Our Destinations

Glasgow

View more cities:

What's on in Glasgow

Travel by train to Glasgow from London, York and Newcastle with East Coast for cheaper train fares.

Jul/Aug/Sept

The Merchant City Festival, which last year enjoyed its biggest attendance ever, is moving to a new time slot. Traditionally held in September, it’s now taking place at the height of summer (22-25 Jul), so make a date in your diary to catch the ebullient parade, live bands and sell-out shows in the area’s top venues.

Hot on its trail is the Glasgow Show (31 Jul-1 Aug), an exhilarating weekend of live music, daredevil motorsport displays, dance and theatre performances and countryside activities at Glasgow Green. Included in the line-up are the Rockin’ Horse Stunt Team, The Golden Lions Freefall Team, Russ Swift’s Precision Driving Team—and Bob the Builder!

Discover a passion for traditional Scottish music at Piping Live! (9-15 Aug), an annual festival that draws top musicians from all over the world. Highlights include The After Worlds Shindig, featuring The Treacherous Orchestra, Breabach and the legendary pipes of Fred Morrison; gaelic group Capercaillie & friends, and The World Pipe Bands Championships on Glasgow Green.

The annual Glasgow Doors Open Days has expanded to last almost a whole week, so from 14-17 September you can attend walks, talks and seminars celebrating Glasgow’s architecture, rivers and parks, and over the weekend of 18-19 September you can sneak a peek in over 100 extraordinary buildings, including the historic Fairfield Shipyard Offices and the vaults of Glasgow Museums Resource Centre.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake

28 September-2 October

Forget men in tights: in this award-reaping production the entire male corps wears feathery bloomers. There’s a reason why this has become the longest-running ballet in the West End and on Broadway: technical mastery, dynamic choreography, extravagant Lez Brotherston sets, character comedy. Don’t miss.

ambassadortickets.com/Theatre-Royal-Glasgow

Black Watch

15 September-9 October

The National Theatre’s acclaimed play, based on interviews by Gregory Burke with soldiers who served in Iraq, reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment and the war on terror, and how it feels to journey home again.

ticketsoup.com

Scottish Glass

From August – check website for dates

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of glassmaking in Scotland, Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is showcasing over 70 pieces from the early 18th century to the present day, including bottles, Venetian-inspired glass, fine engraved glass, late 20th-century art glass and paperweights.

glasgowmuseums.com

5 things to see and do in Glasgow

The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour

The Glenlee, a splendidly restored 1896 steel sailing vessel built for the Glasgow shipping firm, Archibald Sterling & Co, is one of the last tall ships of her kind. Go aboard to visit the galley, take the wheel, explore the cargo hold, discover what the crew ate and what it was like to command a ship in mid-ocean.
Hunterian Museum

There are over a million objects at Scotland’s oldest and possibly most remarkable public museum. Look out for highlights such as the world’s smallest dinosaur footprint, a spectacular giant Chinese map of the earth, made in 1764, the “Bearsden Shark” fossil, and the famous Lady Shep-en-Hor mummy.
The Hampden Experience

This family day out includes the Scottish Football Museum, with over 2,500 footie-related objects spread over 14 galleries, and a stadium tour that takes you into the team changing rooms and Hotshots gallery, where you can have a go striking a ball, then up the stairs to the cup presentation area, following in the footsteps of legends.
The Willow Tea Rooms

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed tea rooms, which opened in 1904, offer a taste of a bygone era. Enjoy an elegant cuppa there, while marvelling at the beautiful designs, of which the jewel in the crown is the Room de Luxe with its silver furniture and leaded glasswork.
Loch Lomond Sea Life Aquarium

Discover the denizens of the deep and enjoy close-up views of everything from humble starfish to rays, clownfish, sharks and otters. Don’t miss the colourful new tropical ocean tank, Turtle Reef, patrolled by one of the marine world’s most ancient and magical creatures. The aquarium is five minutes from Balloch station.

Comprehensive guide and accommodation ideas for Glasgow.

Near the station

Greaves Sports - 23/25 Gordon Street, G1 3PW

Greaves Sports stocks a wide variety of sporting goods so you’re sure to find that replica shirt, specialist equipment or running shoe that you’ve had your eye on. Covering everything from cricket, rugby and football to swimming and racquet sports, the store is a sporting Mecca.

Orro Jewellery Store - 12 Wilson Street, G1 1SS

Orro sells a range of contemporary jewellery, using precious and non-precious stones, along with chic digital and analogue watches.

Rubadub Record and Music Store - 35 Howard Street, G1 4BA

A music store run by serious music lovers, Rubadub specialises in independent records, vinyl, turntable and studio recording equipment. They also stock an interesting collection of music CDs, DVDs and merchandise.

Amarone - 2 Nelson Mandela Place, G2 1BT

For fine Italian cuisine, look no further than Amarone, which serves a delightful mix of superb, classic dishes in a comfortable, modern setting. Its location and renowned service make it a favourite pre-theatre dining location.

D’Arcys - Princes Square, G1 3JN

Tastefully decorated and offering a wholesome bistro menu, D’Arcys is ideal for a light meal that can be complemented with a bottle of wine from the well-stocked bar.

Grill on the Corner - 21-25 Bothwell Street, G2 6NL

Sometimes there is nothing that quite hits the spot like a well-cooked, quality steak—something that the Grill on the Corner understands perfectly. It offers a wide selection of steaks including ribeye, sirloin and the exclusive Wagyu “Kobe” fillet as well as seafood dishes.

Blue Dog -151 West George Street G2 2JJ

The Blue Dog is a relaxed venue with a retro interior, jazz-inspired atmosphere and killer cocktail list, plus regular live jazz groups.

The Counting House Pub - 2 St Vincent’s Place, G1 2DH

Housed in a beautifully converted bank building, the Counting House is a pub that understands good value and serves a wide range of drinks at very decent prices. Overlooking St George’s Square in the heart of Glasgow, this is a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike.

The Pot Still - 154 Hope Street, G2 2TH

Dating from 1835 and with a long public house history, the Pot Still is an award-winning whisky bar with a burgeoning reputation. Serving everything from single malts, pure/blended malts, single-grain and blended whiskies, the venue offers the chance to explore a selection of rare drinks.

Glasgow Cathedral - Castle Street, G4

Visit the magnificent Glasgow Cathedral with its awe-inspiring nave and collection of modern stained-glass windows.

Glasgow Rangers Ibrox Stadium Tour - 150 Edmiston, G51

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium of one of Scotland’s most famous football teams. The tours include exclusive access to the home changing rooms as well as the chance to explore the Trophy Room.

Willow Tea Rooms - 97 Buchanan Street, G1 3HF

Ever wondered about the refinement of the early 20th-century tea rooms? The renowned art-deco Willow Tea Rooms allow you to step back in time and enjoy a delicious spread of tea, croissants, sandwiches and desserts.