Glasgow & Scotland Travel Info, Recommendations, and Links

Scotland

Select a state or country to view information on our favorite places, including must-see attractions, money-saving museum and subway passes, our favorite restaurants/bars/nightclubs, and more...

Europe:
England: London | France: Paris | Iceland: Reykjavík | Netherlands: Amsterdam | Scotland: Glasgow

EUROPE

Scotland

Glasgow - Shay first arrived in Glasgow in October 1989 for a semester abroad at Glasgow Polytechnic...and she's been in love with the city ever since. She's returned several times over the years, and has celebrated Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) here twice - once in 1991/1992 with her friend Andie, and once in 1998/1999 with Mike. Apparently, Mike was bitten by the Glasgow bug as well...after his trip there with Shay, he returned again with his friend Ted in December 1999. Let's just say that we highly recommend a visit to this lively and entertaining city, especially if you're looking for someplace fun and different to ring in the New Year!

Tourist Info:

	SeeGlasgow.com - The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board web site is crammed with tons of useful information for visitors. The site's accommodations section is excellent; you can search for hotels by type, location, and/or name to obtain basic info (including rates), a photo, and a link to the hotel's own web site. The site also provides a wealth of information on local attractions, events, wining and dining, shopping, and much more.
	VisitScotland - If you're planning to venture beyond Glasgow, be sure to check out this web site for information on regional guides, transportation, accommodations, attractions, dining and drinking, events, and more. And don't miss the VisitScotland site for U.S. travelers, where you can order a free Travel Planner online.
	Online Guide Books - You can find a wealth of information and reviews on Glasgow sights, lodging, dining, entertainment, and more by visiting the incredibly useful Frommer's, Fodor's, and Itchy Glasgow online travel guides. You may also want to check out Glazgow.com, The Glasgow Web Site, GlasgowLife, the Glasgow Guide, and Rampant Scotland's Glasgow Tourism page for additional local info.
	Airports - If you're traveling to Glasgow from the US, you'll either be flying into Glasgow Airport or Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Click on the links to access detailed information about the airports, the airlines that fly into them, airport services, shops and restaurants located within the terminals, transportation between the airports and the city, and more.
	Language - The official language of Scotland is English. (It's very rare that you'll find anyone who speaks the old Gaelic.) Be that as it may, there is quite a bit of slang used commonly throughout Britain and Scotland. So even if you're able to understand the accents, you may have difficulty "sussing" the slang. There are several web sites that provide an introduction to British and Scottish slang terms and colloquialisms; see Scottish Dialect on BBCi, Scottish Slang Productions (featuring sound clips), Glasgow Dialect, Wir Ain Leid: Glasgow Scots, the English2American dictionary, and A Dictionary of Slang (slang and colloquialisms used in the UK). And check out the Scottie Translator on Whoohoo...you can type up an email and have it automatically translated into Scottish or another British dialect!

Local Transportation:

Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) - This organization oversees an extensive transportation network throughout the Strathclyde region. SPT runs the Glasgow Subway and local rail network, and it subsidizes local bus and ferry services. SPT also operates a number of Travel Centres to handle public transport enquiries and tickets. Visitors to Glasgow have a variety of affordable ticket and travel pass options: a one-day Discovery pass, offering unlimited travel on the Subway after 9:30am (all day on Sundays); a one-day Roundabout ticket, offering unlimited rail travel within Glasgow and its outlying communities as well as unlimited Subway use; or a one-day Daytripper family ticket, offering unlimited travel by rail, Subway, most buses, and some ferries. Visitors who will be in town for more than a day or two should look into a ZoneCard, which offers unlimited travel by rail, Subway, most buses, and some ferries across a select number of zones for periods of seven days (Sunday to Saturday), four weeks, or longer. (See the SPT Tickets page for additional ticket options.) For travel in and around the city center, you'll most likely be relying on the Subway and local buses:

Glasgow Subway - The city's subway system is known by locals as the "Clockwork Orange" due to its circular route and distinctively-colored cars. There are 15 stations serviced by twin tracks running in a loop (one track runs clockwise and the other runs counterclockwise), with a complete roundtrip journey lasting approximately 24 minutes. Visit the Subway section of the SPT site for information on fares and service frequencies, operating hours, and more, as well as a simplified route map.

First in Glasgow - First in Glasgow, part of the FirstGroup, runs the city's traditional red buses and the new Overground bus service (the idea was to create a bus system with the frequency, reliability, and simplicity of the Glasgow Subway system). Visit the web site for maps and route info, fares and tickets, timetables, news, and more.

