Edinburgh “tries” to steal the attention in Scotland, as locals of Glasgow will claim. Tall tale or not, Glasgow is Edinburgh’s opposite. Scotland’s biggest city is also one of the hippest in all of Europe with its large student population and rich live music scene. As Edinburgh raising pinkies in the air to hold that teacup, Glasgow grabs a few pints at the corner bar, soaking in its history and sound, but never with a nose in the air.
Many come to Glasgow for its extensive and impressive museums. The most famous art museum in the entire city resides at the hands of the Burrell Collection. Holding 8,000 works of art donated by Sir William Burrell, the Burrell Collection differentiates from the rest with 15th to 19th century paintings. Visitors can explore medieval European tapestries, art from the Middle East and East Asia, along with blinding stained glass.
Rivaling the Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum hosts one of the best collection of Scottish and European art. The museum is the most visited establishment outside of London. The Kelvingrove clouds in Scottish history, Viking influence, European paintings, Egyptian treasures, and the cherished Christ of St. John the Cross by Salvador Dali.
When it comes to being dark and imposing, the Glasgow Cathedral outdoes the rest in its gloomy disposition. The Cathedral possesses a rare timelessness in its pre-Reformation Gothic architecture. The Glasgow Cathedral is also a survivor. It is the only mainland Scottish cathedral to make it out of the Reformation, 14th century timber and all.
The city lives and breathes throughout Barras on Gallowgate. Glasgow’s flea market rests in the heart of the city. Travelers can peruse nearly 1,000 stalls of goods. More modern shopping carries out in the city’s theater district surrounding George Square. Apart from shoppers toting their bags, visitors can admire a number of statues dressing the square.
Palaces and gardens go hand in hand in Glasgow. The People’s Palace and Winter Gardens ironically chronicles the story of Glasgow’s people. Travelers can gain insight into the Patter, Glasgow dialect, the Bevy and the use of alcohol. The Winter Gardens spread out in Victorian conservatory fashion. Today the space functions as a pleasant and pleasing tea room for a cup or two post palace visit. Visitors that want more of the city’s greenery can head to the Botanic Gardens. Lush green grounds crowd in tropical species and wooded gardens. The Botanic Gardens of Glasgow snake along the Riverbank.
What was once an important shipbuilding center liberates from Scotland’s capital city. Turning up the volume with hipsters and an edgy bar scene, Glasgow still manages to juggle both cutting edge and tradition. One of the oldest settlements in Western Europe may not be Edinburgh with its castles and sliver spoons, but therein lays Glasgow’s appeal. Anyone can fit in here amidst Scotland’s down to earth metropolis.
