World City Guide

Mini Guide of Glasgow

City Overview

Glasgow has seen more changes in the past two decades than almost any other British city. From a declining industrial centre with widespread pessimism about its future, Glasgow has been transformed into a forward-looking city and one of the hippest spots in Europe. There has always been an enormous sense of pride in the city’s history – the long list of inventors, engineers, writers and architects of the 19th and 20th centuries were part of the driving force of industrialisation, tamed by socially progressive values in the ‘second city’ of the British Empire.

With ports on the Clyde giving access to the Irish Sea, Glasgow was an important shipbuilding centre and well known for massive engineering works, where the locomotives of the nation were produced. Its former wealth can still be seen in the classical architecture of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson and the Art Nouveau style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. During the 19th century, the grid of the commercial centre streets was laid out to the west of the Merchant City, whose Palladian mansions had been commissioned by industrial barons in the previous century. The West End – the area surrounding the hill, on which the University of Glasgow sits – is separated from the commercial centre by the Kelvin River and the brooding expanse of Kelvingrove Park.

In the post-war period, the city suffered a decline and the population halved from its peak of 1.1 million in 1939 (despite this, Glasgow is still the UK’s fourth largest city). Large, bleak council estates in the city suburbs, poverty and widespread unemployment led to problems with the infamous razor gangs and a general malaise in the city. In recent years, Glasgow has picked up again and there seems to be a definite spring in its step. The city is turning its economic fortunes around, as heavy industry gives way to 21st-century technology, with call centres, financial services and information technology. Arguably, the driving forces of this revolution have been the cultural and artistic fields. Scottish film, theatre, writing, music and design are all pushing boundaries and capturing worldwide attention. The opening of the Burrell Collection in 1983 – housing an art collection gifted by a shipping magnate – inspired the growth of a thriving museum and gallery scene that has helped propel Glasgow into becoming a top tourist destination.

With a world-class art gallery and several excellent museums as a starting point, Glasgow was chosen as a European city of culture in 1990. From this point on, the various strands of its post-industrial economy and burgeoning cultural sector, combined with a large student population (there are four universities in the area and many colleges), have given the city a youthful, progressive character. For visitors that tire of the city’s delights, Glasgow offers easy access to some of Scotland’s beautiful mountains, glens, lochs and unspoilt coastline. Loch Lomond, for instance, is only 32km (20 miles) away.

The city’s northern latitude means that although summer days are long and light, the weather tends to be unpredictable throughout the year and can be particularly cold and wet in winter.

Getting There By Air

Glasgow International Airport (GLA)
Tel: (0141) 887 1111. Fax: (0141) 848 4586.
Website: www.baa.co.uk

The airport is located 13km (eight miles) to the west of the city centre. Glasgow International is Scotland’s busiest airport and the fourth busiest in the UK, with over seven million passengers per year, flying to 40 scheduled and 50 charter destinations.

Major airlines: The national carrier, British Airways (tel: (08705) 444 000; website: www.britishairways.com), is among the many airlines that serve Glasgow International. Other airlines include Air Canada, Air Malta, American Airlines, BMI Baby, BMI British Midland, Continental Airlines, easyJet, Go, Icelandair and KLMuk.

Airport facilities: These include bureaux de change, ATMs, left luggage, shops, duty-free shops, post office, buffet, bar, cafs, restaurants, tourist information and baby-care rooms. Wheelchairs, toilets and telephones for the disabled are also available. Car hire companies that are represented include Alamo, Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National.

Business facilities: Payphone, payfax and modem facilities are all available. The Glasgow Airport Business Centre (tel: (0141) 847 5450; fax: (0141) 847 5499) offers meeting rooms, conference facilities, an IT suite and full secretarial support.

Transport to the city: There are rail connections (see Getting There By Rail) to Glasgow Central station from Paisley Gilmour Street station, which is three kilometres (two miles) from the airport. There are approximately six-seven trains per hour, running 0630-2400 Monday-Saturday, and up to three trains per hour 0900-2400 Sunday (journey time – 11-15 minutes). Paisley Gilmour Street station is linked to the airport by bus 60 (see Public Transport in Getting Around), which runs every ten minutes, and bus 300, which runs hourly.

The M8 motorway links the airport with the city. Shuttle buses to Glasgow’s city centre cost 3.30 (5 return). Bus 905 is provided by Citylink and Fairline Coaches – branded Glasgow Airport Link (tel: (08705) 505 050; website: www.citylink.co.uk). Buses run 0600-2400, departing every ten minutes Monday-Friday between 0800-1800, every 15 minutes between 1800-2000 and every 30 minutes between 2000-2400. On Saturday, buses depart every 15 minutes between 0700-2000 and every 30 minutes between 2000-2400, while on Sunday services start at 0700 and run every 15 minutes until 2000 and every 30 minutes between 2000-2400. The buses drop passengers off at various stops, including the rail and bus station, on its journey to Glasgow’s city centre (journey time – approximately 20 minutes).

Metered taxis are available 24 hours a day from the front of the main terminal building – the flat fare to the city centre is 16 (journey time – 20 minutes). Cab Fly (tel: (0141) 848 4588) is the taxi management company for the airport.

Traveline (tel: (0870) 608 2608; website: www.traveline.org.uk) provides information on all public transport.

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport (PIK)
Tel: (01292) 511 000. Fax: (01292) 511 010.
Website: www.gpia.co.uk

Billing itself as ‘Scotland’s Independent Airport’, Prestwick International is located on the coast, 52km (32 miles) to the southwest of Glasgow, offering limited scheduled services as well as charter flights.

Major airlines: Budget airline Ryanair (tel: (0870) 156 9569; website: www.ryanair.com) operates ten flights per day to London Stansted, three to Dublin, two each to Paris and Brussels and one to Frankfurt. There is also an extensive summer and winter holiday charter programme to the western Mediterranean and the USA. No other passenger airlines serve the airport.

Airport facilities: Facilities include a tax- and duty-free shop, bureau de change, newsagent, gift shop, cafs and bars. Car hire is provided by Avis, Europcar, Hertz and National.

Business facilities: The Aviator Suite (tel: (01292) 511110; fax: (01292) 511120) has facilities for social functions, conferences and receptions.

Transport to the city: Prestwick Airport has its own railway station, which is connected to the airport by a covered walkway. ScotRail (tel: (08457) 550 033; website: www.scotrail.co.uk) operates a service with trains departing for Glasgow Central station every 30 minutes 0550-2358 Monday-Saturday and every hour on Sunday 0950-2307 (journey time – approximately 45 minutes). The fare is 5 for a single ticket or 8.80 return (6.40 off peak return).