Attractions:

Glasgow is one of the few major cities that does not offer some type of museums/attractions pass. The reason for this is fairly simple...the majority of Glasgow's museums and attractions are free! Of those that do change an admission fee, prices tend to hover around £2-£5. See the descriptions and links below for more info on Glasgow's many sights. Also, stop by the Glasgow Tourist Information Centre at 11 George Square for guide books, maps, free informational booklets, and more.

Botanic Gardens - 730 Great Western Road - Visitors can get a breath of fresh air in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens. These gardens span over 40 acres and encompass some dozen greenhouses - the highlight among them being the Kibble Palace. Gardens are open daily from 7am-sunset; glasshouses are open daily from 10am-4:15pm (in summer until 4:45pm). Admission is free. Note: The nearest Subway station is Hillhead; you can also get here by taking bus 18, 20, 41, 66, 89, or 90 to the Botanic Gardens stop.

Burrell Collection - 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Pollok Country Park - This museum houses a mind-boggling collection of art and artifacts, with some 8,000 items on display. All of this was left to the city of Glasgow by one man: Sir William Burrell, a wealthy shipping magnate who had a lifelong passion for art collecting. As you wander the open halls of this vast museum, you will see ancient artifacts, Asian art, European decorative arts, furniture, textiles, ceramics, stained glass, silver, objects d'art, paintings, and sculptures. Given all of the items of antiquity, you may be surprised to see that the building is of a modern design - made of pink sandstone, stainless steel, and glass. But the overall effect works well, with lots of natural light to accentuate the displays. Admission to this internationally-acclaimed museum is free. The Burrell Collection is open to the public seven days a week from 10am-5pm, with a slightly later 11am opening on Friday and Sunday. See the web site for visitor information and maps, exhibitions, events, news, FAQs, and more. For additional details, see the Burrell Collection page on The Glasgow Web Site. Note: You can get here via bus 45 or 57 to Pollockshaws; or take a train from Glasgow Central to Pollokshaws West (route 19) - it's about a 10-minute walk from the station.

Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) - Queen Street - This handsome structure was once Glasgow's Royal Exchange building; it assumed its current role as a modern art gallery in 1996. Each of the building's four floors contain artwork representing one of the natural elements: earth, fire, air, and water. You'll see works by many eminent modern artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney, as well as native sons like John Bellany, Ken Curry, and Peter Howson. The museum is a manageable size, and you can easily view all of the exhibits within the space of an afternoon. Like most of Glasgow's art museums, this gallery offers free admission and is open seven days a week, from 10am-5pm Monday through Thursday and on Saturday, and from 11am-5pm on Friday and Sunday. See the web site for visitor information and maps, exhibitions, events, news, FAQs, and more. For additional details, see the GoMA page on The Glasgow Web Site. Tip: Look for the statue of the Duke of Wellington outside this building...the poor old chap invariably ends up wearing an orange traffic cone on his head at some point during any given weekend. Note: The nearest Subway stations are St. Enoch and Buchanan Street; you can also get here by taking any bus that stops at the City Centre.

Glasgow Cathedral - Cathedral Street - This site has long played a role in Glasgow's religious history; the ground was first consecrated for Christian burial by St. Ninian in 397 A.D. The imposing cathedral that stands on this site today is the oldest building in the city, and it is dedicated to Glasgow's patron saint: St. Mungo (also known as Kentigern). The structure was initially consecrated in 1136, and finally completed about 300 years later. It has an unusual design, with an upper and lower church. The lower church features the splendid crypt of St. Mungo, who died in 603 A.D. and features prominently in local legends. (In fact, the city's coat of arms is based on several of these legends.) Visit the Glasgow Cathedral web site for services and visiting hours, history, and more. See the Glasgow Cathedral page on Historic Scotland for additional details. Tip: While you're here, it's worth visiting the nearby Provand's Lordship and St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. And don't miss the nearby Necropolis (modeled after Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris); it offers a commanding view of the city. Note: The nearest Subway station is Buchanan Street (a few minutes' walk); you can also get here by taking bus 12, 38, or 56 to Cathedral Street or Royal Infirmary, or bus 89 or 90 to Royal Infirmary.

Glasgow City Chambers - George Square - This stately building, which dominates the east side of George Square, was opened by Queen Victoria in 1888. As handsome as the exterior may be, it pales by comparison to the opulent interior. As you step into the entrance hall, you'll note a couple of key features above and below you: the impressive vaulted ceiling and the floor mosaic of the city's coat of arms. Other interior highlights include the marble-and-alabaster staircases as well as the Venetian glass, sumptuous woods, and Wedgewood-style ceilings that decorate various areas of the building. The magnificent Banquet Hall - with its murals by "The Glasgow Boys" - is sure to impress. Free guided tours are offered weekdays at 10:30am and 2:30pm. You can access information and photos of the City Chambers online or have a peek outside via the George Square webcam. Note: The nearest Subway station is Buchanan Street; you can also get here via any bus route that stops at George Square in the City Centre.

