Discover Glasgow through its diverse forms of culture: Kelvingrove brings together art, natural and human history; the Riverside Museum focuses on transport and technology. The city also has an active cathedral, historic gardens, a planetarium and markets featuring local goods. This range offers several perspectives on the city – from collections and architectural history to everyday life at the market.
Art, Collections and the History of Technology
Kelvingrove opened in 1901 as part of the International Exhibition in Glasgow and became Glasgow’s municipal art gallery and museum in 1902. Its collections include fine art and design, natural history, arms and armour, human history and Ancient Egypt. The museum holds temporary exhibitions, educational programmes and events throughout the year; the specific programme changes. If you are planning your visit around a particular event, it is worth checking the latest dates.
The Burrell Collection offers more than 90 digital displays, as well as interactive and immersive experiences for visitors. Interactive displays feature Chinese ceramics from various dynasties, medieval stained glass and Impressionist paintings. Presentations may change. By car, the Burrell Collection can be reached via 2060 Pollokshaws Road and Junction 2 of the M77; check access details before setting off.
The Riverside Museum is located at the confluence of the Rivers Kelvin and Clyde. Its transport and technology collections reflect Glasgow’s contributions to shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. Here, you can encounter industrial history through concrete themes such as ships, trains and technological development.
The Mackintosh Tearooms are located in elaborately restored tea rooms dating from 1903. Today, they serve as a visitor centre, exhibition space and gift shop – combining a historic space with contemporary use.
The Cathedral and Victorian Heritage
Today’s Glasgow Cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. It is the only cathedral on mainland Scotland to have survived the Reformation with its fabric fully intact. The tomb of St Mungo is in its crypt. The cathedral is also still an active parish church of the Church of Scotland; worship has been held there continuously for fourteen centuries. Service times may change.
The Glasgow Necropolis offers another perspective on the city’s history. This historically significant Victorian cemetery covers around 15 hectares. Guided tours share stories of some of the approximately 50,000 people buried there. Its approximate size and the personal perspective offered by the tours provide two different ways to understand this place.
Gardens, Planetarium and Markets
The Glasgow Botanic Gardens were founded in 1817 and opened at their present site in 1842. Admission is free and they are open to the public; check access details before your trip. The Kibble Palace houses the National Collection of Tree Ferns, as well as carnivorous plants, sculptures and a koi pond. The gardens thus bring together their history with botanical collections and other exhibits.
The planetarium at the Glasgow Science Centre uses a digital fulldome projection system, with live shows hosted by astronomers. Fulldome films are shown on a 15-metre hemispherical dome. As the programme changes over time, check the latest dates for a particular show.
The markets differ in both their offerings and market days. Merchant Square Market has stalls selling crafts and design goods, including jewellery, candles, cards, artwork and photographs handmade in Glasgow. Individual traders may vary. The Rail Yard hosts a weekly farmers’ market every Saturday, offering produce, baked goods, gifts and crafts from local producers.
Park Lane Market in Glasgow’s Southside features local traders, food and live music; it takes place on the first, second and last Sunday of the month. The markets in Partick in the West End and Shawlands in Glasgow’s Southside offer Scottish produce such as seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat, local cheeses and street food. The two markets take place on alternate Saturdays. Traders and programmes may vary; check the current market days if a particular market is important to your plans.
Explore Glasgow
Explore Glasgow on foot, by bike or by public transport using routes, trails and themed itineraries. Cycling is considered a convenient way to explore the city. As individual routes and itineraries may change, check specific details before setting off on your ride or walk.
Discover more destinations: Glasgow, Carmunnock, Balmaha, Moray, Falkirk, Highland, Angus, Fife.
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