The A77 (which becomes the M77) is the main road route to the city (journey time – 40 minutes). A coach service is provided by Stagecoach Western (tel: (01292) 613 700; website: www.stagecoast-westernbuses.co.uk), with buses running every 30-60 minutes. The hourly X77 Express Service runs 0640-1930 Monday-Saturday (no service on Sunday) and costs 3.70 (journey time – 50 minutes). The A4 Airbus runs every 30 minutes 0630-2315 Monday-Saturday (from 0700 on Saturday) and 0745-2230 on Sunday, costing 0.50 for those producing a valid flight itinerary (journey time – 1 hour 30 minutes).

Passengers of certain airlines flying from Prestwick International Airport are entitled to a 50% reduction in their ScotRail or Stagecoach fares to the airport from anywhere in Scotland – details are provided upon purchase of the airline ticket.

Taxis are available from Streamline Taxis (tel: (01292) 477 525) and cost approximately 35 for the half-hour journey to Glasgow’s city centre.

Approximate flight times to Glasgow: From London is 1 hour 15 minutes; from New York is 6 hours 50 minutes; from Los Angeles is 11 hours 40 minutes; from Toronto is 6 hours 40 minutes and from Sydney is 23 hours 5 minutes.

Arrival/departure tax: Included in the price of the ticket.

Getting There By Water

The River Clyde cuts right through the city with Port Glasgow located west of Glasgow. Although the port was vital to its success in previous centuries, there are currently no national or international passenger services operating directly from the city. However, ferry services operate from Northern Ireland and the Scottish islands to various Scottish ports in the vicinity. These include Cairnryan and Stranraer, both approximately 100km (62 miles) south of Glasgow, Troon, Ardrossan and Wemyss Bay, all around 35km (22 miles) to the southwest and west of the city, and Greenock, some 30km (19 miles) west along the River Clyde.

Clydeport (tel: (0141) 221 8733; fax: (0141) 248 3167; website: www.clydeport.co.uk) operates four ports in its 1165sq kilometre (450sq miles) jurisdiction, including Greenock, Glasgow, Ardrossa and the Hunterston Bulk Coal Terminal. The company is largely involved in cargo and handles some 7.5 million tonnes of cargo per annum. Ardrossan is a major ferry port on Scotland’s west coast, with a marina complex and passenger ferry terminal, while Greenock is equipped to handle large cruise ships, with a number of facilities including seating, refreshments, toilets, telephones, baggage handling and porters.

Ferry services: There are ferries from Northern Ireland to a number of Scottish ports on the west coat. P&O Irish Sea (tel: (0870) 242 4777, website: www.poirishsea.com or www.poferries.com) operate a Larne–Cairnryan service (journey time – 1 hour to 2 hours 15 minutes), Seacat Scotland (tel: (01292) 319 103; website: www.seacat.co.uk) sails between Belfast and Troon (journey time – 2 hours 30 minutes) and Stena Line (tel: (08705) 707 070; website: www.stenaline.co.uk) connects Belfast and Stranraer (journey time – 1 hour 45 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes). Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries (tel: (01475) 650 100; website: www.calmac.co.uk) runs inter-island services up and down Scotland’s West Coast.

Transport to the city: Troon, Stranraer, Ardrossan, Wemyss Bay and Greenock are all connected to Glasgow by rail, with services operated by Scotrail (tel: (0845) 755 0033; website: www.scotrail.co.uk). At Greenock Harbour there are shuttle buses and taxis available to take passengers to the train station for connections to Glasgow. National Rail Enquiries (tel: (08457) 484 950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides 24-hour information for all train companies in the Britain. The A77 runs north–south between Cairnryan and Glasgow.

Getting There By Road

Traffic in Britain drives on the left and overtakes on the right. Main roads are designated by a letter, followed by up to four numbers – an ‘M’ indicates a motorway, ‘A’ a major trunk road and ‘B’ a minor road. The speed limits are 113kph (70mph) on motorways, 97kph (60mph) on single-lane main roads and 48kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Seatbelts are compulsory and motorcyclists must wear helmets. The maximum amount of alcohol allowed in the blood while driving is 0.08%.

The minimum age for driving is 18 years. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in Britain for up to one year. Insurance is mandatory. In addition to licences or permits, overseas visitors using their own car should bring registration documents and check with their insurance company as to whether a Green Card is needed.

Breakdown service and general motoring information is available from the Automobile Association (tel: (0870) 600 0371; website: www.theaa.com), the Royal Automobile Club (tel: (08705) 722 722; website: www.rac.co.uk) and Green Flag (tel: (0800) 328 8772; website: www.greenflag.com).

Emergency breakdown services (toll free):
AA (0800) 887 766
RAC (0800) 828 282
Green Flag (0800) 400 600

Routes to the city: Glasgow is linked to Edinburgh by the M8 motorway – passing west to the airport and the Clyde Coast – and to England and Wales by the M74, which becomes the M6 further south, toward Manchester. From there, the M1 continues south to London. The Clyde Valley Tourist Route, a more scenic route that runs through the valley parallel to the M74, has distinctive brown and white signs to guide motorists.

Approximate driving times to Glasgow: From Edinburgh – 1 hour; Manchester – 3 hours 50 minutes; London – 7 hours.

Coach services: Coaches arrive at Buchanan Bus Station, Killermont Street (tel: (0141) 333 3708). The station is open Monday to Saturday 0630-2230 and Sunday 0700-2230. Information on all coach and public transport is provided by Traveline (tel: (0870) 608 2608; website: www.traveline.org.uk) and bookings are made with the individual operators.

Scottish Citylink Coaches (tel: (08705) 505 050 or (0141) 332 9644; fax: (0141) 332 8055; website: www.citylink.co.uk) offers regular commuter services between Glasgow, Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh (journey time – 70 minutes). Longer distance services from most major Scottish cities – including Campbeltown, Skye, Inverness and Aberdeen – are also available. National Express (tel: (08705) 808 080; fax: (0121) 622 6526; website: www.gobycoach.com) operates nationwide services from London, Manchester and other destinations.

Getting There By Rail

With incompetent administration and ongoing industrial action throughout Britain’s rail industry, delays and schedule changes occasionally occur. Rail service can also be pricey at peak times or if not booked in advance. Virgin Trains (tel: (08457) 222 333; website: www.virgintrains.co.uk), GNER (tel: (08457) 225 225; website: www.gner.co.uk) and Scotrail (tel: (0845) 755 0033; website: www.scotrail.co.uk) operate the majority of services to Glasgow. National Rail Enquiries (tel: (08457) 484 950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides 24-hour information for all train companies in Britain.