Glasgow School of Art - 167 Renfrew Street - Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the school was built in two phases between 1897 and 1909, and is well worth a visit. Since it is a working art school, admission is by guided tour only, except for the Mackintosh, Newbery, Podium, and Atrium galleries, which are open to the public during normal operating hours. Guided tours are scheduled for 11am and 2pm Monday through Friday, and 10:30am and 11:30am on Saturday (with additional weekend tours in July and August). It is advisable to reserve in advance during the peak season. Visit the Glasgow School of Art general tour information page for additional details. The web site also provides information on exhibitions, a campus map (PDF format), a virtual tour, and more. Note: The nearest Subway station is Cowcaddens; you can also get here by taking bus 20, 40, 41, 54, 61, 66, or 75A to Cowcaddens.

House for an Art Lover - Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road - This stunning house was actually based on a competition entry that Charles Rennie Mackintosh submitted in 1901...but it was never built in his lifetime. Construction began in 1989, and the building was finally completed in 1996. It now houses permanent exhibitions, including designs for the various rooms and decorative pieces that Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret, created. While you're here, we recommend a meal at the reasonably-priced Art Lovers' Cafe (view cafe hours, a sample menu, and panoramic views online). Visit the web site for additional information, including a map, directions (click the "Contact Us" section for a link to directions), exhibition hours and admission fees, a virtual tour, and more. Note: You can get here via bus 9, 54, 56, or 57 to Bellahouston Park. You can also take the Subway to Ibrox station or a train from Glasgow Central to Dumbreck station (route 15); it's a short walk from either station.

Hunterian Art Gallery and Mackintosh House - 82 Hillhead Street - The art gallery at the University of Glasgow contains a substantial print collection (including Dürer and Beardsley) and an impressive array of paintings from the 17th century to the present (including the artistic estate of James McNeill Whistler, featuring about 60 of his works). The famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh is well represented here, with the highlight being a faithful reconstruction of the house Mackintosh and his wife lived in from 1906-14, complete with representative interior decoration and original furniture. The outdoor courtyard boasts contemporary sculpture and is a relaxing place to unwind after a tour of the gallery. Admission is free. The art gallery is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am-5pm, and the Mackintosh House is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30am-12:30pm and from 1:30-5pm. See the Hunterian web site for visitor information, including operating hours/closures, directions, parking, FAQs, and more. Note: The nearest Subway station is Hillhead; you can also get here by taking bus 44 to Glasgow University.

Hunterian Museum - Gilmorehill Building, University of Glasgow - Opened in 1807, Glasgow University's Hunterian Museum is the oldest museum in the city. It houses the collections of William Hunter, an 18th-century Glaswegian doctor who assembled a massive collection of art and artifacts. (His art treasures are displayed in the nearby Hunterian Art Gallery.) The museum contains Hunter's amazing array of coins, manuscripts, scientific instruments, archaeological artifacts, and even the vast collection of anatomical specimens he used in his teaching work. Other museum highlights include ethnographic items from Captain Cook's travels through the South Pacific as well as the zoology collection, which is located in the nearby Graham Kerr Building. If you'd like to learn more, take a virtual tour online. Admission to the museum is free, and it is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9:30am-5pm. See the Hunterian web site for visitor information, including operating hours/closures, directions, parking, FAQs, and more. Note: The nearest Subway station is Hillhead; you can also get here by taking bus 44 to Glasgow University.

Hutchesons' Hall - 158 Ingram Street - This elegant neoclassical building was designed by David Hamilton and completed in 1805. This site was formerly a hospice founded by two brothers, George and Thomas Hutcheson, in 1641; their statues (dating from the original hospital) now rest in niches in the facade. Today, the hall is managed by the National Trust for Scotland and houses a visitor center, special exhibitions, and a shop. Visit the Hutchesons' Hall page on the National Trust for Scotland web site for hours, admission, directions, and more (use the navigation links on the right-hand side). Note: The nearest Subway station is Buchanan Street; you can also get here via any bus route that stops at George Square in the City Centre.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Kelvingrove Park - This world-class museum is tucked away in a quiet park at the western edge of the city center. Its diverse collections feature gorgeous works of art by Dutch and Italian masters (like Rembrandt, Botticelli, and Giorgione), French impressionists (such as Monet and Cézanne), modern artists (including Dalí and Picasso), and many others. It is also home to exhibits of European armor, natural history, prehistoric relics, decorative arts, and furniture, as well as a variety of temporary displays. Best of all, admission is free! (Of course, donations are always welcome.) Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed for a major refurbishment project, and is not scheduled to reopen until July 2006. However, visitors can view some of the museum's exhibits at alternate locations while the museum is closed. See the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum web site for additional details, or visit the Art Gallery and Museum page on The Glasgow Web Site. Note: The nearest Subway station is Kelvinhall; you can also get here via bus 9, 16, 18, or 62 to Kelvin Hall or bus 44 to Kelvingrove Park.

