Local Area

One of the most dynamic and diverse destinations in Europe, Glasgow has been reincarnated as a city of style and vitality: virtues that work in harmony with a background of Victorian architecture, renaissance steeples and medieval spires. Boasting world-renowned art collections, the best shopping UK shopping experience outside London and exhilarating nightlife, Glasgow is a truly magnificent city to visit.

- Currency Converter

- Glasgow Weather

- Glasgow Events

Art and culture play an important role in Glasgow life; almost 20 galleries and museums offer free admission. The world`s foremost Museum of Religion, the celebrated Burrell Collection and the contemporary Gallery of Modern Art are visitor favourites. cutting-edge design can be enjoyed at The Lighthouse, while the technology enthusiasts will be delighted by the Science Centre. Scotland`s heritage is celebrated at the Museum of Transport, Museum of Scottish Country Life, and the Scottish Football Museum.

The city`s title `Friendly City` has been borne from the abundance of colourful and vibrant festivals and a cultural calendar of events including the Scottish Opera, Summer Proms and the West End Festival, the smooth sounds of Glasgow International Jazz Festival, the thrilling Hogmanay Celebrations and Celtic Connections.

The inaugural Celtic Connections festival first took place in 1994 and has developed into one of the world`s most important folk and music events. It brings together the best of Celtic music talent from diverse global Celtic hubs including Nova Scotia, Ireland, Brittany and Galicia, where an eclectic mix of modern Celtic rock, dance, big bands, choral performances, international folk superstars, theatre and traditional pipe bands and ceilidhs attract an attendance of over 100,000 every January. Glasgow`s International Jazz Festival previews outstanding international jazz singers and musicians such as Tony Bennett and Isaac Hayes.

Every March the ever-popular Glasgow International Comedy Festival returns, with an impressive bill of the UK`s foremost comedians and impersonators, which has included Paul Merton, Jack Dee Fred MacAuley in past events. Once a small local festival, the West End Festival has grown in a decade to become the city`s largest and most popular event, held annually in June, attracting thousands to huge free public events.

In September the Merchant City Festival stages a series of film, theatre, comedy, visual arts, street theatre, live music, food and fashion against a backdrop of architectural elegance. A little later in October, Glasgay, Scotland`s annual celebration of gay culture delivers an intoxicating line-up of events including comedy, film, visual art, performance and community arts.

There is no shortage of comfortable accommodation: two of the most popular are the 3 star Holiday Inn Express Glasgow Theatreland hotel and the neighbouring 4 star Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland hotel, both of which are just opposite Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and only a short stroll from the major shopping streets, Buchanan Street. Glasgow can be reached from all corners of the UK by rail and by air; these days the Glasgow International airport will connect you to flights from Glasgow to Birmingham, Cardiff, Newquay, Plymouth, Bristol, Belfast, East Midlands, London and over 50 international destinations including the USA.

For the low down on what's on in Glasgow the city's tourist board is a good place to start, visit www.seeglasgow.com