Glasgow is served by two main rail stations – Glasgow Central station, Argyle Street, has train services from London and other English cities, while Queen Street station, Queen Street, receives services from Edinburgh and the north of Scotland. Facilities at Glasgow Central include a travel centre, ATMs, bureau de change, left luggage, a customer lounge, shops, cafs and bars. Taxis and car hire are also available nearby, while buses link the station with Queen Street station and Buchanan bus station. Facilities at Queen Street station are a little more basic. However, this station is adjacent to the main shopping precinct.

Rail services: Virgin Trains operates West Coast mainline services to London Euston, while GNER runs services on the East Coast mainline route to London Kings Cross via Edinburgh. There are up to 15 direct services a day and the journey takes between 5 hours 20 minutes and 6 hours. ScotRail offers a night-train service on the ‘Caledonian Sleeper’ to Euston (journey time – approximately 7 hours). ScotRail also offers services from Oban, Fort William, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness, as well as a half-hourly service from Edinburgh (journey time – 50 minutes) to Queen Street station and from Carlisle, Largs, Lanark, Ayr, Kilmarnock, East Kilbride, Dumfries and Stranraer to Glasgow Central station.

Transport to the city: Queen Street station is close to Buchanan Street underground station and Glasgow Central station is close to St Enoch underground station. Both have low-level stations on the Glasgow suburban rail system and access to a number of bus lines, as they are located within the city centre.

Getting Around

Public Transport
Strathclyde Passenger Transport (tel: (0870) 608 2608, for the Traveline information hotline; website: www.spt.co.uk) is the region’s passenger transport authority and manages the underground. Information and tickets can also be obtained in person from the Travel Centre, St Enoch Square (Monday-Saturday 0830-1730) and at Buchanan bus station (Monday-Saturday 0630-2230 and Sunday 0700-2230). There are also Travel Centres at domestic arrivals at Glasgow Airport and Hillhead underground station.

Glasgow is served by a 15-station underground system known as the ‘Clockwork Orange’, which runs in a six-mile loop through the city centre and the West End, every four-eight minutes, Monday-Saturday 0630-2320 and Sunday 1100-1750. There are connections to overland rail services at Queen Street station via Buchanan Street underground and to commuter rail services at Partick station. Underground tickets cost 0.90 and are available for purchase from ticket machines or counters, which are located in the station.

The suburban commuter rail network, run by Scotrail (tel: (0845) 755 0033; website: www.scotrail.co.uk) on behalf of the SPT (see above), is the largest in Britain outside of London. Services run between 0630 and 2400, although different services vary, with later starts at the weekend. National Rail Enquiries (tel: (08457) 484 950; website: www.nationalrail.co.uk) provides 24-hour information on timetables and fares. Fares start at 0.85 within the city centre and are available for purchase from ticket machines or counters, which are located in the stations.

These services are complemented by an extensive bus network, which is provided by a number of competing operators. Services run roughly between 0600 and 2300 Monday-Friday, with a slightly later start at the weekend. However, some specific routes continue through the night. Fares start at 0.57 and rise to 1.07 for most journeys. Tickets are available for purchase (exact change only) from the driver.

The Discovery Ticket pass offers unlimited underground travel for one day for 1.70 (not valid before 0930 Monday-Saturday), while the Roundabout Ticket costing 3.50 allows for unlimited travel by train and underground for one day (not valid before 0900 Monday-Friday). The Daytripper Ticket costs 8 for one adult plus two children (14 for larger families) and is valid for the underground, rail, most buses and some ferries. Passes are available at Travel Centres and larger rail stations.

Taxis
Taxis are widely available and black hackney cabs can be hailed on the street. They are fairly expensive, with a 1.80 initial charge, followed by 2.40 for the first mile and 1.20 per mile thereafter. All are licensed and have meters fitted. Tipping is appreciated but not compulsory. The largest operator is Glasgow Wide TOA Ltd (tel: (0141) 429 2900; website: www.gwtoa.co.uk).

Limousines
Hollywood Limousines, 23 Commerce Street (tel: (0141) 429 4555/6; website: www.hollywoodlimousines.co.uk), offers chauffeur driven Hollywood Super Stretch limousines with complimentary champagne, refreshments and in-car entertainment. Prices start at 125 for a one-hour tour; hire for a day (eight hours) costs approximately 525.

Driving in the City
Glasgow’s city centre is fairly compact and most hotels are centrally located, so a car is not necessary for getting around. Nevertheless, general driving conditions, parking and access generally is good. The rush hours of 0700-0930 and 1600-1830 are best avoided.

There is a 24-hour car park at Concert Square, which is constantly manned. Parking prices are 0.10 per ten minutes for the first three hours and 0.10 per every five minutes thereafter. Parking overnight and all day on Sunday costs 1. For theatregoers, two ticket machines within the car park offer 1 tickets after 1800, which can be bought before going to the theatre. These are valid all evening.

Car Hire
The minimum age for hiring a car is 25 years – drivers aged 23-24 years might be able to hire a car, although an extra charge applies. Overseas driving licences and International Driving Permits are accepted. The hire price includes Legal Liability, Third Party and Public Liability, which is required by law.

In addition to a number of local car hire operators, Avis, 70 Lancefield Street (tel: (0141) 221 2827; website: www.avis.co.uk), Budget, Glasgow Airport (tel: (0141) 243 2047; website: www.budget.co.uk), Europcar, 38 Anderston Quay (tel: (0141) 248 8788; website: www.europcar.co.uk), Hertz, 138 Hydepark Street (tel: (0141) 248 7736; website: www.hertz.co.uk), National/Alamo, 76 Lancefield Quay, Strathclyde (tel: (0141) 204 1051; website: www.nationalcar.com), and Sixt Rent-a- car/Kenning, 1530 London Road, Parkhead (tel: (0141) 556 7471; website: www.e-sixt.com), are also represented in Glasgow.

Those hiring a car should expect to pay around 30-40 per day from the major car hire companies – local companies often offer cheaper deals.

Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are available for hire from West End Cycles, 16-18 Chancellor Street, Partick (tel: (0141) 357 1344). Hire rates are 12 for 24 hours, 25 for the weekend or 50 for one week.

There are plans to extend Greater Glasgow’s 100km (62-mile) cycling network to 375km (233 miles); it is linked to the 1600km (994-mile) National Cycle Network, which includes a path from Glasgow to Loch Lomond. Further information is available from the Cycling Development Project (tel: (0141) 287 9000; website: www.scottishcycling.org) and the Cyclists Touring Club (tel: (0870) 873 0060; website: www.ctc.org.uk), which has information on local cycling clubs. Sustrans (tel: (0131) 624 7660 or (01179) 290888; website: www.sustrans.org.uk) provides a list of free cycling publications and information on the National Cycle Network on its website.