The Lighthouse - 11 Mitchell Lane - Also known as Scotland's Centre for Architecture, Design, and the City, The Lighthouse opened in July 1999. This building was Charles Rennie Mackintosh's first public commission; it dates from 1895 and formerly housed the Glasgow Herald. Today, the facility is a state-of-the-art exhibition center containing several exhibition galleries, conference facilities, and education suites, as well as retail, bar, and restaurant units. It is also home to the Mackintosh Interpretation Centre, which provides an overview of Mackintosh's art, design, and architecture. The Centre engages visitors via interactive stations with models, drawings, and computer and video displays. Head to the top of Macintosh Tower for great views of the city. Visit the web site for additional information, including directions, hours and admission prices, exhibitions, event calendar, and more. Note: The nearest Subway stations are St. Enoch and Buchanan Street; you can also get here you can also get here via any bus route that stops at St. Enoch or Central Station in the City Centre.

Merchant's House - 7 West George Street - Sitting opposite the City Chambers, this handsome 1874 Victorian building - home to Glasgow's Chamber of Commerce - is topped by a golden sailing ship, a reminder of the importance of sea trade to Glasgow's prosperity. Inside is the fine Merchants' Hall, embellished with stained-glass windows and many portraits. Admission is free. The hall and anterooms are open weekdays from 10am-noon and 2-5pm, unless closed for meetings. Note: The nearest Subway station is Buchanan Street; you can also get here you can also get here via any bus route that stops at George Square in the City Centre.

People's Palace - Glasgow Green - Located on the edge of Glasgow Green, The People's Palace relates the social history of Glasgow from 1175 to the present day. Museum highlights range from personal relics of Mary Queen of Scots to the writing desk of John McLean (the "Red Clydeside" political activist who attracted Lenin's notice) to the famous "banana boots" worn on stage by Glasgow-born comedian Billy Connolly. Other features include posters, programs, and props from the Victorian music-hall era. After you've viewed all of the exhibits, take in the lovely Winter Gardens in the on-site greenhouse. Admission is free. The museum is open seven days a week, from 10am-5pm, with a slightly later 11am opening on Friday and Sunday. See the web site for visitor information and maps, exhibitions, events, news, FAQs, and more. For additional details, see the People's Palace page on the Glasgow City Council web site. Note: You can get here by taking bus 16, 18, 40, 61, 62, 240, or 260 to Glasgow Green.

Pollok House - 2060 Pollokshaws Road, Pollok Country Park - If you make the trip out to Polloks Country Park to view the Burrell Collection, don't miss the opportunity to stop by this gorgeous mansion. Dating from the mid-1700s, Pollok House displays fine 18th- and early 19th-century furniture, silver, glass, and porcelain. It also contains the internationally-acclaimed Stirling Maxwell Collection of paintings, including works by El Greco, Murillo, Goya, Signorelli, and William Blake. Now cared for by The National Trust for Scotland, the house has lovely gardens and overlooks the White Cart River and Pollok Park, where you'll see lovely trees, abundant wildlife, and the city of Glasgow's own highland cattle. See the web site for visitor information and maps, exhibitions, events, news, FAQs, and more. For additional details, visit the Pollok House page on the National Trust for Scotland web site (use the navigation links on the right-hand side). Note: You can get here via bus 45 or 57 to Pollockshaws; or take a train from Glasgow Central to Pollokshaws West (route 19) - it's about a 10-minute walk from the station.

Provand's Lordship - 3 Castle Street - Built by Bishop Andrew Muirhead in 1471 as a residence for churchmen, this is Glasgow's oldest house. Over the years, it has been used as a pastry shop, a soda factory, the abode of Glasgow's city hangman, and a junk shop before it was turned into a museum. It now houses 17th- and 18th-century furniture, tapestries, and pictures, as well as the key to Leven Castle in Tayside, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm, with an 11am opening on Friday and Sunday. See the web site for visitor information and maps, exhibitions, events, news, FAQs, and more. For additional details, see the Provand's Lordship page on The Glasgow Web Site. Note: The nearest Subway station is Buchanan Street (a few minutes' walk); you can also get here by taking bus 12, 38, or 56 to Cathedral Street or Royal Infirmary, or bus 89 or 90 to Royal Infirmary.

