1. Kelvingrove, Glasgow
More than a million people a year flock to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Whatever floats your boat, you’ll find it here. If you’re a military buff, you’ll love the Mark 21 Spitfire hanging in mid-air. If you want to see Dutch masters and French impressionists, this is the place to check out one of the finest collections anywhere in the UK. There’s an internationally significant collection of arms and armour and it’s hardly surprising that Kelvingrove draws visitors back time and again. After all, with 22 themed galleries and some 8000 objects, you’ll never see it all in a single day. What Kelvingove isn’t is stuffy – kids will love the dinosaurs, the mounted animals and, of course, the bees. The museum has kept bees since 1959 and everyone loves seeing how they make honey. Time your visit right and you can have music while you meander as there are still daily recitals on the magnificent 1901 organ that dominates the Centre Hall. Starting on April 1, Frank Quitely Art Of Comics is a new exhibition of the work of the Glasgow-born artist – real name Vincent Deighan – who was inspired by The Broon
Price: £
Where: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AG
Tel: 0141 276 9599
glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove
2. Riverside Museum, Glasgow
The old Transport Museum at the Kelvin Hall was a jam-packed delight for generations, peeking into old cars, clambering up on shiny steam trains and marvelling at old trams. It was just a bit too jam-packed. But the spectacular Riverside Museum on the banks of the Clyde – with the striking Tall Ship nearby – has room for everything to breathe, despite having more than 3000 objects on display, double the number at the old museum. Get on old subway carriages, trams, locos, a railway carriage and a bus and step into three old streets with shops from 1895 to the 1980s.
Price: £
Where: Riverside Museum, 100 Pointhouse Place, Glasgow, G3 8RS
Tel: 0141 287 2720
glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/riverside
3. Botanic Gardens, Glasgow
Every city needs breathing space, parks and open areas to stretch the legs and fill the lungs. And Glasgow isn’t known as the dear green place for nothing. It has more than 90 parks and gardens, but for countless residents and office workers through the decades, the Botanic Gardens has been the place to head when the weather is good. Situated right in the bustling West End, at the junction of Byres Road and Great Western Road, the grassy slopes are full of “taps aff” Glaswegians on those all-too-rare hot and sunny summer days.
Price: £
Where: Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Rd, Glasgow, G12 0UE
Tel: 0141 276 1614
4. Willow Tearooms, Glasgow
Up a (steep) flight of steps off Buchanan Street, you’ll find replicas of the White Dining Room and Chinese Room. These were in Kate Cranston’s Tea Rooms in nearby Ingram Street, which were created for her by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Although the original Willow Tea Rooms in Sauchiehall Street are being renovated, you can still admire its stylish exterior there.
Price: ££
Where: Willow Tea Rooms, 97 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 3HF
Tel: 0141 204 5242
5. Bothwell Castle, Uddingston
When it comes to Scots castles, Edinburgh, Stirling and even much-photographed Eilean Donan may get lots of the attention. But Bothwell Castle in Uddingston is a real gem among our historic fortifications. It’s the largest 13th Century stone castle anywhere in the country – and surprisingly intact considering how many times it was fought over during the Wars of Independence. It changed from Scottish to English hands numerous times – so many in fact that the original plans were never actually completed. What was constructed, though, is a marvel and features a circular keep – or donjon to give it its proper name – that is unrivalled anywhere else in Scotland. There’s a grim prison tower that contrasts with the tranquility of the 14th Century chapel and the sheer scale of the marvellous great hall that dates from the same time. It was obviously fought over for its strategic significance, but the location is what catches the eye these days.
Price: £
Where: Bothwell Castle, Castle Avenue, Uddingston, G71 8BL
Tel: 01698 816 894
6. Style Mile, Glasgow
Shopaholics will think they’ve died and gone to heaven in the city. With more than 1500 shops, it’s the largest and most successful shopping destination outside of London’s trendy West End. The Style Mile – taking in Argyle, Buchanan and Sauchiehall Street – is at the heart of it all. Giant shopping centres Buchanan Galleries and St Enoch’s top and tail Buchanan Street. And then there’s upmarket Princes Square with its smart boutiques and the Merchant City area with its international trendsetters such as Ralph Lauren and Cruise.
