6 reasons to visit Glasgow - Scotland City Torus
6 reasons to visit Glasgow

6 reasons to visit Glasgow

The city with the friendliest people in the UK, but an awful Scottish accent.

Glasgow was one of the most important cities during the Industrial Revolution in the UK. As a remnant of this past, today it is a cosmopolitan city and one of Europe's top 20 financial centres. What still survives from its industrial past is the architecture, although it is no longer warehouses, but shops and restaurants. It is a city with a lot of life both day and night, so I would like to encourage you to visit Glasgow with these 6 good reasons:

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 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.

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.

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.

The SSE Hydro

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.

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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

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

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.

Football logos. Celtic and Rangers FC

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.

Glasgow travel
Scottish cities
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River Clyde
museums
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