Celebrate 850 years of Glasgow—here's what to see and do
Glasgow is famously friendly — and famously rainy, with some 170 drizzly days each year. But the grey weather comes with an upside: this city pours its heart and soul into its cultural pursuits. After all, when there's little chance of lolling around in the sun, you may as well start an art movement, a band or a restaurant.
The household names to have come out of Glasgow are legion — from designer-architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, football manager Alex Ferguson and singer Lulu to actor Peter Capaldi and comedian Frankie Boyle — and you'll find some of the UK's best theatres, music venues and museums here.
Walking around the city centre, Glasgow's prosperous past is evident: its grand Victorian banking halls, civic buildings and merchants' homes serve as towering sandstone reminders of its 19th-century status as the second city of the British Empire. Once, more than half of Britain's tobacco was landed on the River Clyde and a fifth of the world's ships were built here. Its decline was painful, with the late-20th-century shutdown of shipbuilders, coal mines and steelworks resulting in mass unemployment. Though the city still ranks as one of the UK's poorest, Glasgow has undergone decades of regeneration. One example is its celebrated Citizens Theatre due to reopen after major refurbishment this year.
Many attractions lie inside the curled arms of the M8 and M74, which run close to the historic centre. However, it's worth branching out to the West End, where you'll find Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of the city's finest, as well as the Botanic Gardens and the Mackintosh House.
This is a city that rewards exploration on two feet, allowing you to change your plans on a whim and follow the sound of live folk music or the smell of Scottish beef sizzling on a grill. You'll find most Glaswegians keen to pause for a chat, too; be ready to get waylaid for a good old 'blether'.
Merchant City Tour: A UNESCO City of Music and home to numerous superb small venues, Glasgow has music tour takes in some of the top musical sites, telling tales of famous names and infamous gigs. You'll see the two-centuries-old The Clutha, a bar that's hosted everyone from Woodie Guthrie to Frank Zappa, and Barrowland Ballroom, a venue that counts Oasis, Metallica and LCD Soundsystem among its past performers.
Clydeside Distillery: Opened on the waterfront in 2017, this distillery turns out fine Lowland-style whiskies, including Napier, matured in sherry casks for a sweeter finish. You could take a straightforward one-hour whisky tour, but why do just that when there's a chocolate-and-whisky tour on offer? You'll sample five different drams, each paired with a chocolate made by artisan producer Sugarsnap.
Glasgow Street Art Tour: This guided 90-minute walk offers insight into the city's character. It includes political and historical works by locally based artists like Smug and Rogue-One — the latter's depictions of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Billy Connolly are a highlight — and a legal graffiti site on the Clyde Walkway, where artists have free rein as part of a pilot scheme.
Burrell Collection: If you only have time for one of Glasgow's many free-to-enter museums, don't miss the collection amassed by shipping magnate William Burrell. Gifted to the city in 1944, its 9,000 objects include The Red Ballet Skirts by Edgar Degas and a bronze cast of The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. The Burrell Collection is set within Pollok Country Park, where you can also see ginger-coated Highland cows.
Mackintosh at the Willow: Designer- architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh was born in Glasgow in 1868 and pioneered the distinctive Glasgow Style, a form of art nouveau. He also designed many buildings in the city, including this tearoom on Sauchiehall Street. As well as serving cream teas, it houses an exhibition about Mackintosh and a shop selling cards, glassworks and jewellery in his style.
Glasgow Necropolis: Sprawled across a hill beside Glasgow Cathedral (the city's oldest building), this Victorian cemetery is home to 3,500 tombs, many incredibly ornate. Wander amid the graves of merchants, shipowners and politicians to find the Celtic cross designed by Mackintosh.
The Social Hub: On the edge of Merchant City, straightforward hotel rooms are mixed with extended-stay accommodation, with everyone coming together on the open-plan ground floor to dine in the classy cafe. Bedrooms are simple, but the best have far-reaching views of the city.
The Address Glasgow: This 1920s building with a neo-classical facade is in the heart of the centre, close to train stations and many of Glasgow's best restaurants — try Sugo for pasta. No two bedrooms are alike; the pouting red lips behind reception nod to the fun artworks you'll find throughout.
Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel: This five-star spot on one of Glasgow's finest Georgian squares has bedrooms decorated in dark marble and cosy tweed. There's a spacious spa, with Scottish island-themed hydrotherapy pools and thermal suites, and the on-site restaurant Iasg ('fish' in Gaelic) serves sustainable Scottish seafood, including smoked salmon and Cumbrae oysters.
Royâ: You'll be tempted to order every dish you see landing on nearby tables at this homely Middle Eastern restaurant in the city centre, from the fiery red mouhamara dip dotted with pomegranate seeds to the charred corn ribs crumbled with feta. Alongside the many vegan and vegetarian options, there are also meat kebabs.
Brett: Nab a seat at the chef's counter of this intimate restaurant on Great Western Road and you'll realise why it's worth the 25-minute walk west from the city centre. Dishes have a decidedly Michelin air — the restaurant's sister venue, Cail Bruich, currently holds one star — and include the likes of monkfish served with bergamot, wild garlic and fermented fennel.
Gamba: Occupying a warm and welcoming basement on West George Street in the city centre, this elegant restaurant serves Scottish seafood with a twist — from scallop sashimi to classics like lobster thermidor. Settle in with its well-chosen wine list and extensive whisky selection.
The Hidden Lane: Duck down this colourful lane off Argyle Street, in Finnieston, to find bespoke jewellery at the studios of Heather McDermott and Fiona Hutchison-Barr; sustainable fashion at House of Black; and pick and mix at Simba's Sweets. You can refuel with homemade cake at The Hidden Lane Tearoom.
Foodies by SDX: Small producers can struggle to get a look in on city high streets, which is why the Scottish Design Exchange gives the best homegrown brands a chance to appear in its shop window. Its food-focused store in Buchanan Galleries stocks a range of local produce, from hot sauces and honeys to crisps and oatcakes.
Monorail Music: Glasgow has a selection of record shops to root around in. One of the best is central Monorail Music, loved by collectors for its curated selection of LPs and regular small gigs and events. Assai Records is another vinyl specialist and its Sauchiehall Street store includes a rack of Scottish music.
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut: Opened in 1990 and beloved since, this intimate music venue on central St Vincent Street invites you to squish down a bit, get cosy in the crowd and stand within guitar-swinging distance of the stage. Often one of the first venues played by emerging artists, this is a place to discover the next big thing, having hosted everyone from Pulp to Biffy Clyro.
Devil of Brooklyn: The interior of this city centre cocktail bar, located in a former banking hall, is a mix of hanging plants, flickering candles, neon-red ceiling lights and a marble fireplace. The grand, historic setting is teamed with a very current drinks list, featuring all manner of homemade ingredients as well as unusual vermouths and liqueurs.
The Pot Still: This long-standing whisky joint in the heart of Glasgow claims to serve more than 1,000 different drams, and staff take pride in finding every customer their perfect match. Prime spots are the red-leather banquette seats or bar-side, where you can rest an elbow while scanning the bottle-lined walls.
Shop for one-offs: The city's markets are the best places to unearth a bargain. Established in 1921, The Barras in the East End is open every weekend and good for antiques and vintage fashion, while the twice-monthly Park Lane Market in the suburb of Shawlands is the place to go for artwork, jewellery and handmade clothing.
Hear Grassroots music: Discover new names at the city's smaller venues. For folk, head along to the relaxed sessions at The Lismore, in Partick; for jazz, visit the city centre's The Butterfly and the Pig, a Georgian townhouse with a small basement stage that hosts students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Head for Dennistoun: Duke Street is the main drag of this up-and-coming easterly suburb. It's home to an enticing food scene, including Tibo for brunch and the family-run institution Coia's Café. Pubs take over at night: both Redmond's and The Palais Bar have craft beer, live music and great cocktails.