Price: £
Where: Argyle Street, Buchanan Street, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 8AR
visit-glasgow.info/shopping/the-golden-z
7. Strathclyde Park, Motherwell
With almost 1000 acres of countryside, it’s little wonder Strathclyde Country Park is such a magnet for those from near and far. There’s a watersport centre, outdoor adventure playgrounds, bike hire and the chance to stretch your legs on the paths round Commonwealth Games venue Strathclyde Loch. There are events on all year, including a huge fireworks show.
Price: £
Where: Hamilton Road, Motherwell, ML1 3ED
Tel: 01698 402 060 366
northlanarkshire.gov.uk/strathclydepark
8. Piping Live! Glasgow
The city’s alive with the sound of pipe music every summer. The week-long Piping Live! event, from August 7 to 13 this year, sees Glasgow become a worldwide stage. The centrepiece is the World Pipe Band Championships on August 11/12 at Glasgow Green. Around 3000 pipers will descend on the city for a kilted weekend of fun.
Price: £
Where: The National Piping Centre, 30-34 McPhater Street, Glasgow, G4 0HW
Tel: 0141 353 0220
9. City Chambers, Glasgow
Play spot the TV show or movie on a tour of Glasgow City Chambers. It has dominated George Square for almost 130 years and is the political power base – but it’s much more interesting than that. Tours are free and you’ll find out about one of the most ornate buildings in Scotland. You’ll also have fun spotting bits used on-screen – from period drama Rillington Place to Still Game.
Price: £
Where: Glasgow City Chambers, George Square, Glasgow, G2 1DU
Tel: 0141 287 4018
© John Ireland10. New Lanark, Lanark
It takes quite something to merit World Heritage Site status – Scotland only has six – but a visit to New Lanark soon shows just why it earned the plaudit. It’s that magical mix of history and beauty, a pioneering 18th Century cotton mill village which has the stunning backdrop of the Falls Of Clyde. As you make your way down the hill you can see why water power ruled. It’s famous for the enlightened stewardship of social pioneer Robert Owen. And his house, by the millworkers’ houses, is just one of the things you’ll want to tick off your list on the vast site. Generations of kids have enjoyed hopping aboard the Annie McLeod Experience Ride, being transported in motorised pods while hearing about the life of the 1820s mill girl. And they can also dress up like schoolkids of her time in the Historic Classroom.
Price: ££
Where: New Lanark, New Lanark Road, Lanark, ML11 9DB
Tel: 01555 661 345
11. Central Gurdwara, Glasgow
You don’t have to be religious to find Glasgow’s Central Gurdwara – “House of God” – fascinating. The Sikh temple is Scotland’s largest place of worship. You’ll be astonished by the gold dome.
Price: £
Where: Central Gurdwara, 138 Berkeley Street, Glasgow, G3 7HY
Tel: 0141 221 6698
12. Hampden Experience, Glasgow
Footie fans will love the Hampden Experience at the national stadium. The Scottish Football Museum tells the story of the beautiful game from a Scots perspective. You can sit in the original dressing room from Hampden Park, go through an old-style turnstyle and relive Archie Gemmill’s legendary goal against Holland. Stadium tours are also available.
Price: ££
Where: Scottish Football Museum, Hampden Park, Glasgow, G42 9BA
Tel: 0141 616 6139
13. Summerlee, Coatbridge
If you think a museum is dry, dusty and quiet – you’ve never been to Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life. Built on old ironworks, it got a £10m redevelopment a few years back and is a hands-on, get-stuck-in day of fun for the family. There’s a replica of the Vulcan canal barge, the world’s first iron-hulled vessel and an exhibition hall full of working machinery and interactive displays. Take a ride into the past on the Edwardian tram. It’ll take you to the miners’ row where you can see how they lived back to the 1840s. And you can take a tour down the mine shaft to experience how harsh life was underground. Kids will enjoy the playpark – while everyone will love the traditional sweetie shop stocked with old faves.
Price: ££
Where: Summerlee, Heritage Way, Coatbridge, ML5 1QD
Tel: 01236 638 460
14. Pollok House, Glasgow
Get a feel of real-life Downton Abbey at Pollok House. In the mansion’s heyday there were 45 servants for just three family members and you can see them all lined up in staff photos in the servants’ quarters. The end of the corridor is where the kitchens were and that’s now a great cafe/restaurant. The house is undergoing work until April, but downstairs is open.
Price: £
Where: Pollok House, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow, G43 1AT
Tel: 0141 616 6410
nts.org.uk/Property/Pollok-House
Want to explore more of Scotland? Head to our Scottish Gems section.
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