scotland**, which deserves a whole day on its own just to wander its premises, packed with natural and historical trivia. If your partner is an art buff, you have got to take them to emblematic landmarks such as the National Gallery or the Portrait Museum.

Finally, it is paramount to book your tickets to some of the **Candlelights Concerts** taking place at **St. Giles’ or St. Mary’s cathedrals**. I can’t think of anything more romantic to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh! **On February 14, two of these concerts will be held: **Moonlight Sonata, featuring classical music at St. Giles’, and a Tribute to Queen for rockers at St. Mary’s. **

![candlelight-edinburgh-concert.jpg](/uploads/candlelight_edinburgh_concert_b1a6362234.jpg)

## Romantic getaways near Edinburgh

If you have a couple of extra days, you may wish to complete your Edinburgh Valentine’s with a memorable getaway around its surroundings. We suggest you choose a nearby place in order to fully enjoy your experience without transport being a problem.

You can pick destinations as incredible as **Stirling**, teeming with history and charm throughout its **beautiful castle and old town**. Or [Glasgow](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-glasgow), featuring **refined museum** and **elegant architecture**. **Dunfermline**, with its mind-blowing abbey and church, and **the romantic Pittencrieff Park**. Or also **South Queensferry**, a lovely seafaring town **with a view on the Forth Bridge**. 

You can reach any of these places on your own, by train or, should you pick Stirling or Glasgow, also with our [walking tours](https://scotlandcitytours.com/)! 

## Tips to prepare your perfect Valentine’s in Edinburgh


My first tip to plan a proper Valentine’s in Edinburgh is to **book** your flight, accommodation, restaurants, tours, and activities **as early as possible**. Even though February is off-season, this city, with its lovely wintry atmosphere, is perfect for a romantic trip and you will find a laidback feeling, but it is not off the beaten path.
So, wait no longer, **pick a beautiful lodging, a couple of nice restaurants, and some tours, walks and concerts, and give your partner the surprise of their lifetime with a magical Valentine’s in Edinburgh! **



calton-hill-san-valentin-scotland.jpg

Valentine’s Day in Edinburgh: a guide to an unforgettable romantic celebration

# Introduction to the Christmas markets of Europe
The European Christmas market, as a modern phenomenon, is a long and historical tradition, with its origin being found during **The Middle Ages** in The Holy Roman Empire (more specifically in what is today’s Austria and Germany). 
During the 13th and 14th centuries, **the Holy Roman Emperor** would give his permission to various cities, such as Vienna and Munich, to hold **special markets at the start of winter** with the aim of stocking up on products for the rest of the season. Bit by bit, these markets became more sophisticated, more complicated, and it was **the market of Dresden in 1434** that would become the first market that we could consider as a **mirror of the Christmas markets** that we see dotted around Europe today. 

Nowadays, these markets are usually held **from the end of November until the end of December** and are the perfect places to wrap up warm on a cold winter’s day, whilst losing oneself amongst the various stalls that sell all sorts. **Whether that be eating something sweet or drinking a nice mulled wine or warm cide**r. Perhaps you’re there to do a bit of shopping where there are no shortage of artisanal products and Christmas themed presents. You might be there for the fun and games, so why not have a go on the attractions, or perhaps you’re there for the biggest attraction of them all; the man in the big red suit himself, Santa.

![mercado de Navidad de Manchester.jpg](/uploads/mercado_de_Navidad_de_Manchester_adcea3018d.jpg)

## Selection of the best Christmas Markets throughout Europe.

Each and every year, **there are thousands of these Christmas markets** being held the world over. However, if you want to know which are the best in Europe, here is a list of those that you simply cannot afford to miss, with particular attention being paid to those in the UK. 

Some of the best Christmas markets in the UK are found in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and York. However, it must be said that amongst these, without a shadow of a doubt, the Edinburgh Christmas market is the most charming and one of the most extensive and visited that there is. For this reason, the Edinburgh Christmas market is widely recognized as one of the best and usually takes top spot in the annual lists of best Christmas markets, not just in the UK, but throughout Europe as well. As if that wasn’t enough, the Scottish capital also comes to life with Christmas spirit and endless entertainment with many magical events, one such being the special illumination spectacular of Edinburgh Castle.

