The largest city in Scotland and according to some of its residents the country's real capital, Glasgow has culture, traditions and incredible architecture on a huge scale. Located on the banks of the famous River Clyde, none would deny that this major city is unquestionably Scotland's style capital at the very least!
Along with more than 30 museums and art galleries littering the city centre, Glasgow's unique shops, cutting-edge building designs and culture-rich theatres are simply mind-blowing. The city also boasts an extensive annual event calendar, with national and global music and sporting events frequenting here as a city of choice. Sports fans have a wealth of opportunities to see premier class football, rugby and even ice hockey in the city. If you want a taste of Scottish tradition, try a game of Shinty - a game similar to Irish hurling and field hockey.
The history stretches right back to the Stone Age, though it is the primarily Art Nouveau style of today's Glasgow that the city is famous for. And of course, the breath-taking Scottish countryside rests just outside the city within easy reach, while less than one-hour behind the wheel is all it takes to pay a visit to nearby Edinburgh.
For centuries, ship-building was the key industry in Glasgow, and today there is still some maritime construction going on at BAE Systems Maritime - Naval Ships' two shipyards. This, however, is a hollow echo of the massive industry that once dominated the city. Today, Glasgow's tourism trade is one of its primary sources of economic wealth, and as such visitors are exceptionally well catered for.
It had done a spectacular job in separating itself from the tired-old cliches about dull, bland and bad-for-the-health Scottish food, becoming a gastronomic utopia for the nation. All tastes and budgets are catered to, from the high-end bars dotted around the Merchant City Area to the relaxed eateries found along Byres Road.
Shopping-wise it is difficult to put Glasgow into words - suffice to say the city is second only to London in terms of opportunities and importance. Buchanan Galleries and Princes Square remain firm favourites for those looking to escape the High Street, while Sauchiehall Street delivers a dose of the conventional mainstream.