Business

Business Profile
Once known for the massive shipbuilding yards on the banks of the Clyde and its giant locomotive works, Glasgow was one of the engines of the industrial revolution. Today, however, it is spearheading an altogether different revolution, with increasing strengths in the IT and service sectors. Currently, 84% of the city’s working population is employed in service activities, with 9% in the manufacturing sector (nearly half of which is in engineering) and 7% in construction. Glasgow is generally recognised as the Britain’s call-centre capital and is developing an ever stronger profile in areas of high technology, accounting services, technology-based financial operations and scientific and technological research – centred around the West of Scotland Science Park.

A growing number of Blue Chip companies are based in the city, including British Telecom, National Australian Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Scottish Mutual Assurance, Scottish Power, JP Morgan and Barclay Stockbrokers. The city is also home to the head offices and studios of BBC Scotland, Scottish Television and Channel 4’s ‘Nations and Regions’ office.

Glasgow is the commercial, retail, leisure and educational centre for half of Scotland’s population. The city’s GDP was 10.2 billion in 1998. The city has a resident labour force of around 266,200 people. Unemployment was 11.6% in November 2001 (considerably higher than the Scottish average of 6.6%), however, the non-participation rate was closer to 11%. The workforce is increasingly multi-lingual and includes a high number of university graduates.

The city’s central business district falls within the G1 and G2 post codes – around West George Street, St Vincent Street and Bothwell Street. There are also a number of business parks on the outskirts of the city. Glasgow has one of the most advanced fibre-optic telecommunications networks in Europe and ISDN connections are readily available.

Business Etiquette
Business travellers to Glasgow should find no surprises in the way in which business is carried out. The atmosphere is a little more relaxed than in cities such as London, although normal standards of business attire apply (suits, with ties for men) and punctuality is important. Most companies operate during standard business hours of Monday-Friday 0900-1700.

Clients are usually well entertained by their Glasgow hosts, most likely taken to lunch in a restaurant or pub – depending on the formality of the business meeting – or to a restaurant in the evening. It is not usual for clients to be invited to one’s home. If this is the case, however, visitors should take a gift of flowers, wine or whisky.

Sightseeing

Sightseeing Overview
In 1999, Glasgow was awarded the title of UK City of Architecture and Design, which attests to the great variety of high-quality design within the city, with Victorian, Regency, Art Nouveau and ultra-modern styles all represented. The most famous architect and designer associated with the city – and the one who has indelibly left his mark upon it – is Charles Rennie Mackintosh, born in Glasgow in 1868. Another notable architect was Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. In addition to the architecture on the streets, Glasgow is also justifiably famous for the artistic collections housed in its museums and galleries, most of which do not charge an admission fee.

Most of the city’s sights are situated on the north bank of the River Clyde. Here, central Glasgow’s street grid extends eastward to encompass the Merchant City. Within these two districts are the main shopping precincts, theatres and much of the nightlife, as well as The Lighthouse, Glasgow School of Art and Gallery of Modern Art. Further east, Glasgow Cathedral is overshadowed by the huge Necropolis, while to the north is Mackintosh’s Queen’s Cross Church.

Beyond the M8 motorway (which marks the centre’s western perimeter) is the green expanse of Kelvingrove Park – within its precincts sits the Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove. Overlooking the park are the grounds of the magnificent University of Glasgow, home to the Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House, with the studenty West End and the Botanic Gardens beyond. To the south of Kelvingrove, the ‘armadillo’ convention centre faces the Glasgow Science Centre on the Clyde’s south bank, while the Burrell Collection is situated in the more distant Pollok Country Park.

Tourist Information
Glasgow Tourist Information Centre
11 George Square
Tel: (0141) 204 4400. Fax: (0141) 221 3524.
E-mail: enquiries@seeglasgow.com
Website: www.seeglasgow.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 1000-1800 (May-Jun and Sep); Mon-Sat 0900-2000, Sun 1000-1800 (Jul-Aug); Mon-Sat 0900-1800 (Oct-Apr).

There is also a tourist information desk at Glasgow International Airport.

Passes
There are no tourist passes in Glasgow, seeing as most of the attractions are free. However, a leaflet entitled Glasgow’s Leading Attractions contains vouchers giving discounts to some attractions, such as the Willow Tea Rooms and a tour of the School of Art. This is available from the Tourist Information Centre.

Key Attractions

The Burrell Collection
The most famous of Glasgow’s art museums, The Burrell Collection is a donation of 8000 works of art from shipping magnate Sir William Burrell. In addition to paintings and drawings from the 15th to 19th century, the collection includes medieval European tapestries, stained glass and sculpture, as well as artworks from the Middle East and East Asia. The gallery opened in 1983, in the beautiful setting of Pollok Country Park. Also situated within the park is Pollok House, a fine old house owned by the National Trust for Scotland. A courtesy bus runs around the park, stopping at the Pollokshaws West station and going to the Burrell buildings. A timetable is on display at the station entrance to the park.

The Burrell Collection
Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Road
Tel: (0141) 287 2550. Fax: (0141) 287 2597.
Transport: Train from Glasgow Central station to Pollokshaws West station; bus 45, 47, 48 or 57.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 1000-1700, Fri and Sun 1100-1700.
Admission: Free.

Pollok House
Pollok Country Park, 2060 Pollokshaws Raod
Tel: (0141) 616 6410. Fax: (0141) 616 6521.
Website: www.nts.org.uk/pollok.html
Transport: Train from Glasgow Central station to Pollokshaws West station; bus 45, 47, 48 or 57.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700.
Admission: 5 (Apr-Oct); free (Nov-Mar); concessions available.

The Lighthouse
Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City was opened in summer 1999, as a key element of the 1999 City of Architecture and Design programme. The Lighthouse occupies the former Herald Building – designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1895 – and offers exhibition spaces for touring and special exhibits. It also houses the permanent Mackintosh Interpretation Centre, which profiles the architect’s work in the context of his contemporaries. The entrance fee includes access to the Mackintosh Tower, with its terrific views over the city.

11 Mitchell Lane
Tel: (0141) 221 6362. Fax: (0141) 221 6395.
E-mail: enquiries@thelighthouse.co.uk
Website: www.thelighthouse.co.uk
Transport: Underground St Enoch.
Opening hours: Mon and Wed-Sat 1030-1700, Tues 1100-1700, Sun 1200-1700.
Admission: 3 (concessions available).

Glasgow Science Centre
Echoing the silver curves of the ‘armadillo’ across the river, the GSC’s titanium clad shell houses the Science Mall, with hundreds of hands-on exhibits covering the spectrum of natural and applied sciences, from astronomy to bionics. The exhibitions range across three floors and are divided by theme – ‘exploration and discovery’, ‘science in action’ and ‘science and you’. A tunnel leads to the base of the 127m-high (417ft) Glasgow Tower, poised like a pencil standing on its tip. It is the only tower in the world that rotates to face the oncoming wind and although it offers stupendous views of the city, there is a fair bit of sway on the observation level; visitors who are afraid of heights might want to give it a miss. Rounding out the 75 million project is an IMAX Theatre.