Throughout the continent, there is still plenty to see such as the amazing markets of Budapest, Cologne, Salzburg, Essen and, of course, those of Viena and Munich which as previously mentioned, are bound in history and tradition. It would be remiss of us to not mention those of the capitals of the Baltic countries, such as that of Riga, which even though generally smaller in size, their iconic snowy urban landscapes more than make up for it.
![mercado de Navidad de Budapest.jpg](/uploads/mercado_de_Navidad_de_Budapest_be1b7054f3.jpg)

## Christmas Markets 2023: New Attractions and Events
The European Christmas markets of 2023 are full of new and exciting attractions that you don’t want to miss, such as the **Christmas carol concert in Salzburg**, the **Christmas tree with** more than **2000 LED lights that will light up Vienna**, or the impressive **Christmas parade in Manchester** that will take place on the 3rd of December.

**The Scottish Christmas markets** aren’t exempt from the list of places with captivating and original activities, such as the **Santa race and the dog show “Santa Paws”** that will take place on the 9th of December in Edinburgh. These aren’t the only attractions in Edinburgh where you can also take in a spectacular view of the city from the ferris-wheel, ride the daring Starflyer with its flying seats, have a go on the ice-rink, try some traditional food and drink and of course, the previously mentioned **light show spectacular of Edinburgh Castle.**
![mercado de Navidad de Colonia.jpg](/uploads/mercado_de_Navidad_de_Colonia_fd1569b33c.jpg)
This winter, to top off your visit to Edinburgh and this enchanting Christmas market, why not take part in a wonderfully special Christmas walking tour of Edinburgh, a city which dresses itself up to the nines during this magical time of year.

## Guide to taking advantage of the Christmas Market on your trip to Edinburgh.
Visiting Christmas markets throughout Europe in December is an ideal activity for a short city break, whether it be just a couple of days, or a cheeky 5-day weekend. In such a short space of time, it’s not unreasonable to think you could discover a number of exciting different cites such as Viena, Budapest, York, Glasgow or Edinburgh. 
If the latter is what tickles your fancy, and a visit to the Christmas markets of the UK is on the cards, a enticing proposal could be as follows: Why not spend three days in Edinburgh getting to know everything that the city has to offer through its walking tours, and then just a short train ride away you have Glasgow, where you could spend a fourth, and perhaps fifth, day becoming acquainted with its own market, its monuments and its elegant architecture.


## Economical Options: Low-cost European Christmas Markets
For the traveller in search of a more budget friendly Christmas market, a great option could be the markets of the Baltic countries, amongst which stand out the **Christmas market of Riga,** or those of Eastern Europe such as **Budapest or Gdansk**. 
With this being said, any other European destination could become a relatively economic option if the right choices are made.
If your goal is to visit the Christmas markets in places like Germany, Austria, England or Scotland, don’t deprive yourself of the opportunity, plan well and opt for cheaper accommodation options, such as hostels. Or else stay for fewer days but take full advantage of them by organising yourself well.
![mercado de Navidad de Viena.jpg](/uploads/mercado_de_Navidad_de_Viena_c4f3f7616b.jpg)

## Conclusion: Preparations for an Unforgettable Christmas Experience.

The best piece of advice that I could give you for an unforgettable Christmas experience, is to let yourself be guided by the destination that excites you the most and then adapt your trip and your budget to that destination. **Christmas is there to make dreams come true!**

In terms of everything else, try to book your flights and accommodation as soon as possible, or if you’re a little late to the party, have a good look at the last-minute deals on offer from the airlines and have at it. 
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, make sure you book early whatever special Christmas events you want to go to, and **take advantage of the city’s walking tours** to really get to know the city you’re visiting. After all, you chose that city for a reason!

Last, but certainly not least, enjoy to the fullest your trip to **the best European Christmas markets of 2023!**


mercado de Navidad de Viena.jpg

The European Christmas Markets that you cannot afford to miss

This great metropolis is a city where one day is just not enough hours to see everything it has, since the distances are relatively large. Two days would be better to get a snapshot of the city. I would also like to point out that it is nothing like its neighbour and rival city, [Edinburgh](https://scotlandcitytours.com/blog/things-to-do-and-see-in-edinburgh). That's like saying that all beers from the same country are the same; all refresh you, yes, but the difference is in the flavour, just as it is with these two cities. And in this case, Glasgow might be thought of as the ugly duckling of the two, but I assure you that it has plenty of beauty.

People from **Glasgow** are known as **Glaswegians**, and their accent can be somewhat challenging to understand. Legend has it that there are times when they don't even understand each other! So I hope to make your life a little easier, and here you will find everything you need to get to know **Glasgow**.