Published in the March 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Jenna Ortega's Wide-Brimmed Hat and Sunglasses Are a Monday Mood
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I've never been more proud to be Gen Z. Between Olivia Rodrigo, Marsai Martin, and Jenna Ortega, fashion girls my age have solidified our generation as the one to watch on the style scene. At just 22 years old, Ortega's fashion prowess rivals that of red carpet veterans, showcased in spades on the Wednesday Season 2 press tour. Last week, Ortega (and her stylist, Enrique Melendez) hypnotized fans with gothic glamour from Ashi Studio, Givenchy, and Vivienne Westwood. The overall theme for week one? Haunting yet haute. Week two, however, is off to a tailored start. On August 4, Ortega arrived at Good Morning America in a structured skirt suit, complete with a shoulder-padded blazer and a calf-length pencil skirt. The oversize lapels and plunging neckline gave Morticia Addams energy, if she worked a corporate 9-5. The cherry on top of this Morticia-ish moment was a black fedora, which covered most of her sightline. It featured the flat, cylindrical crown of a top hat, while the elongated brim mimicked a sun hat's floppiness. Occasionally, Ortega's oval-shaped Dezi sunglasses peeked out from underneath the hat's low-hanging ledge. Perhaps this paid homage to Wednesday's signature fringe, which, similar to the hat, swoops below her eyebrows. At just 5'1", Ortega is always on board for sky-high stilettos. This morning, she debuted her highest heels yet for Wednesday Season 2: Christian Louboutin's Cassia Pumps. The $995 red bottoms originally debuted in the Spring 2025 collection, alongside fellow ballet-inspired silhouettes. Ortega's square-toe style mirrors traditional pointe shoes, minus the lace-up ribbons seen on other models. View Deal Ortega's bleached brows have been a focal point of her Wednesday tour, so she's opted out of hats until now. During the Season 1 circuit, though, the actor attended the Netflix hit's premiere wearing a sheer veil, adding even more allure to her lacy Versace gown. Looking back, Ortega's suit set is by far the easiest set to copy from herWednesday run—if you're cool with going full fall mode ahead of schedule. Shop Suits Inspired by Jenna Ortega View Deal View Deal View Deal View Deal
NBC News
18 hours ago
- NBC News
Vampires, romance and billionaires: The bite-size Chinese shows gaining U.S. fans
HONG KONG — As U.S. television series produce longer and fewer episodes, a new genre from China is gaining American fans by going in the opposite direction. Known as minidramas, micro dramas or vertical dramas, they are soap operas condensed into a minute or two per episode. Each show, reminiscent of a telenovela, is split into dozens of chapters, each about two minutes long and with all the soapy elements: cheesy romance, over-the-top drama and abundant cliff-hangers. 'The revenge ones, oh, my God, they're so good,' California-based retail business owner Jacarius Murphy told NBC News in a video interview. Murphy is a fan of the minidramas, known as duanju in Chinese, which focus heavily on romance, revenge and fantasy. The stories tend to involve wealthy characters such as a chief executive who's secretly a vampire or a billionaire living a double life — characters often played by American actors. 'People want this fast dopamine hit, and they can snack on it while they're waiting,' said Anina Net, an American actress based in Los Angeles who has worked on minidramas for the past four years. The genre originated in China, where production companies have tapped into the popularity of short-form, vertical-produced, TikTok-style video content. About half of China's 1.4 billion people consume dramas in this style, according to a report released in March by the state-owned China Netcasting Services Association. The industry made $6.9 billion in revenue last year, more than China's total box office sales. The shows are 'still quite limited in genre, mostly romance-focused, with sweet, domineering CEO tropes and modern settings,' said Kaidi Dai, a Shanghai-based minidrama producer. Now, having figured out the Chinese market, the same companies are expanding into the U.S., where minidramas are finding success just a few years after the failure of Quibi, a short-lived, short-form mobile streaming service. The shows are available on platforms such as ReelShort, DramaBox and GoodShort, which offers free episodes and in-app purchases as well as subscriptions. Minidramas cost far less to make than standard TV shows and can make millions of dollars in revenue through a combination of user purchases and advertising. But adapting them to the U.S. market takes some tweaking, said Chinese filmmaker Gao Feng, also known as Frank Tian, who has a minidrama production company based in New York. Rather than remaking Chinese shows, his company hired longtime U.S. residents to craft stories that would appeal to American audiences. 'I believe that scripts determine 65-70% of a project's success,' he said in an interview. 