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Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley


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From the dramatic reaches of the Clyde Valley to the pulsating city streets of Glasgow and the glorious rural landscapes of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley is a destination with "diversity" as its calling card.

Over the centuries, the famous River Clyde has breathed life and inspiration into the area. From its source in the rolling Lanarkshire hills to its spectacular passage to the sea, the river's winding route echoes a heritage and culture that is every bit as valued and distinct as the city, towns and villages which emanate from its banks.

At its heart is Glasgow, one of the world's truly great cities and a dynamic centre of culture. The city prospered through its ability to trade in tobacco, sugar and cotton with the American colonies. When it embraced the industrial revolution, its reputation for quality shipbuilding on the Clyde spread throughout the world. Glasgow earned its reputation as "Second City of the British Empire".

Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, has a history stretching back to earliest times. Stone Age canoes unearthed along the banks of the River Clyde point to the existence of fishing communities. Celtic druids were among the first identifiable religious tribes to have lived in the area. They probably traded with the Romans who, around 80AD, would have had a trading post in Cathures, the earlier name for Glasgow.

Beyond 380AD, when the great Christian missionary St Ninian passed through Cathures, consecrating a burial ground, little is known until the arrival of St Kentigern in the 6th century. St Kentigern settled in Glasgow (or Glas cu, most generally interpreted as "dear green place") in 543AD following exile from Culross, where his monastic brothers had grown jealous of his miracle powers.

Today, Glasgow is one of the UK’s most visited cities.

The city that hosted the highly popular Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, was European City of Culture in 1990, and mounted the spectacular Glasgow Festival of Visual Arts in 1996, welcomes over 2 million tourists from all over the world each year who are drawn by its wealth of cultural attractions and activities.

A CITY OF HISTORY

Around Glasgow, ancient buildings and historical streets and monuments relate a fascinating and influential past:

  • Glasgow Cathedral marks the burial spot of St Mungo, the city’s founder and patron saint
  • While visiting Glasgow’s oldest house, the Provand’s Lordship, Mary Queen of Scots is said to have plotted the infamous murder of Darnley
  • On Glasgow Green - the city’s oldest public park - is the stone on which James Watt is said to have sat, pondering his revolutionary inventions which were to spark off the Industrial Revolution
  • The Merchant City, where Glasgow’s rich merchant traders built their mansions, banks and warehouses, has a charm and character of its own
  • The People’s Palace is a veritable treasure trove of Glasgow memorabilia, relating the story of the city’s social and political past

A CITY OF ARCHITECTURE

Glasgow’s architecture is among the finest in Europe. In 1999, the city has been designated UK City of Architecture and Design:

  • Glasgow’s elegant streets are lined with some of the finest and most beautifully preserved Victorian buildings
  • The magnificent City Chambers, Glasgow’s municipal headquarters in George Square, stands as a proud statement to the city’s proud position during the 19th century as "Second City of the Empire"
  • Around the city are unique examples of Glasgow’s most renowned architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh (including the famous Glasgow School of Art), and of the equally gifted Alexander "Greek" Thomson
  • A full-scale programme of design projects and activities are planned throughout Glasgow’s celebrations in 1999 as UK City of Architecture and Design

A CITY OF MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Glasgow has over 20 wonderful museums and galleries, each with its own individual collection and events programme, and all with free admission. They include:

  • The world famous Burrell Collection, a purpose-built gallery opened in 1984 to house the unorthodox and eclectic collection of artefacts gifted to Glasgow by Sir William Burrell
  • The magnificent Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum in Kelvingrove, which houses the city’s principal collection of paintings, and is the Scotland’s most frequently visited free attraction
  • The Transport Museum, with its ever popular collection of Glasgow Trams, locomotives, an exact reconstruction of a 1930’s Glasgow street, and the city’s new Museum of Football
  • St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art, the UK’s only museum celebrating the world’s many religions
  • Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art, a brand new gallery set in the refurbished Stirling’s Library, and housing the city’s principal modern art collection
  • Scotland Street School, a former Charles Rennie Mackintosh School preserved as the city’s Museum of Education

CITY OF ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

The city that hosted the Great Exhibitions of 1888 and 1901, and was designated European City of Culture 1990 has a full and exciting range of entertainment venues and activities:

  • Glasgow is home to Scotland’s principal performing arts organisations: Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, the Citizen’s Theatre, and many more
  • A wide range of excellent concert and entertainment venues includes: the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the Theatre Royal, the City Hall, the King’s Theatre, the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
  • Glasgow’s diary of annual festivals and events includes: the Glasgow International Jazz Festival (July), the RSNO Proms (June), the Ten Day Weekend, the World Pipe Band Championships (August), and the Christmas Shopping Festival Shine On Glasgow.