## 1. [Glasgow Cathedral](https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/glasgow-cathedral/)

Construction of this **cathedral** began in 1136, and today it’s currently the only intact cathedral in all of Scotland. It has a **13th-century crypt**, where you'll find the tomb of **Saint Mungo**, Glasgow's patron saint. It’s a 15-minute walk from Queen Street train station, and admission to both the cathedral and the crypt is free.

![Glasgow catedral.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_catedral_5341559e28.jpg)
_<center>Glasgow Cathedral</center>_

## 2. Necropolis

This **Victorian cemetery** is situated on a hill just behind the cathedral and has spectacular views of the city. It is estimated that 50,000 people are buried there, even though there are only about 3,500 monuments or graves. **The Glasgow Chamber** of Merchants began formally planning the cemetery in 1831 but didn’t officially open it until April 1833.

![Glasgow necropolis.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_necropolis_85192f6e94.jpg)
_<center>Necrópolis</center>_

## 3. [The Clydeside Distillery](https://www.theclydeside.com/)

The distillery opened its doors in 2017, located on the banks of the **River Clyde**. The distillery is very original in its design; some of its facades are made of glass, allowing you to see part of its interior from the same street. You can take a tour that lasts approximately [1 hour and costs £15.](https://www.theclydeside.com/book-a-tour/)


## 4. Glasgow University

The university is a bit further away from the city centre, but you can easily reach it on the subway (the stop is Hillhead). It’s a beautiful building to visit and is one of my personal favourites in **Glasgow**. Founded in 1451, it’s one of the oldest universities in Scotland. It’s world-renowned and follows the Bologna model, being of **great European tradition**. There are almost 16,000 undergraduate students and 4,000 postgraduate students. It has ten faculties: Arts, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, Physical Sciences, Medicine, Social Sciences, Engineering, Law and Financial Studies, Veterinary Medicine and Education. Its many illustrious former students include **Adam Smith** and Nobel Laureate **John Boyd Orr** (Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1949).

![Glasgow universidad.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_universidad_faa85bb672.jpg)
_<center>Glasgow university. Picture "[Scotland In My Pocket](https://www.instagram.com/scotland_in_my_pocket/?hl=en)"</center>_

## 5. [Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery](https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/kelvingrove-art-gallery-and-museum)

This museum is just a short walk away from the university. Opened in 1901, it comprises 22 galleries where you will find everything from furniture exhibitions by the famous **Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh**, to an impressive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, through works by influential artists, including **Botticelli and Rembrand**t, and even extraordinary medieval armour. Admission is free.

![Glasgow kelvingrove.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_kelvingrove_dbcfa3c465.jpg)
_<center>Kelvingrove Museum</center>_ 

## 6. [Riverside Museum](https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/riverside-museum)

The European Museum Forum (dedicated to developing the quality of museums) considers **this transport museum one of the best in Europe**. Inaugurated in 2011, it now has more than 3,000 objects inside. Not only is the exhibition of cars, locomotives, trams, motorcycles and much more worth visiting, but also the building itself is stunning. **Admission is free**.
 
![Glasgow Museo.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Museo_d5d9c3e79e.jpg)
_<center>Riverside Museum</center>_
 
## 7. [People's Palace and the Winter Gardens](https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/peoples-palace)

Inside this 18th-century palace, now converted into a museum, you can **discover the history of Glaswegian life**. It’s filled with photographs, objects, paintings and a film about how people used to live in **Glasgow**. At the rear of the museum is a large, beautiful Victorian conservatory.

The palace is in **Glasgow Green** in the east of the city, Glasgow’s oldest park, dating back to the 15th century. Here you can find monuments built from then up until the present. Access to both the park and the palace is free. 

![Glasgow Palacio cristal.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Palacio_cristal_91bea1db94.jpg)
_<center>People's Palace</center>_

## 8. [Botanical Garden](https://glasgowbotanicgardens.co.uk/)

A little over 200 years old, taking a walk through this garden in spring or summer can be very pleasant while the flowers are in bloom. Although in autumn, with the leaves changing colour and falling, it can also be stunning. It has several greenhouses, but the main one is the 2,137 m² Kibble Glass palace, housing plants and trees from around the world.

|Edinburgh Walking Tours |
|---|
| Book your [Edinburgh Free Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-free-tour) |
| Book your [Edinburgh Mysteries, witchery and murders Walking Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/edinburgh-ghost-tour) |
| BEST TOUR [Edinburgh Castle Guided Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/guided-tour-edinburgh-castle) |
| Book your [Outlander and Jacobites Walking Tour](https://scotlandcitytours.com/tours-edinburgh/outlander-tour)|
 

## 9. [Museum of Modern Art](https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/gallery-of-modern-art-goma)

Located in the heart of **Glasgow**, the museum opened in 1996, although the building dates from 1778 and is neoclassical in style. Before becoming a museum, it was the **Bank of Scotland** or **Chamber of Commerce**.
 