Queens Cross Church - 870 Garscube Road - This church was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh; it is an intriguing piece of architecture that displays both Gothic and Japanese influences. The interior furnishings include relief carvings and beautiful stained glass windows. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, based at the same address, runs Mackintosh tours around Glasgow. Visit the Society's web site for information on the church - including hours and admission and a virtual tour - as well as other sites in Glasgow that were designed by Mackintosh. Note: The nearest Subway station is St. George's Cross (a 15-minute walk); you can also get here via any bus route that stops near the intersection of Garscube and Maryhill roads.

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art - 2 Castle Street - Named after the patron saint of Glasgow, this museum examines all of the world's major religious faiths. Whether or not you consider yourself to be religious, this intriguing attraction is definitely worth a visit...if for no other reason than to view Salvador Dalí's painting Christ of St. John of the Cross and to relax in Britain's only authentic Japanese Zen garden. Admission is free. The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm, with an 11am opening on Friday and Sunday. See the web site for visitor information and maps, exhibitions, events, news, FAQs, and more. For additional details, see the St. Mungo Museum page on The Glasgow Web Site. Note: The nearest Subway station is Buchanan Street (a few minutes' walk); you can also get here by taking bus 12, 38, or 56 to Cathedral Street or Royal Infirmary, or bus 89 or 90 to Royal Infirmary.

Tenement House - 145 Buccleuch Street - Step into this building's first-floor "flat" and feel like you've stepped back in time...into a late-Victorian tenement dwelling. This fascinating apartment houses the furniture and personal possessions of Miss Agnes Toward, who lived here for over fifty years (1911-1965). Fortunately for modern visitors, she was something of a pack-rat...when the property was acquired by the National Trust for Scotland, Ms. Toward's apartment served as a virtual time capsule. On display are original features such as the flat's bed recesses, kitchen range, porcelain jawbox sink, and coal bunker. Visit the Tenement House page on the National Trust for Scotland web site for hours, admission, directions, and more (use the navigation links on the right-hand side). Note: The nearest Subway station is Cowcaddens; you can also get here via any bus route that stops at Cowcaddens (20, 40, 41, 54, 61, 66, or 75A).

Hogmanay - Okay, this is not an attraction per se, but it happens to be the biggest event of the year in Glasgow...make that in the entire country. Hogmanay is a huge New Year's Eve celebration...Scottish style. Think lots of drinking, lots of music, lots of men in kilts, and even the occasional bagpipe. Glaswegians are known for being a friendly people, and you're likely to make many new friends among the revelers on Hogmanay. Shay celebrated her first Hogmanay during New Year's 1991/1992 with her Austrian friend Andie. They had a few pints in a little pub called the Alpen Lodge, and then everyone ran to George Square just before midnight. At 12am, the Bells rang in the new year amid much laughter, merriment, and kisses from strangers. Fast forward to December 1998: Shay and Mike traveled to Glasgow in anticipation of another great New Year's celebration. Despite a long train delay, we made it to Glasgow just in time. We checked into our B&B and then hurried to George Square, where we were informed that we needed passes to enter the area...and that the passes had sold out over a month prior. Shay's eyes filled with tears as she explained that they had traveled all the way from Boston just to ring in the New Year in George Square. One of the cops on duty apparently felt sorry for the couple, and was able to scrounge up a spare pair of tickets for them. Success! It turned out to be another night to remember. We look forward to returning to Glasgow for another Hogmanay someday; only next time, we'll be sure to plan our celebration in advance. For those of you who are interested in checking out Hogmanay for yourselves (we can't recommend it highly enough!), log on to Hogmanay.net for more information about this festive holiday, including details on the celebrations taking place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and elsewhere in Scotland. Tip: If you do travel to Scotland for Hogmanay, be forewarned that just about everything will be closed the next day. The city seems almost like a ghost town while its citizens recuperate from the previous night's revelries. All attractions, shops, and businesses are closed, as are most restaurants and many bars. (If your lodging includes breakfast, do try to wake up in time for it as you may not find anyplace open for lunch.) When dinnertime rolls around, you'll find that most restaurants will be closed...however, you should be able to find a few pubs/bars that are open and serving food.

Day Trips - Edinburgh is an easy day trip from Glasgow. Most people who visit Scotland generally visit Edinburgh, but we've never even been there...we always opt to spend our time in friendly, fun, and funky Glasgow. However, we do plan to get to Edinburgh one of these days!

