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Glasgow

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What's on in Glasgow

Jan/Feb/Mar

If you're football crazy, book tickets to be in with a chance of seeing Olympic Football Tournament matches at Hampden Park in the summer. Scotland's national stadium will host the women's Quarter Final Match on 3 August as well as seven other games in both the men's and women's competitions in July. Glasgow has produced eight Olympic football players during the games' history, including Ronnie Simpson, who played in the 1948 London Olympics, signed for Celtic in 1964 and was voted Scottish Footballer of the Year in 1967. Visit tickets.london2012.command or call 0844 847 2012 for tickets.

Tickets are also likely to sell out fast for Clyde Cruises' Glasgow by Night excursion on 16 February, which shows the city in a different light. The river and its landmarks look hauntingly beautiful after dark as the boat passes beneath five stunningly illuminated bridges and landmarks such as the Riverside Museum and Glasgow Science Centre.

Tales of the City: Art Fund International and the Gallery of Modern Art collection

Until 1 December 2012

Contemporary artworks by the likes of Joseph Beuys, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Martin Boyce and Barbara Kruger are brought together under the broad theme of art and the urban environment, demonstrating how artists document cities as they change.

glasgowlife.org.uk

All the Fun of the Fair

28 February - 3 March

David Essex stars in the hit West End musical, which features crafty cons, dodgems and fairground fights, and a mix of new songs and classic hits—“Hold Me Close”, “Gonna Make You A Star” and “Me and My Girl (Night-clubbing)”.

www.atgtickets.com/venue/King-s-Theatre/6/

Glasgow International Comedy Festival

15 March - 1 April

The festival celebrates a decade of laughs with an extra special programme featuring performances by Dara O’Briain, Sarah Millican, Doug Stanhope, Jimeoin, Russell Kane, Stewart Lee, Rory Bremner and other top comedians.

glasgowcomedyfestival.com

5 things to see and do in Glasgow

Fossil Grove

Glasgow's most ancient attraction is a fossilised grove of prehistoric trees, twice as old as the dinosaurs. The sandstone casts of the stumps of 11 Lower Carboniferous lycopod trees were discovered in 1887 when a path was being cleared. Carefully excavated, they were placed in a brick building in Victoria Park, where they can be viewed from a public gallery.
Strathclyde Country Park

Scotland's theme park, near Motherwell, includes white-knuckle rollercoasters, a 35-metre-high big wheel with spinning gondolas, an indoor tropical rainforest full of poison dart frogs, pythons and toucans, and a miniature adventure golf course. Replenish your energy in an American Food Court, Italian coffee shop or beer garden.
Hunterian Museum

Scotland's oldest museum is a real treasure trove, containing over a million objects based on collections by Scottish physician and obstetrician, William Hunter. Highlights include the Lady Shep-en-hor mummy, a clutch of dinosaur eggs, a fibre-glass model of a giant squid and a Charles Rennie Mackintosh writing cabinet.
City Sightseeing Buses

Board one of the hop-on, hop-off open-top buses to see the sights of Glasgow. The complete tour takes in Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Merchant City, Glasgow Green, the Riverside Museum, the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow Science Centre and the main shopping areas, and you can alight and reboard at any of these stops.
Pollok Country Park

Located to the south-west of the city, Glasgow's largest park offers extensive woodlands and gardens and a quiet sanctuary for both visitors and wildlife. It boasts a mountain bike circuit, themed trails, riverside walks, a play park and beautiful Highland cattle. Regular events such as heritage walks, family days and garden talks are usually free.

Near the station

LOVEmusic, 34 Dundas Street, G1 2AQ

Formerly known as Avalanche Records, the near-legendary record shop sells a huge selection of new and second-hand indie and alternative titles and often invites hot new acts to play in-store—these have included KT Tunstall, Amy MacDonald and The Futureheads.

Tam Shepherd's Trick Shop, 33 Queen Street, G1 3EF

A family-run business specialising in amateur and professional magic tricks, which is managed by Roy Walton, a magician of 50 years. Fancy-dress outfits, theatrical make-up and masks are all available.

Felix and Oscar, 459 Great Western Road, G12 8HH

The popular, quirky gift shop sells glamorous, vintage-inspired clothes, soft toys, cute “Made in Scotland” romper suits, Gillian Kyle print bags and aprons, and novelty cufflinks.

Brian Maule at Chardon d'Or, 176 West Regent Street

The former head chef of London's Le Gavroche, Brian Maule is passionate about Scotland's natural bounty—“plump, hand-dived scallops, fresh fish, beef and lamb and an unbeatable selection of game”. Expect flawless food and service in this elegant Victorian townhouse restaurant.

Fifi & Ally, Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street, G1 3JN

This stylish café is a favourite among shoppers, who come to enjoy the organic, home-baked breads, cupcakes, decadent sweets and pastries, and light meals. Prepare to queue if you're heading there to try the afternoon tea. Plus quote "eastcoasttrains2012" for 10% off your food bill!

Verona, 88 West Regent Street, G2 2QZ

Authentic Italian cuisine in sumptuous surroundings, perfect whether you're looking for a romantic dinner for two, a pre-theatre family meal or a relaxing coffee with friends.

Bar Budda, 408 Sauchiehall Street, G2 3JD

A restaurant by day, a bar and nightclub until 3am at weekends, Budda is big on cocktails (and offers masterclasses so you can learn how to make them) and themed party nights. A stone's throw from the King's Theatre, it also offers discounts on pre-theatre meals.

Saint Jude's, 190 Bath Street, G2 4HG

The bar within this ivy-covered townhouse, which is also a hip boutique hotel and restaurant, is low-key and comfortable and serves up a decent pint, twists on classic cocktails and late-night music.

Babbity Bowster, 16-18 Blackfriars Street, G1 1PE

Named after a Scottish country dance, the traditional pub situated in an 18th-century tobacco merchant's townhouse offers a quiet place for a drink—no jukebox or video games, just the buzz of punters enjoying the fine selection of real ales and malt whiskies.

Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square, G1 3AH

Scotland's most visited modern art gallery is housed in a neo-classical building in the heart of Glasgow. Its collection includes works by David Hockney, Sebastiao Salgado and Andy Warhol, and Scottish artists such as John Bellany and Ken Currie.

St Andrew's Cathedral, Clyde Street, G1 4JY

The much-loved cathedral, built in the early 19th century, reopened to the public in 2011 following major renovation work and now boasts new artworks and an imaginative cloister garden.

The Mitchell Library, North Street, G3 7DA

Explore Glasgow's local heritage or delve into your own family history at this magnificent library, which also stages regular exhibitions and free talks.