Among its exhibitions, you will find works by David Hockney, Andy Warhol, John Bellany, Ken Currie and Sebastião Salgado.
 
In front of the museum, you can see a statue of the **Duke of Wellington** and, most likely, he will have a construction cone on his head. This is no accident, as he’s been wearing it for about 30 years, and it has become a local tradition. The cone is perennial, as no one ever removes it. Sometimes he even has several cones, one inside the other! There is no clear theory about the reason for this particular tradition, but it has spread throughout **Scotland**, and it’s no longer just Wellington crowned with a cone. You may also find statues wearing cones in Edinburgh; luckily, they are usually removed quickly there! My theory is that this is a national sport for drunks because they usually always appear on the weekends; what a coincidence!

![glasgow arte morderno.jpg](/uploads/glasgow_arte_morderno_3e1cdb9e2f.jpg)
 
 
## 10. [The Barras](http://www.theglasgowbarras.com/)

 
If you spend more than one day in **Glasgow** and it happens to be a weekend, I recommend visiting this peculiar place. It's a **Glaswegian** favourite, a time-honoured flea market, here since the 1920s and located in Glasgow's East End. You can find all sorts of second-hand items here: antiques, handicrafts, vinyl and much more!
 
 
## 11. George Square

**The main square of Glasgow** is very close to **Queen Street** train station and **Buchanan Street**. It was built in the 18th century as part of the city’s grid layout, with the roads forming right-angled blocks, typical of the **Scottish Enlightenment**. In the square, you will find the town hall, a beautiful Victorian-style building, where they offer [guided tours](https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/19136/City-Chambers-Tours) from Monday to Friday at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm.
 
You will also find a magnificent selection of statues of the Scots who helped improve humanity during the **Scottish Enlightenment** in the square.
 
 ![Glasgow Council.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Council_b8fde256e3.jpg)
_<center>George Square</center>_
 
## 12. Buchanan Street

If you like going shopping while you are on holiday, this is considered one of the best shopping streets in the country!
 
![Buchanan Street Glasgow.jpg](/uploads/Buchanan_Street_Glasgow_565b5750d2.jpg)

## 13. [The Willow Tea Rooms](https://www.willowtearooms.co.uk/)

After an exhausting day of sightseeing and shopping, there’s nothing better than having afternoon tea in this famous tea room. The decor is spectacular, designed by **Mackintosh**, and all the teas, sweets and sandwiches are delicious.
 
 
## 14. Ashton Lane

This cobbled street, located in the heart of the West End, is one of **Glasgow’s jewels of entertainment**. Since it’s not in the city centre, it’s not overcrowded with tourists. The area is full of life, with restaurants, bars and the occasional small shop. People have even compared it to the **Temple Bar** area of ​​Dublin, the Irish capital.
 
![glasgow Ashton Lane.jpg](/uploads/glasgow_Ashton_Lane_33c91dcae4.jpg)
_Ashton Lane. Picture "[Scotland in My Pocket](https://www.instagram.com/scotland_in_my_pocket/?hl=en)"_ 
 
## 15. [Murals (Street Art)](https://www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/)
(insert website)

**Glasgow's murals or graffiti** are world-famous and result from a 2008 project created to rejuvenate streets and revitalise empty buildings and sites. They enrich the city and give it a more modern look. Currently, there are **30 murals scattered around the city**, each one beautiful. Although it is somewhat difficult to see all of them, I recommend that you visit at least some of the ones in the city centre.
 
![Glasgow Mural.jpg](/uploads/Glasgow_Mural_a97c884615.jpg) 
 
**Glasgow is a beautiful city**, although it may not seem so at first glance. It has a vibrant atmosphere and hundreds of things to do, including nightlife like few other cities in the United Kingdom. This is a place to spend at least two days since most people probably don’t know much about it!
 
Another good option to explore the city is to take the tourist bus that leaves from George Square.
 
I hope this article gives you some ideas for how to spend your time in Glasgow, and please leave your comments or questions below!