'Apart from werewolves, CEO romances and hidden identities, we should explore new genres.' While many short dramas have been based on successful Chinese stories, 'if a platform cannot innovate continuously, it will face significant challenges,' he added. Among the most popular shows is 'The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband,' which tells the story of a woman whose husband is better off financially than he appears. All 60 episodes can be viewed in less than 70 minutes on ReelShort, the California-based, Chinese-backed minidrama platform that released it in 2023. 'Hilariously bad, oddly addictive,' reads one IMDb review of the show, which had more than 485 million views on ReelShort as of Friday. The Chinese-backed short-video app has vied with TikTok as the most popular product in the entertainment section of Apple's U.S. app store. 'The short videos on TikTok have laid a solid foundation for the popularity of short dramas,' Yan Min, who helped organize an industry conference in China last year, said in an interview. Min said ReelShort and other companies were advertising on platforms such as YouTube and TikTok to attract new users, catering to the 'evolving viewing habits of younger generations, who have grown up with platforms like TikTok and are accustomed to short, engaging content.' U.S. entertainment companies have taken notice of the trend. Netflix said in May that it was testing a vertical feed made up of clips from its shows and movies, while Disney said last month that it was investing in DramaBox through its accelerator program. Though minidramas seeking U.S. audiences are increasingly using actors with American backgrounds, they often shoot in scenic Chinese locations like the coastal city of Qingdao, with its Western-style villas and architecture, for greater authenticity. 'We seek actors and screenwriters who grew up in the U.S. and naturally embody an American style. Then we incorporate some Chinese elements,' said Ann An, a Beijing-based freelance producer for several minidramas made for foreign audiences. Turnarounds are incredibly fast in the industry as producers strive to keep costs low. An said a show can finish filming in 10 days, with a budget of under $70,000. The biggest key to the success of minidramas, though, is the cliff-hangers, which push viewers to keep paying for the next episode. 'The scriptwriters know exactly where to place these cliff-hangers, and they execute them very well,' said Apple Yang, a minidrama director based in London. That helps explain the appeal of minidramas even if their overall quality is sometimes 'underwhelming,' said Ying Zhu, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University's Academy of Film. 'Make the dialogue real and less mechanic. Make it funny when possible and biting when needed,' Zhu said. 'One minute can pack in a lot of info if done well.'
National Geographic
19 hours ago
- National Geographic
Inside Pittsburgh's iconic pickle festival
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Ten glass jars of briny pickle juice are lined up on tables swathed in neon green and yellow cloths. Each is filled to the brim with just under a litre of the acidic liquid, and behind them there's a row of competitors gearing up to chug the contents. While many seem confident, playing up to the crowd with frenetic waving, others shift on the spot, eyeing the jars nervously while contemplating their decision to participate in this curious event. After a run through of the rules — no hands off the jar until you're finished, and no excessive spillage — the participants inch closer to the table and unscrew the jars' lids, liberating the sour scent. 'Three, two, one, go!' a voice screeches over a microphone, and in swift synchronicity, the contestants knock their heads back and bring the jars up to their gaping mouths. Clapping rips through the crowd, each spectator looking on in awe, disbelief or disgust. Within eight seconds, an emptied jar is slammed back onto the table, the pale-faced victor spitting into his waste bag before raising his arms in triumph. This curious ritual is one of three 'dill-cathalon' games — the others being pickle bobbing and pickle eating — that encapsulate the chaotic and competitive spirit of Picklesburgh, an annual festival which transforms Downtown Pittsburgh into a three-day celebration of all things pickle, gherkins and dill. Pickle-reletated memorabilia is in hot demand at Picklesburgh. Photograph by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Founded in 2015 by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a non-profit organisation developing community initiatives in the area, the event was created to recognise the city's connection to the humble pickle, from its origins as the birthplace of Heinz (which first bottled pickled condiments in Sharpsburg, just across the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh, before creating its iconic ketchup) to more multicultural iterations of the delicacy found in the city today. 'There wasn't much on here in the summer months and we wanted to change that,' explains Jeremy Waldrup, president and CEO of the partnership. Its debut saw 20,000 pickle fanatics descend on the city. This year — the festival's 10th anniversary — saw 200,000 attendees peruse almost 60 stalls stretching from PPG Plaza to Market Square and continuing across two of the city's Three Sisters bridges. 