| There are few better places to enjoy a taste of | | | | If you are just popping out for a drink, choose from |
| Scotland's charm than in our largest city, Glasgow. | | | | coffee shops, style bars, wine bars or good old |
| With a population of 620,000 people situated in 68 | | | | fashioned pubs. Many lay on music or entertainment, |
| square miles of west central Scotland along the | | | | especially during one of the festivals, and Oran Mor |
| banks of the River Clyde the city occupies much of | | | | (Byres Road) even offers one-hour plays at |
| the lower Clyde Valley incorporating suburbs - with an | | | | lunchtime! |
| overall population of 1.4 million people - which extend | | | | Gyms and healthclubs are scattered throughout the |
| into surrounding districts. | | | | city, as are facilities for racquet sports, field and |
| If shopping is your thing, you've come to the right | | | | track, swimming, football, rugby and ice skating. |
| place. Glasgow's reputation for retail shopping is well | | | | If you enjoy skiing, there are dry slopes at Bearsden |
| deserved - and, whatever your taste, you are sure | | | | and Bellahouston, and the upcoming real snow slope |
| to find something to suit. Buchanan Street, Buchanan | | | | at Xscape at Braehead. A few hours in the car will |
| Galleries, Argyle Street and St Enoch Centre are full | | | | take you to ski resorts at Aviemore, Glencoe or |
| of the big high street names. Princes Square, the | | | | Glenshee - amongst others. |
| Italian Centre and the Merchant City have a more | | | | Golf is also available throughout the city, and the |
| design-led offering. And for something a little bit | | | | world famous courses at Troon, Loch Lomond and St |
| different, pop into the West End. Byres Road and | | | | Andrews are within easy reach. |
| surrounding streets offer an eclectic mix of the new | | | | Some of the country's best sailing waters are just |
| and the antique - perfect for an unusual gift or a lazy | | | | outside the city, with marinas at Ardrossan, Largs, |
| afternoon's browsing. | | | | Inverkip and Rhu. |
| Glasgow's cosmopolitan nature is steeped in the city's | | | | Hillwalking, climbing, mountain biking, horse riding, |
| heritage. Glasgow's international reputation for | | | | canoeing, windsurfing, clay pigeon shooting and other |
| shipping and industry brought considerable wealth to | | | | sports and activities can all be found in Greater |
| the city, as can be seen from stunning architecture - | | | | Glasgow and surrounding areas. |
| a rich tapestry of styles and influences, with Victorian | | | | Some of country's most beautiful scenery is within |
| sandstone rubbing shoulders with gothic spires, and | | | | easy reach of Glasgow. Loch Lomond National Park |
| classical edifices beside contemporary structures. | | | | and The Trossachs are within 30 minutes' drive, |
| Unsurprisingly, a number of the city's museums | | | | whilst the West Highland Way begins at Milngavie, |
| celebrate Glasgow's architectural heritage or the | | | | just outside the city's northern limits. The Ayrshire |
| cultural wealth amassed during the shipping heyday. | | | | coast or New Lanark make for good family days out. |
| The Museum of Transport, The Burrell Collection, | | | | Pop through to Edinburgh by car or on the train - the |
| Glasgow School of Art (and the city's many other | | | | journey is less than an hour - to visit the castle, or |
| Macintosh treasures) and Kelvingrove art gallery and | | | | travel further afield to explore the Highlands and |
| museum contrast nicely with the more contemporary: | | | | Islands. |
| The Lighthouse, Gallery of Modern Art and the | | | | Whether you are interested in eating out, shopping, |
| Science Museum. | | | | sports, architecture or art, Glasgow will have |
| Forget those nasty rumours - Glasgow offers a | | | | something for you to enjoy during your visit. A warm |
| wealth of different cuisines, to suit a range of | | | | welcome awaits all the tourists. |
| different budgets. From award-winning restaurants to | | | | This is my first guide covering all the places that a |
| noodle bars, brassieres to old fashioned tea rooms, | | | | tourist should visit in Glasgow. In my second article I |
| the only problem you will have is deciding where to | | | | will provide more information as well as a little bit of |
| go. | | | | history. Watch this space! |