50 Pacific Quay
Tel: (0141) 420 5000. Fax: (0141) 420 5011.
E-mail: admin@gsc.org.uk
Website: www.gsc.org.uk
Transport: Train to Exhibition Centre station and a walk across Bells Bridge; Cessnock underground; bus 24, 89 or 90.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (Science Mall); currently closed for maintenance (Glasgow Tower); daily 1200-2000 (IMAX).
Admission: 6.50 (Science Mall), 5.50 (Glasgow Tower or IMAX), 9.50 (combination ticket for any two attractions), 14 (combination ticket for all three attractions), concessions available.

People’s Palace
Purpose built in 1898, as a ‘palace of pleasure’ for the working classes, this museum now tells the story of the people of Glasgow. Exhibits cover everything from The Patter (the Glasgow dialect) to The Bevvy (the use of alcohol). The museum is both entertaining and informative. The winter garden – an enormous Victorian conservatory – is now a pleasant tea room.

Glasgow Green
Tel: (0141) 554 0223. Fax: (0141) 550 0892.
Website: www.glasgow.gov.uk
Transport: Belgrove or High Street station.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 1000-1700, Fri and Sun 1100-1700.
Admission: Free.

Glasgow School of Art
Designed by Mackintosh, the Glasgow School of Art was built in two phases, between 1897 and 1909, and is well worth a visit. Not only are there the architectural flourishes of the surprisingly airy building but also the library – containing all the original furnishings, except the chairs, which have been replaced by others designed by Mackintosh – and the Mackintosh Room, which has a selection of furniture designed for the houses he built. Since it is a working art school, admission is by guided tour only, at specified times. During the peak season, visitors are advised to reserve a place in advance.

167 Renfrew Street
Tel/fax: (0141) 353 4526.
E-mail: shop@gsa.ac.uk
Website: www.gsa.ac.uk/shop
Transport: Underground Cowcaddens.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1100 and 1400, Sat 1030 and 1130 (guided tours only); Sat 1300, Sun 1030, 1130 and 1300 (additional tours, Jul-Aug).
Admission: 5 (concessions available).

Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House
The art gallery at the University of Glasgow contains a substantial print collection – including works by Drer and Beardsley – and international paintings from the 17th century to the present. A faithful reconstruction of the house, in which Mackintosh and his wife lived from 1906 to 1914, complete with representative interior decoration and original furniture, is also part of the gallery.

82 Hillhead Street
Tel: (0141) 330 5431. Fax: (0141) 330 3618.
E-mail: hunter@museum.gla.ac.uk
Website: www.hunterian.gla.ac.uk
Transport: Underground Hillhead; bus 44 or 59.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1700 (art gallery); Mon-Sat 0930-1230 and 1330-1700 (Mackintosh House).
Admission: Free.

Art Gallery and Museum, Kelvingrove
This gallery and museum houses several displays, including a range of European paintings covering the 15th to the 17th centuries and the 1890s to the 1960s, as well as arms and armour and archaeology and natural history displays. The permanent Glasgow 1900 exhibition features paintings, furniture and decorative art objects dating from turn-of-the-century Glasgow. The museum is scheduled to close for refurbishment in spring 2003.

Kelvingrove, Argyle Street
Tel: (0141) 287 2699. Fax: (0141) 287 2690.
Transport: Underground Kelvin Hall; bus 6, 9, 16, 18, 42, 62 or 64; bus 45 and 57 go to and from the Burrell Collection.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 1000-1700, Fri and Sun 1100-1700.
Admission: Free.

Gallery of Modern Art
The Gallery of Modern Art, centrally located in the middle of Royal Exchange Square, offers an up-to-date vision within its four floors of gallery space. Showcasing the works of living artists, the gallery has an eye on the future, with interactive computers and art workshops.

Royal Exchange Square, Queen Street
Tel: (0141) 229 1996. Fax: (0141) 204 5316.
Transport: Underground St Enoch or Buchanan Street.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 1000-1700, Fri and Sun 1100-1700.
Admission: Free.

Further Distractions

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
This unusual museum has exhibitions that cover all the major religions and includes a Zen garden and Salvador Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross. A short walk away is the Necropolis, a cemetery modelled on Paris’ Pre Lachaise cemetery, where the great and the good of Glasgow are buried and also offering a great view over the city. A short walk from the St Mungo Museum is Glasgow Cathedral, founded by the city’s patron saint, St Kentigern (or Mungo), in the sixth century – the present building dates from the 14th century. On the other side of the road is the Provands’ Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow, which was built in 1471.

Castle Street, Cathedral Square
Tel: (0141) 553 2557. Fax: (0141) 552 4744.
Website: www.glasgowchurches.org.uk/stmungomuseum.html
Transport: Bus 11, 37 or 42.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs and Sat 1000-1700, Fri and Sun 1100-1700.
Admission: Free.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Visitors can get a breath of fresh air in Glasgow Botanic Gardens. The 17-hectare (42.5-acre) gardens provide a park-like setting for the glasshouses, the most notable of which is the Kibble Palace.

730 Great Western Road
Tel: (0141) 334 2422. Fax: (0141) 339 6964.
Transport: Underground Hillhead; bus 11, 20 or 59.
Opening hours: Daily 0700-sunset (gardens); all glasshouses are open daily 1000-1645 (summer) and 1000-1645 (winter).
Admission: Free.

Tours of the City

Walking Tours
The Scottish Tourist Guides Association (tel/fax: (01786) 447 784 or 451 953; website: www.stga.co.uk) provides guides who give walking tours of the city or the surrounding area. Tours must be pre-booked and prices start at around 72 for a half-day tour. Itineraries and meeting points are flexible. Glasgow Guides (tel: (01355) 302986) also provides guides who can be booked for city tours. Prices start at 30 for one and a half hours and again, itineraries and meeting points are flexible.

Other tour operators include Mercat Tours (tel/fax: (0141) 586 5378; fax: (0141) 586 5378; e-mail: info@mercat-glasgow.co.uk; website: www.mercat-glasgow.co.uk), which runs a 90-minute ‘Horror Walking Tour’ daily at 1930 (May-October). Tours set off from the tourist information office, on George Square, taking in Glasgow’s spookiest sights and costing 6.50 (7.50 with a drink – to settle the nerves).

For self-guided tours, an audio guide (website: www.walkabout-tours.com) is available for hire from the tourist information office in George Square and Market Street, all year round.