Edinburgh - This link will take you to the official web site of the Edinburgh (pronounced Eddinboro or Eddinburra) and Lothians Tourist Board. The site offers information and links that will help you plan your visit to this region, including accommodations, attractions, restaurants and pubs, entertainment, nightlife, travel and transportation, and more. For additional travel info, try the Frommer's, Time Out, Fodor's, and Itchy Edinburgh online guide books.

Restaurants: We've highlighted some of our favorite Glasgow restaurants below. For additional suggestions, check out The List's Eating & Drinking Guide.

	The Bay Tree Café - 403 Great Western Road - A good choice for vegetarians. The menu tends heavily toward the Middle Eastern, with such items as falafel, samosas, and pakora, as well as more traditional fare such as veggie burgers. Open Monday through Sunday 9:30am-10pm. See also the Itchy Glasgow article on vegetarian dining and the reviews on VegDining.
	Grassroots Café - 97 St. George's Road - This homey and reasonably-priced cafe serves up organic vegetarian food that is as tasty as it is nutritious. You can view the current menu online. (Note that all "meat" references on the menu are actually vegetarian versions.) Grassroots also offers special menu items for diners with vegan, gluten-free, and wheat-free diets. The restaurant is open from 10am-10pm. Check out the reviews on The List and VegDining, as well as the Itchy Glasgow article on vegetarian dining. *Tip:* If you're looking for a good, cheap take-away lunch, try the Grassroots Deli at 20 Woodlands Road, about a minute's walk from the restaurant. The deli offers a variety of tempting salads and sandwiches as well as soup, vegeburgers, burritos, and more...with most items well under £3 per serving.
	The Horseshoe Bar - 17 Drury Street - This pub is worth a visit in its own right (see below for details), but we recommend that you stop by at lunchtime and head upstairs for one of the best lunch deals in Glasgow: a three-course meal for under £3! Naturally, it isn't gourmet cuisine...but it is decent, filling food. Choose from fish & chips, macaroni & cheese, roast chicken, lasagna, and other entrees. Be forewarned that you'll likely share a table with other patrons (the place fills up quickly, so no seat is left empty), and smoking is allowed (this is a bar, after all). But Glaswegians are friendly folk, so if you enjoy socializing, it'll be a fun time. For more details, check out the write-ups on ItchyGlasgow, Yahoo!, and TravelScotland. (Unfortunately, we don't recall exactly what hours the lunch special is available...but we think it's around noon until 2:30pm.)
	Insomnia - 38-42 Woodlands Road - This funky little café is open 24 hours a day and offers a variety of interesting menu items...including a good number of vegetarian options. Insomnia just a short walk from our favorite local B&B - the Alamo Guest House - so it's especially convenient if you happen to have jet lag and are looking for an early-morning or late-night meal. For additional info, see the reviews on Yahoo! and Ciao! *Tip:* If you happen to visit Glasgow for Hogmanay, this is one of the few restaurants that will be open on New Year's Day.
	Mono - Kings Court - Unit 12, King Street - This bar, cafe, restaurant, and live music venue is new since our last visit to Glasgow, so we don't have any personal feedback on it (yet). However, it's received a number of good reviews for its vegetarian fare and live shows, so we plan to visit during our next trip to Glasgow. For more information, see the StereoMono web site and the review on The List.
	Stereo - 11-13 Kelvinhaugh Street - This bar, cafe, restaurant, and live music venue is new since our last visit to Glasgow, so we don't have any personal feedback on it yet. (In case you haven't guessed, it is a sister establishment to Mono.) However, it's received a number of good reviews for its vegetarian fare and live shows, so we plan to visit during our next trip to Glasgow. For more information, see the StereoMono web site and the review on The List.
	La Tasca - 39-43 Renfield Street - A little bit of Spain plopped down right in Glasgow's city center. La Tasca is a trendy tapas bar that offers all kinds of tempting tidbits - view the tantalizing menus (tapas, paellas, beer and wine lists, and more) online. They've thoughtfully labeled which items are suitable for vegetarians...we recommend the Paella de Verduras (vegetarian paella), Patatas Bravas (deep-friend potatoes in a spicy sauce), and Croquetas de Champiñones (mushroom croquettes with garlic mayonnaise). And be sure to indulge in a pitcher of the traditional Sangria! La Tasca is open Sunday through Thursday from noon-10:30pm, and on Friday and Saturday from noon-11:30pm. For more information, see the reviews on The List and Itchy Glasgow.
	The 13th Note - 50-60 King Street - This excellent café offers a variety of standard and creative vegetarian fare, including tofu burgers, spinach lasagna, bean curd stir fry, vegetable korma, and even a vegetarian version of haggis! See the web site for a menu, as well as news, details on the club's live music and shows, a map, and more. The restaurant is open from noon until 10pm. Check out the reviews on The List and VegDining, as well as the Itchy Glasgow article on vegetarian dining.
	The Willow Tea Room - 217 Sauchiehall Street - The claim to fame of this charming tea room is that it was designed entirely by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1903...from the exterior facade to the interior layout, from the chairs to the teaspoons to the waitresses' dresses. The Willow Tea Room closed in 1928, and the building was put to other uses. But happily, the property was eventually acquired by Anne Mulhern, who restored the site's Room de Luxe in 1983 according to its original specifications, and later recreated The Gallery in 1996. Today, visitors come from all over the world to enjoy a meal and soak up the atmosphere at the lovingly restored Willow on Sauchiehall Street. Visit the web site for more information, including menus. The Willow Tea Room is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Note: There is a second Willow Tea Room located at 97 Buchanan Street.

