Attractions

In the heart of Glasgow lies George Square, site of the Gallery of Modern Art, which houses a collection of contemporary Scottish art. On the Glasgow Green, the People's Palace showcases the city's social and political history, while the tomb of St. Mungo, the city's patron saint and founder (6th century), is located at Glasgow Cathedral, erected as of the 12th century. Near the cathedral is the oldest house in town (15th century), referred to as Provand's Lordship.

The Lighthouse houses Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design and the City. It is also home to the Mackintosh Interpretation Centre, in reference to famous architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, born in Glasgow in 1868. Several of his works can be admired in various places and squares throughout the city, including the Glasgow School of Art, located near the Lighthouse.

Noteworthy among the city's other museums are the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum, which exhibits the works of such illustrious artists as Van Gogh, Monet and Rembrandt; the Museum of Paisley, which features the world's largest collection of paisley shawls; the Museum of Transport and the Museum of Piping.

Pollok Country Park, located in the southern Glasgow suburb of the same name, is home to the Pollok House (18th century), as well as the impressive Burrell Collection, bequeathed to the city by Sir William Burrell, an avid collector of objets d'art throughout his venerable life.

Going Out

Thanks to Glaswegian Charles Macintosh, the inventor of the umbrella, outings in drizzly Glasgow prove to be less trying. A very lively city come nightfall, the "dear green place" is home to a great number of pubs, wine bars, traditional teashops and cafés. Pubs are legion here, some of which remain very traditional while others are more modern and offer live music.

All year-round, Greater Glasgow hosts a cornucopia of rock shows, evenings at the opera and classical-music concerts, as well as plays and dance performances.

Local restaurants offer gourmands a wide range of culinary delights, from traditional Scottish fare to Thai, Indian and Mexican food.

Held every weekend is a huge and very popular street market known as the Barras. The place literally has it all, from food and clothing to furniture and a host of items each more unusual than the last.

Where on earth

Glasgow is located in western Scotland, 50 km (30 mi) west of Edinburgh. The River Clyde winds through the city before flowing into the Irish Sea. Glasgow has a population of 750,000, with more than twice that in its metropolitan area.