Bus Tours
Open-top bus tours covering the city’s main attractions are offered all year round by Scotguide (tel: (0141) 204 0444; fax: (0141) 248 6582; website: www.scotguide.com). The ‘Glasgow Tour’ costs 7.50 (concessions are available) and tickets are valid for 48 hours, so passengers can hop on and off at sites of interest along the route, which sets off from George Square. From April to October, Guide Friday (tel: (0141) 248 7644; website: www.guidefriday.com) offers a one-day hop-on, hop-off ticket for 7.50.

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society (tel: (0141) 946 6600; fax: (0141) 945 2321; website: www.crmsociety.com) offers various weekend coach tours of the city and its surrounds, visiting all of the buildings associated with the architect. Prices of 212 (double) or 254 (single) include two nights’ accommodation in a three-star hotel.

Other Tours
The P S Waverley (tel: (0845) 130 4647; fax: (0141) 248 2150; website: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk), the world’s last sea-going paddle steamer, explores the Firth of Clyde. Tours can be anything between one hour and 40 minutes to 16 hours, costing from 9.95 to 39. Departures are from the Waverley Terminal, Anderson Quay (June-August only).

Excursions

For a Half Day

Loch Lomond: Britain’s largest expanse of fresh water captures the Scottish landscape in microcosm. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (website: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org), Scotland’s first national park, is located some 20km (12 miles) northwest of Glasgow. Balloch is the largest town on Loch Lomond and is reachable by train from Queen Street station (low level). The Balloch Tourist Information Office (tel: (01389) 753 533; website: www.scottish.heartlands.org), open from April to October, provides further information. The office and a park orientation centre are situated in the Loch Lomond Shores visitor attraction and shopping complex.

For a Whole Day

New Lanark: Nominated as a World Heritage Site, this village is the realisation of idealistic social planning in the Industrial Age. Founded in 1785, near the Falls of Clyde, this cotton-spinning village has been restored as a living community and tourist attraction, with one of the mills being converted into a hotel. The New Lanark Visitor Centre (tel: (01555) 661 345; website: www.newlanark.org) has interpretative displays and the ‘New Millennium Experience’ ride – the 4.75 entrance fee (concessions are available) includes access to four other buildings on the site. Trains run from Glasgow Central station (low level) to Lanark, from where buses are available to New Lanark. The Lanark Tourist Information Centre, Horsemarket, Ladyacre (tel: (01555) 661 661; e-mail lanark@seeglasgow.com), is open from May to September and provides further information, including bus timetables and fares.

Edinburgh: This city, located approximately 50km (31 miles) east of Glasgow, is less than one hour away by train. This great Scottish city and apparent rival of Glasgow is famous for its brooding castle and riotous Hogmanay revelries to bring in the new year. The Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre, 2 Princes Street (tel: (0131) 473 3800; fax: (0131) 473 3881; e-mail: esic@eltd.org; website: www.edinburgh.org) provides further information and is open Monday-Saturday 0900-1700 (open later in summer). See the Edinburgh city guide for details.

Sport

Football is by far the most popular sport in the city and the rivalry between Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers, of the Scottish Premier League, is legendary. Celtic (website: www.celticfc.net) plays at Celtic Park, 95 Kerrydale Street (tel: (0141) 556 2611), while Rangers (website: www.rangers.co.uk) plays at Ibrox Stadium, 150 Edmiston Drive (tel: (0870) 600 1972). The other football teams are Partick Thistle (website: www.ptfc.co.uk), which plays at Firhill Stadium, 80 Firhill Road (tel: (0141) 579 1971), and Queen’s Park (tel: (0141) 632 1275; website: www.queensparkfc.co.uk), playing at Hampden Park, Mount Florida (tel: (0141) 616 6000), Scotland’s national stadium and the site of the Scottish Football Museum (tel: (0141) 616 6100; website: www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk). The museum is open Monday-Saturday 1000-1700 and Sunday 1100-1700, costing 5 (plus 2.50 for a tour). Concessions are available.

Shinty, or camanachd, is a Gaelic sport that is similar to field hockey. It is a hard-hitting, fast-paced game that dates back to the times of clan warfare. The Camanachd Association (website: www.shinty.com) provides further information. Other popular sports include golf and rugby, which is played at every level.

Ticketmaster (tel: (020) 7316 4709; website: www.scotland.ticketmaster.co.uk) sells tickets to sporting events. These are also available direct from the venues.

Fitness centres: The Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena, Argyle Street, Kelvingrove (tel: (0141) 357 2525; website: www.glasgow.gov.uk/cls), hosts a number of athletics events and offers a fitness suite with gym and aerobics sessions, a 200m (656ft) running track, badminton courts, climbing wall and health suite. A session costs 4.10.

For those who like their exercise with a little pampering, the Scotstoun Leisure Centre, 72 Danes Drive, Scotstoun (tel: (0141) 959 4000) and North Woodside Leisure Centre, 10 Braid Square, North Woodside (tel: (0141) 332 8102), both offer luxury health and fitness suites in addition to standard sport and leisure facilities.

Golf: There are over 80 golf courses in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley area, set on parkland, heathland and moorland. Nine of the courses are located within the city limits. St Andrew’s, where golf began, is a 90-minute drive away to the east (website: www.standrews.com or www.standrews.org.uk). Haggs Castle Golf Club, 70 Dumbreck Road (tel: (0141) 427 1157), has a par-72 course. There is a dress code and visitors are only welcome from Monday to Friday. Green fees are 40 per round and 50 per day. Lenzie Golf Club, 19 Crosshill Road, is 15 minutes from the centre of Glasgow and has an 18-hole course with views over Ben Lomond. Visitors are welcome and green fees are 30 per day. The gentlemen-only Pollok Golf Club, 90 Barrhead Road (tel: (0141) 632 4351; website: www.pollok.org), has a par-71 parkland course. There is a dress code and restricted entrance for visitors, who must be introduced by a member for play on weekdays only. The club charges green fees of approximately 35 per round or 45 per day.

Glasgow City Council (tel: (0141) 770 0519) operates a number of nine- and 18-hole courses throughout the city. There are no restrictions on visitor times but a course must be booked 24 hours in advance and costs 7.70 (concessions are available).

Tennis: There are a number of public tennis courts located in Maryhill, Queens Park, Victoria Park, Kelvingrove Park, Drumchapel and Knightswood. The Glasgow City Coucil (tel: (0141) 770 0519) can provide further information.