'It's taken on a life of its own. We see this as much more than a street festival — it's a uniquely Pittsburgh celebration we're proud to be stewards of.' My exploration of pickled goods begins at the Roberto Clemente Bridge, where I notice a giant inflatable pickle floating in the sky before I stop at Pittsburgh Mobile Bars to try some pickled pink lemonade. Visually, it's got a signature rosy-coloured tint, but a sip quickly reveals a sharp tang slicing through the sherbet. It's zingy with a strong taste of dill, yet somehow not overpowering. 'Every year, the pickled pink lemonade seems to be very popular,' says team member Heather Luimes, who mentions that the bar also serves an alcoholic version made with vodka later in the day. Any initial reservations I might've had subside; it's the perfect cooler on a hot July afternoon. Next, The Brinery at Two Acre Farm offers sliced pickles stuffed into a cup of juice infused with maple, bourbon and peach, while Burgatory serves up pickled smash burgers with layers of gooey cheese, crispy bacon and chunky tomato slices. One of the longest lines is for Giovanni's on Sixth Street, where large slices of pizza topped with pickles, bacon and onion are being churned out to meet relentless demand. I make my way to Andy Warhol Bridge and stop at the Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop stand. 'We're Pittsburgh born and Pittsburgh proud, so it [Picklesburgh] is somewhere we have to be,' says Kate Speer, Grandpa Joe's VP of marketing and brand development. Treats on offer include the company's bestselling pickle saltwater taffy. At first, the pale-green candy's flavour is gentle, but the dill quickly gains momentum as the stretchy remnants stick to the roof of my mouth. Another sweet treat gaining traction is Redbeard's pickle mango sorbet, which has liquidised in the heat. The sorbet, now resembling a slushie, is punchy — the mango flavour fades but the tang of pickle lingers. Many of the stalls are operated by businesses from across southwestern Pennsylvania, and 'many of them have been with us for the entire 10 years', says Jeremy. One such vendor is Gosia's Pierogies, run by Terry Smith-Rawecki and her husband Jan. Every year, they put a briny spin on the classic Polish dumplings with their limited-edition dill pickle pierogi, also made with potato and cheese. The dumpling recipe is from Terry's family in Poland, and the remaining ingredients are a closely guarded secret. 'Picklesburgh makes us very proud of the work we do,' says Terry. 'I'll be there until I'm physically unable [to return].' The festival hosts three 'dill-cathalon' games — pickle juice drinking, pickle bobbing and pickle eating. Photograph by Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership Over on PPG Plaza, intergenerational festivalgoers fly through air as they're flung off a bucking mechanical pickle, arms flailing, onto an inflatable mat below. The ride, a new addition for this year, resembles an oversized, asymmetrical pickle fitted with a single front handle and Velcro strap. It careens erratically, tilting riders in all directions before vaulting them off. Excitement spills out from under the tent, the crowd cheering for those managing to stay on for more than half a minute and offering a consolatory clap for those on the mat within seconds. Once defeated, participants receive green, sparkly medals and rejoin the masses, brows sweatier than before. In its decade of existence, Picklesburgh has solidified itself as a flagship event not only for the city, but its 50,000 out-of-state and international visitors, too. 'There are folks from all walks of life coming together, from those in their business clothes on a Friday afternoon lunch excursion to others who've made their own T-shirts because they're excited to celebrate the pickle,' says Jeremy. 'I love how our businesses and our community have taken this event on.' Amid the memorabilia emblazoned with puns, including 'I'm kind of a big dill', three friends clad in pickle costumes stand out. 'This is a holiday for us,' say Alexandria Sahyoun, Aidan McDanel and Julia Gurevitz in unison, their upbeat, breathless voices overlapping. They've each just had a turn riding the pickle and their cheeks are flushed as they fiddle with the medals they received for taking on the challenge. Originally from neighbouring Ohio, they've been coming to all three days of Picklesburgh for the last five years. 'This is our Christmas and our New Year's Eve. We're here every year — we can't miss it.' Picklesburgh takes place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and is free to attend. Pittsburgh Regional Transit provides bus, light rail, and incline services across the city, and from Pittsburgh International Airport. Taxis are also widely available. Stay at Tryp by Wyndham in Lawrenceville, double rooms from $148 (£110). For more information, head to Visit Pittsburgh. This story was created with the support of Visit Pittsburgh. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
