8 THINGS TO DO IN GLASGOW
There are a wide variety of things to do in Glasgow during each hour of your journey, from sunrise to sunset. Some of Scotland's top cultural attractions can be found in Glasgow, and best of all, the majority of them are totally free!
You may easily pass your time in Glasgow by touring the many neighbourhoods and taking advantage of the city's incredible restaurants, shops, and sights. Maybe you'll take a walking tour of Glasgow to learn more about its music scene or explore its outstanding museums and art galleries to find endless treasures.
1. Riverside Museum
Riverside Museum
Glasgow Life's first purpose-designed museum erected in the twenty-first century is the Riverside Museum. It is situated at the confluence of the rivers Kelvin and Clyde and is home to the magnificent transportation and technological collections of the city. These collections, which have been amassed over the years, reflect the significant role Glasgow has played in the world through its contributions to heavy industries like shipbuilding, train manufacturing, and engineering.
Dame Zaha Hadid, an internationally recognised architect, created the museum. After a four-year construction period, it opened in 2011 with more than 3,000 items from the city's renowned collections on exhibit.
2. City Centre Mural Trail
City Centre Mural Trail
By transforming tired-looking buildings and deserted lots into stunning works of public street art, street murals are assisting in revitalising streets, revitalising buildings, and bringing new life to vacant sites. The first piece of art was created in 2008, and since then, this portfolio of finished works has grown.
The murals are also having a significant impact on the city's downtown by adding colourful splashes that liven up alleys and roadways. This promotes local businesses and makes them more inviting for both residents and tourists.
Glasgow has already established a Mural Trail that showcases the varied collection of art within short walking distance of the city centre. Every taste can be satisfied by the wide variety of artwork on display, from traditional to avant-garde, quirky to weird.
The street murals are distinctive works of art that, according to Glaswegians, tourists, and local businesses, assist to enliven the city centre.
3. The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery
One of the largest collections outside of the National Museums is housed at The Hunterian, Scotland's oldest public museum.
The Hunterian, a premier university museum in the UK and one of Scotland's most significant cultural institutions, was founded in 1807.
The Hunterian collections, which were created with Dr. William Hunter's founding bequest, contain scientific equipment that was used by Lord Kelvin, Lord James Watt, and Joseph Lister.
Roman antiquities from the Antonine Wall, significant holdings in the natural and living sciences, Hunter's own comprehensive anatomical teaching collection, outstanding ethnographic artefacts from Captain Cook's Pacific expeditions, and a significant art collection are all included.
The Hunterian is also the location of the largest permanent collection of James McNeill Whistler's artwork and the largest collection of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's works. The interiors of his Glasgow home have been assembled in The Mackintosh House.
4. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
One of Scotland's most visited free attractions, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, has 22 themed, cutting-edge galleries with an astounding 8000 artefacts on show.
The collections of Kelvingrove are substantial, diverse, and important on a global scale. Natural history, weapons and armour, artwork from numerous historical eras and art movements, and much more are among them.
The Salvador Dali masterwork "Christ of St. John of the Cross" is the most well-known piece of art on view at Kelvingrove. Another popular exhibit at the museum is Sir Roger the Asian elephant. Even a Spitfire aircraft is suspended from the west court's ceiling.
5. House for an Art Lover
House for an Art Lover
Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a well-known architect around the world, created Home for an Art Lover, which is located in Bellahouston Park.
As nearly as feasible to Mackintosh's ideas from 1901, the exterior of the Home for an Art Lover has been realised in materials and craftsmanship.
The whole interior arrangement was created by Mackintosh, and he and his wife created the intricate interior designs for the double-height Entrance Hall, Dining Room, Oval Room, and Music Room. Visitors can explore "The Mackintosh Suite," which consists of these rooms, the main staircase, and the gallery and has been meticulously realised.
6. Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens, which include a number of plant collections, woodland copses, riverfront walks, and the renowned Kibble Palace, are situated by the River Kelvin in the city's West End.
The spectacular glasshouse Kibble Palace, built by John Kibble, is home to the country's largest collection of tree ferns. In the palm house, plants native to tropical rainforests flourish.
The newest addition to the grounds is the Botanic Gardens Tearoom, which is located close to Kibble Palace in the former curator's home.
Among the gardens, there is a play area for kids.
7. Pollok Country Park
Pollok Country Park
Three mountain bike circuits are located in the middle of Glasgow's Pollok Country Park, which is a great destination for mountain bikers of all skill levels and is not far from National Cycle Routes 7 and 75.
On the south side of Glasgow, Scotland, there is a sizable park called Pollok Country Park, which spans 146 hectares. Numerous things make it noteworthy, including the fact that it is the location of the police mounted and dog-handling units, the renowned Burrell Collection, and Pollok House. Also, it boasts a lot of big open spaces that are perfect for shooting Outlander's outdoor scenes. The location was used to film scenes that depicted Doune Castle's surrounds as well as the duel between Jamie and "Black Jack" and the departure of Jamie and Fergus.
8. Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre
One of Glasgow's most well-liked and distinctive attractions is SHARMANKA. Since its initial debut in 1989, it has been fascinating and entertaining audiences for more than three decades.
Eduard Bersudsky, a sculptor and mechanic, and Tatyana Jakovskaya, a theatre director, formed Sharmanka in St. Petersburg, Russia, before relocating to Scotland in the mid-1990s. Audiences in numerous nations have been enthralled by Sharmanka's magic, which has a long history of national and international tours and exhibitions. Its compelling shows appeal to audiences of all ages and are richly packed with stories from other cultures.
An honoree of the 2005 Creative Scotland award, Eduard Bersudsky is the principal artist and co-creator of the Millennium Clock Tower at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.