Shopping

Glasgow is the largest retail centre in the UK, outside of London. The vibrant shopping district in the heart of the city is focused around the pedestrianised areas of Buchanan Street, Argyll Street and Sauchiehall Street. Argyll Arcade, one of Britain’s oldest covered shopping arcades, built in 1827, is home to 32 jewellery shops, while the Buchanan Galleries (website: www.buchanangalleries.co.uk) is one of Britain’s largest city centre retail projects. Other highlights include the refurbished St Enoch Centre (website: www.stenoch.co.uk), the Designer Exchange, off Royal Exchange Square, and Princes Square, set in a renovated 1841 square.

The Merchant City area and the West End have a wealth of unique bookshops, antique stores and second-hand clothing emporia. The Barras – the open-air street market between Gallowgate and London Road in the East End – is open for business at the weekend, 0900-1700, for the sale of antiques, bric--brac, clothing, food, CDs, books and just about anything a shopaholic could think of.

Popular ‘traditional’ purchases include woollens, tartan scarves and kilts, Celtic jewellery, golfing equipment and, of course, whiskey. Articles with Art Nouveau ‘Mackintosh’ motifs are a stylish alternative. The Whiskey Shop in Princes Square has a comprehensive collection of fine malts as well as other liqueurs and whiskey flavoured souvenirs and gifts.

In general, shops are open Monday to Saturday 0900-1730/1800. Many shops are open later on Thursday and most of the larger chain stores are open on Sunday.

A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 17.5% is included in the price of many goods. Under the Retail Export Scheme, overseas visitors can obtain tax relief on goods if leaving the country for destinations outside the EU. A form should be obtained at the time of purchase and submitted to the customs authority at the point of departure.

Culture

In recent years, Glasgow’s rediscovered exuberance has been expressed by a new wave of Scottish writers, an energetic live music scene and the flourishing of contemporary art and design.

Tickets to cultural events are available from the venues or from Ticketmaster (tel: (020) 7316 4709; website: www.scotland.ticketmaster.co.uk). The main guide to cultural events is The List (website: www.list.co.uk).

Music: Glasgow has a healthy popular and independent music scene (see the Nightlife). High culture is also well represented, from September to April, by two symphony orchestras and Scotland’s national opera company. Scottish Opera (tel: (0141) 248 4567; fax: (0141) 221 8812; website: www.scottishopera.org.uk), is the largest performing arts organisation in Scotland, performing at the Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street (tel: (0141) 332 9000; fax: (0141) 332 4477; website: www.theatreroyalglasgow.com). The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (tel: (0141) 226 3868; fax: (0141) 221 4317; website: www.rsno.org.uk) is Scotland’s leading symphony orchestra. Its popular Proms concerts take place in June, at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street (tel: (0141) 353 8000; fax: (0141) 353 8001; website: www.grch.com). The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (tel: (0141) 338 2606; fax: (0141) 307 4312; website: www.bbc.co.uk/bbcsso) can be seen live at the City Hall, on Candleriggs, in the Merchant City (tel: (0141) 287 5511; fax: (0141) 287 5533). This is also the Glasgow home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (website: www.sco.org.uk). The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), 100 Renfrew Street (tel: (0141) 332 4101; fax: (0141) 332 8901; website: www.rsamd.ac.uk), puts on a wide range of performing arts productions.

Theatre: Glasgow has over a dozen theatres and performance venues showcasing local pieces and a variety of contemporary works as well as old favourites and touring productions. The 600-seat Citizen’s Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street (tel: (0141) 429 0022; fax: (0141) 429 7374; website: www.citz.co.uk), is one of the best places for theatregoers to witness groundbreaking contemporary drama and re-workings of foreign and historical pieces. The Circle and The Stalls are studio venues on the same site. The late-19th-century facade of the King’s Theatre, 297 Bath Street (tel: (0141) 248 5153), belies the lively musicals that are performed inside.

Dance: The Scottish Ballet (tel: (0141) 331 2931; fax: (0141) 331 2629; website: www.scottishballet.co.uk) performs at the Theatre Royal, 282 Hope Street (tel: (0141) 332 9000; fax: (0141) 332 4477; website: www.theatreroyalglasgow.com), and is Scotland’s national dance company.

Film: The Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT), 12 Rose Street (tel: (0141) 332 8128; website: www.gft.org.uk), an Art Deco landmark, is a repertory cinema with a varied programme of foreign, independent, arthouse, classic and popular films. Mainstream cinemas in the city include a state-of-the-art, 12-screen multiplex off Paisley Road, Odeon at the Quay (tel: (0141) 418 0111 or (0870) 505 0007; website: www.odeon.co.uk) and the new UGC Renfrew Street, 7 Renfrew Street (tel: (0870) 907 0789), near the main shopping precinct.

An increasing number of films are shot and produced in Glasgow each year. Large parts of the hit films, Shallow Grave (1994) and Trainspotting (1996), were filmed here, as was Small Faces (1996), which captures the gang violence on a Glasgow housing estate in 1968. Carla’s Song (1996) and the more recent, My Name is Joe (1998), both directed by Ken Loach, were also filmed and set in Glasgow. The 1999 release, Ratcatcher (1999), is an atmospheric portrayal of the city’s poorer side, seen through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy in the 1970s.

Cultural events: The Celtic Connections festival is a showcase of all styles of Celtic music, featuring international and local musicians. The concerts take place over two weeks in late January at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and other venues. A traditional ceilidh offers the participants a chance to don the kilt and enjoy a lively evening of Scottish music and dancing. More conservative music can be heard during the World Pipe Band Championships (tel: (0141) 221 5414), in mid-August, on Glasgow Green. The West End Festival (tel: (0141) 341 0844), is held from mid- to late June, featuring the Midsummer Carnival Parade as well as music, theatre and exhibitions. Outside the city, there are a number of annual festivals, including the Bearsden and Milngavie (pronounced ‘Miln-guy’) Highland Games (tel: (0141) 942 5177) and Lanimer Day in Lanark (tel: (01555) 661 661), both in June.

Literary Notes
Traditional Scottish heritage continues to influence the cultural scene in Glasgow and remains a source of intense pride. There is a deep-rooted attachment to Scottish literature and poetry, particularly the works of Robert Burns, celebrated each year on Burns Night (25 January). The Mitchell Library, on North Street, has a large collection of his poetry in its Robert Burns Room.

Glasgow has drawn the praise of a number of literary admirers, including Daniel Defoe, Sir John Betjeman, who described it as the most perfect Victorian city centre in the UK, and Bill Bryson, who voted Glasgow as his favourite city in Britain.

In the past couple of decades, Glasgow has experienced something of a literary renaissance. Lanark (1981), Alisdair Gray’s debut novel, set in a fictional version of Glasgow and combining elements of fantasy, science fiction, autobiography and social realism, has become a cult classic. William McIlvanney’s Laidlaw crime novels are set in Glasgow, as is James Kelman’s Booker Prize-winning How Late It Was, How Late (1994), which traces the life of a down-on-his-luck Glaswegian, through stream-of-consciousness Scots dialect.