CITY OF PARKS AND GARDENS

The name Glasgow means "dear green place", recognising the fact that Glasgow has over 70 parks and open spaces, more than any other city its size. Many of them contain some of the city’s main galleries and attractions, facilities for recreational activities, and many fine examples of Victorian sculpture. Among their many features are:

  • The exotic Victorian Kibble Palace in Botanic Gardens and the grand Winter Gardens on Glasgow Green
  • Victoria Park’s Fossil Grove, a fascinating display of fossilised tree trunks more than 300 million years old
  • The newly completed House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh almost a century ago, and recently built using his original drawings
  • The International Rose Garden in Tollcross Park, venue for the city’s annual International Rose Trials
  • Highland cattle and Clydesdale horses in Pollok Country Park and Glasgow Green, and a Riding School in Linn Park
  • Some of the most spectacular views of the city from Queen’s Park

CITY OF SPORT

Sport is an integral part of Glasgow’s culture, reflected in the city’s designation as a UK National City of Sport 1996-99. Among its state-of-the-art facilities are:

  • Three world class football stadia: the new National Stadium at Hampden Park; Ibrox Stadium, home of Rangers Football Club, and Celtic Football Team’s newly refurbished Celtic Park stadium
  • The Kelvin Hall sports arena, the venue for many international sporting events and competitions
  • A full range of modern swimming pools and sports centres

CITY OF RETAIL AND SHOPPING

Glasgow has the largest retail sector out with London. Residents and visitors from around the UK and overseas are drawn to the city’s expanding shopping outlets, including:

  • Shopping malls like the chic and trendy Princes Square, the enormous St Enoch Centre, Sauchiehall Street Centre, Parkhead Forge, the historical Argyle Arcade, and the forthcoming new Buchanan Galleries
  • The main pedestrianised shopping thoroughfares of Sauchiehall Street, Buchanan Street and Argyle Street.
  • The unique and colourful Barras weekend street market
  • The smaller, characterful outlets of the city’s bohemian West End
  • A wide range of top class cafés, restaurants, pubs and wine bars
  • City Centre Representatives to help shoppers and visitors around the city, and a comprehensive City Watch close-circuit TV scheme keeping a watchful eye on the streets.

CITY OF LEARNING

Since the city’s first university was established in 1451, Glasgow has been hailed as a powerful seat of learning. Lord Kelvin, Adam Smith and James Watt are just some of history’s great thinkers associated with the city’s academic past. Today’s educational establishments include:

  • The University of Glasgow
  • Strathclyde University
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Royal Scottish Academy of Music
  • Glasgow School of Art
  • College of Commerce
  • College of Building and Printing
  • College of Food Technology
  • Glasgow Hotel School (Strathclyde University)

CITY OF INFORMATION

Glasgow is the headquarters for Scotland’s principal media organisations:

  • Its main newspapers include The Herald, Evening Times, Daily Record/Sunday Mail, Scottish Mirror, Scottish Daily Express, Scottish Daily Mail, Sunday Times Scotland, and the The Sunday Post
  • Broadcast media includes the headquarters of BBC Scotland, Scottish Television, and in nearby Clydebank, Radio Clyde, the independent radio station covering the Greater Glasgow area
  • Glasgow Film Office was recently established to promote the city to film location managers around the world

Clyde Valley

A short distance up river, the rich seam of fascinating attractions in the Clyde Valley reflecs the area's industrial and social heritage. None more vividly than New Lanark World Heritage Village - Robert Owen's 19th century revolutionary "new town" - tastefully preserved in its spectacular riverside setting near the Falls of Clyde. Even in small conservation towns like Biggar, you'll be amazed by the wealth and quality of unique places to visit.

To the west lies Renfrewshire and the historic abbey of Paisley, the town whose weaving tradition developed the world famous Paisley Pattern. And prepare to draw breath as you approach the dramatic scenery of Inverclyde, with its panoramic views across the broader stretches of the Clyde Estuary to the Argyll hills. The area prides itself in a maritime tradition poignantly celebrated in Greenock's Custom House and McLean Museum.

Whatever the time of year, whatever your interests, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley has something for everyone. Charles Dickens said of his visit in 1847, "I have never been more heartily received anywhere, or enjoyed myself more completely".

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

 


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