Clubs & Bars:

Glasgow Clubs:

	To get the lowdown on nightlife in and around Glasgow (and Edinburgh), pick up a copy of The List. The List is published every two weeks, and includes the latest listings for clubs, music/concerts, theatre, comedy, dance, and more. Unfortunately, as of this writing, The List does not provide current club listings online. However, you can find online club listings, pub and bar listings, and more in the Itchy Glasgow guide. (Some of the best club nights in town are at the various student unions on university campuses...but if you don't have a current student ID, you can't get in.)
	Goth Clubs - Check out the International Goth Club Listing for a current list of Glasgow goth clubs. At the time of this writing, there are no Glasgow goth clubs listed on the site. :(
	The Cathouse - 15 Union Street - We haven't actually been to this club, but we found them online and added them to our list because it looks like they play good music - indie, alternative, industrial, punk, and the like. For more information, visit The Cathouse's web site, where you'll find a map, drink promos, details on each of the club nights (currently Skint, aN-R-K, The Cathouse on Fridays and Saturdays, Voodoo [under 18s], and Spank), and more.
	Fury Murrys - 96 Maxwell Street - Back in 1989, Shay was a regular at Fury Murrys (gotta love that name!). The club played good alternative music, the cover and drinks were cheap, and the patrons were friendly. Nearly 15 years later, Fury Murrys is still going strong. The basement-level club packs in happy crowds - mostly students at the nearby universities. The DJs now tend to place trendy dance music - not quite our taste, but still makes for a fun night out. Fortunately, there is a bar and small dance floor on the same level as the club entrance, where the DJ spins some indie tunes. Fury Murrys also features regular live acts. (The link above goes to FurysLive, which provides good info on the club's gigs, but unfortunately doesn't provide many details on the club itself.) Because of its convenient city-center location (just a couple minutes' walk from St. Enoch), Fury Murrys is a good place to wind up after an evening pub crawl.
	Garage - 490 Sauchiehall Street - Although Garage tends to be an overcrowded dance club that primarily focuses on mainstream music, the club has four different rooms playing four different music genres, so chances are pretty good that you'll find at least one DJ playing indie/alternative tunes on any given night. The upstairs lounge known as Attic often plays good music. Visit the Garage web site for location, news, drink promos, and more.

Glasgow Bars & Pubs:

	Alpen Lodge - 25a Hope Street - Shay's main reason for including this bar is because she has fond memories of a New Year's Eve here in 1991...most bars were either closed or hosting private parties that evening, but the Alpen Lodge let us squeeze in and enjoy a few pints. An older gent with red hair and a kilt started playing the bagpipes, and we couldn't think of anything more perfect. At midnight, the bar emptied out and we all ran to George Square to ring in 1992. What fun! According to various web sites, it seems the Alpen Lodge regularly offers live music. A return visit is definitely in order the next time we're back in Glasgow!
	Bar Ce Lona - 427 Sauchiehall Street - A colorful, lively, and fashionable bar/restaurant on busy Sauchiehall Street. A nice place to indulge in a pitcher of Sangria and nibble some tapas. Visit the web site for information on the bar and restaurant, as well as a map, virtual tour, nightly drink specials, and menus. Open Monday through Saturday noon-midnight and Sunday 5pm-midnight.
	The Counting House - 2 St. Vincent Place - We discovered this bar while celebrating New Year's Eve in George Square in 1998. Due to the ever-increasing popularity of this area for New Year festivities, you actually had to have tickets to enter the vicinity of George Square - we hadn't realized this, and all the tickets had been given away weeks before. But a couple of the guards apparently took pity on us - since we had traveled all the way from Boston to celebrate Hogmanay - and they gave us a couple of extra tickets. Once we got into the George Square area, we found that you could only purchase drinks from two pubs that bordered the square. We ended up at The Counting House, and were quite happy that it worked out that way. As you can surmise from the name, this building used to be a bank (circa 1870)...and the interior boasts soaring ceilings and elegant period details. The property was acquired by the JD Wetherspoon pub group, completely restored and refurbished, and opened as a pub in 1996. It's a very comfortable place to kick back and enjoy a pint (or two, or three). The Counting House offers reasonably-priced drinks and pub grub. Open Monday through Saturday 11am-midnight; Sunday 12:30pm-midnight.
	The Horseshoe Bar - 17 Drury Street - This popular two-level pub is tucked away on a cobblestone-paved alley between Renfield and West Nile. The pub's namesake horseshoe-shaped bar (in the lower level) is reputedly in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest continuous bar in the UK. As if that weren't reason enough to stop in for a pint, you'll find the drinks are very reasonably priced. Most of the bar's décor dates back to the Victorian era, giving the place a comfy, old-world feel. We recommend you add The Horseshoe to your "must-visit" list of Glasgow pubs. For more details, check out the articles on ItchyGlasgow, Yahoo!, and TravelScotland. The Horseshoe is open daily from 11am-midnight (12:30pm-midnight on Sundays). *Tip:* Stop by at lunchtime to take advantage of one of Glasgow's best lunch deals: a three-course meal for under £3!
	Oblomov - 372 Great Western Road - A Russian-themed cocktail bar. In addition to lots of ВОДКА (vodka), Oblomov also sells a certain infamous emerald-colored potable...absinthe! The bar serves food, as well. Open Sunday through Friday 11am-11pm; Saturday 11am-midnight. *Note:* Oblomov has a second location at 24 Candleriggs, Merchant City. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-midnight.
	O'Henry's - 14 Drury Street - This was one of Shay's favorite pubs back when she was an exchange student in Glasgow, and it's the first place she ever tried one of her favorite drinks: a Long Vodka (vodka, ginger ale, lime juice, and a splash of Angostura bitters). O'Henry's is a comfy, laid-back kind of place. It's located directly across the street from the Horsehoe Bar, so they're a good pair to add to any Glasgow pub crawl. Open daily noon-11pm.
	The Scotia - 112 Stockwell Street - The Scotia is reputedly Glasgow's oldest drinking establishment. Owner Brendan McLaughlin says that the bar was built in 1792, and has been operating as a pub ever since. It's a friendly place, and a good spot to catch live folk music. Locals here frequently burst into song, with or without instrumental accompaniment. Definitely worth a visit! (Click here for a photo.) Open daily, 11am-midnight.
	The 13th Note - 50-60 King Street - This excellent bar - which also happens to be a vegetarian café - offers live music every night. See the web site for a listing of upcoming live shows (we were pleased to note a number of indie acts, and even the occasional punk band), a map, and more. The bar is open from noon until midnight. Check out the reviews on The List and NightB4.

Accommodations:

If you visit Glasgow, we strongly recommend the Alamo Guest House (see below for details)...we stay there every time we're in town. But if the Alamo happens to be full or if you're looking for a different location, the Glasgow Tourist Board web site has an excellent accommodations section that can help you to find the right hotel or B&B for you.

Alamo Guest House - 46 Gray Street, Glasgow - This wonderful B&B is located at the western fringes of the city center, on a quiet side street facing Kelvingrove Park. The city's famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is literally just steps from the front door, and there are lots of good pubs and restaurants within a few blocks' walk. It's a bit of a hike to reach downtown on foot, but you can get there in just a few minutes by public transport - either hop on the Glasgow Subway at the nearby Kelvinhall station, or walk a few blocks to the local bus stop. The hotel itself is quite beautiful: a well-maintained Victorian building with lovely period details. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and nicely decorated, and all have a TV as well as tea and coffee-making facilities. Most of the rooms have shared baths, but we always opt for one of the basement-level rooms with garden view and modern en-suite bath. (Just don't forget to switch on the electric water heater before you head into the shower!) The proprietors are friendly and helpful, and they prepare a tasty full Scottish breakfast each morning. Visit the hotel's web site for additional information, including accommodations details and photos, rates, location and maps, contact info, booking/enquiry form, and more.

Note: There are a lot of links throughout this section. Although we try to maintain these pages on a regular basis, web sites go up, come down, and change addresses at a staggering pace. So if you happen to notice any bad links, please contact us so that we can update our listings. Many thanks!