Nightlife

Unlike England and Wales, licensing laws in Scotland allow for much variation – bars may stay open all day, until 2400 or only between 1230-1430 and 1830-2300, while clubs are often open as late as 0300, although last entry is usually at 0100. There are over 700 pubs and bars in the city – evidence that Glaswegians like a tipple now and again – as well as numerous nightclubs catering for all musical tastes. A number of the venues listed below blur the boundaries, morphing from bar to club and often serving very decent meals as well.

The nightlife scene varies from the student hangouts of the West End to style bars in the Merchant City – Downtown lies between the two, both geographically and in terms of venues. The minimum drinking age is 18 and there are generally no dress codes, although smarter clubs may not permit jeans or trainers. If there is a cover charge, it is usually 3-5 on weeknights and higher on the weekend, depending on the venue. Sinking a pint or a mixed drink costs around 2.

Tickets for most events can be purchased at Virgin Megastore, Buchanan Street (tel: 0141) 353 2993) or through the Ticket Centre (tel: (0141) 287 5511 or (0870) 040 4000). The main guide to going out is The List (website: www.list.co.uk). A selection of its listings is currently available online in the ‘This Month’ section of Time Out’s Glasgow pages (website: www.timeout.com/glasgow).

Bars: The city’s greatest concentration of bars is on the cobblestone Ashton Lane, a favourite haunt of students in the West End. Elsewhere, The Horseshoe, 17 Drury Street, has the longest continuous bar in the city, although it is still difficult to get a place there at the weekend. Bargo, 80 Albion Street, is a popular pre-clubbing venue with a stylish industrial interior in the Merchant City. Bar 10, 10 Mitchell Lane, just off Buchanan Street in the heart of the city, is a popular and stylish bar, serving food. Spy Bar, 153 Bath Street, is a happening pre-club hangout, with DJs at the weekend. The newly revamped Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street (website: www.cca-glasgow.com), attracts an arty crowd to the bar and terrace facing onto Scott Street – the CCA has club nights as well.

Casinos: The main gambling venues include the Stanley Berkeley Casino, 506-516 Sauchiehall Street, and the Gala Riverboat Casino, 61 Broomielaw. Dress code is smart and only those over 18 years are allowed entrance. As with all casinos in the UK, membership – which must be applied for with appropriate ID, at least 24 hours in advance – is required. Membership for the above casinos is free.

Clubs: As in most cities, the club scene in Glasgow is ever evolving and the music and atmosphere of a venue can change from night to night. Check out The List or get some local advice if you do not like surprises. The Tunnel, 84 Mitchell Street, is a large club with top DJs spinning different styles of house, with a more eclectic mix in the second room, while Archaos and Yang, 25-37 Queen Street, offers everything from R&B, dance and house music over its five floors of space. The Arches (website: www.thearches.co.uk), located in a cavernous brick-vaulted space at 253 Argyle Street, below the railway tracks, has club nights in addition to live bands and theatre. The Corinthian, 191 Ingram Street, and nearby Art, 13 Walls Street, are both happening spots in the Merchant City, serving food as well as tunes. The Polo Lounge, 84 Wilson Street, is a popular gay club, playing a mix of camp dance tunes and 80s pop sounds.

Live music: Large-scale pop and rock concerts take place at the Clyde Auditorium in the SECC, off junction 19 of the M8, with its own dedicated railway station (trains depart from Glasgow Central station), as well as at the Barrowland, 244 Gallowgate, near the Barras market. Up-and-coming bands play at the venerable King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, 272A St Vincent Street (website: www.kingtuts.co.uk), where the Mancunian band, Oasis, was discovered. The Bar Fly Club, 260 Clyde Street is another good spot, with a range of styles. Jazz acts perform occasionally at Brel, 39-43 Ashton Lane.

The best bet for folk music is the annual Celtic Connections festival (see Culture). Throughout the year, The Riverside Club, 33 Fox Street, hosts ceilidh dances at the weekend, drawing an energetic crowd. Molly Malone’s, 224 Hope Street, has live Irish music nightly, ranging from traditional folk to Celtic rock, while Park Bar, 1202 Argyle Street, is a good spot for Highland sounds at the weekend. Scotia Bar and Clutha Vaults, both on Stockwell Street, are great pubs with authentic folk music thrown in for good measure.

City Statistics

Location: West-central Scotland, United Kingdom.
Country dialling code: 44.
Population: 611,440 (city); 1.7 million (metropolitan area).
Ethnic mix: 96.5% white, 2.5% Asian, 1% Black, Chinese and other ethnic groups.
Religion: Church of Scotland majority, Presbyterian and Catholic faiths also represented.
Time zone: GMT (GMT + 1 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 240 volts AC, 50Hz; square three-pin plugs are standard.
Average January temp: 3.5C (38F).
Average July temp: 14.5C (58.5F).
Annual rainfall: 889mm (35 inches).

Special Events

Celtic Connections, late Jan-early Feb, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and other venues
Burns Night, literary event in celebration of poet Robert Burns, 25 Jan, various venues
New Territories, early Feb-mid Mar, The Arches, festival of live arts
Dive Scotland, late Mar, SEEC
Glasgow International Comedy Festival, mid Mar-early Apr, various venues
Guitarfest, early Apr, masterclasses and workshops, Ramshorn Theatre
Bearsden and Milngavie Highland Games, Jun, Milngavie
Winter Gardens Prom, Jun, People’s Palace
Royal Scottish National Orchestra Proms, Jun, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
The Lord Provost’s Procession, Jun, various venues
West End Festival, music, theatre, exhibitions and the Midsummer Carnival Parade, Jun, various venues
Glasgow International Jazz Festival, late Jun-early Jul, various venues
World Pipe Band Championships, mid Aug, Glasgow Green
Glasgow Show, Aug, Victoria Park, garden and flower show
Doors Open, 1-30 Sep, various venues, free entry to buildings usually closed to the public
Glasgay! Gay and Lesbian Arts Festival, late Oct-early Nov, various venues
Shine on Glasgow, Christmas shopping festival, Nov-Dec
Glasgow on Ice, open-air skating rink, 1-24 Dec, George Square
Glasgow’s Hogmanay, New Year’s Eve celebrations, 31 Dec, George Square and other venues

Cost of Living

One-litre bottle of mineral water: 0.80
33cl bottle of beer: 1.25
Financial Times newspaper: 1
36-exposure colour film: 4.99
City-centre bus ticket: 0.55-1.05
Adult football ticket: 18-22
Three-course meal with wine or beer: 15-45

1 British Pound Sterling (1) = US$1.90; C$2.38; A$2.45; 1.48
Currency conversion rates as of May 2005