Glasgow, Scotland, what to see, where to go?

[minimalistix]

Planning my vacation for next year and thinking about going to Glasgow.

I have a few questions. Haven't had a chance to do a lot of research on the town.

What's the best time of year to go? I'm planning to go for about week between April til August. I'll probably be by myself. (Friends can't afford the trip, girlfriend can't go either)

What is there to do? I do like art museum and bars. (Not much into clubs
anymore, but I'll probably drop in one or two)

Any tours I should take?

Is it easy to get around the city? Is there a subway?

[highlander_Daz]

I really dont Like Glasgow, a lot of nice people, a lot of Not so nice people. I really do strongly suggest Edinburgh, its much safer and more to see.

However if you feel you must go to Glasgow there is an underground

http://clyde-valley.com/glasgow/under.htm


http://clyde-valley.com/glasgow/


Heres a cpouple of sites to give you an insight.

BE careful !!

[Colin]

Planning my vacation for next year and thinking about going to Glasgow.

I have a few questions. Haven't had a chance to do a lot of research on the town.

What's the best time of year to go? I'm planning to go for about week between April til August. I'll probably be by myself. (Friends can't afford the trip, girlfriend can't go either)

What is there to do? I do like art museum and bars. (Not much into clubs
anymore, but I'll probably drop in one or two)

Any tours I should take?

Is it easy to get around the city? Is there a subway?

First place to go is the bus station and get on a bus anywhere else

Just kidding. Glasgow may not have been as enjoyable as some of the other Scottish cities and towns I visted, but it did offer it's own fun. Though I would suggest Edinburgh more if you were looking for a big city to hang out in.

In terms of time, I was there mid to late May and it was the perfect time (weatherwise). Scotland actually has a fantastic coach system for getting around between towns. So travel is not an issue. Just be sure to check the season schedules (high and off season). The hostels in Scotland were also great and I cannot think of a bad one (that we stayed at anyway).

In Glasgow the university area is quite nice and there is a neat little shopping district closed down to vehicles. The GOMA (Gallery of Modern Art) is pretty interesting. Glasgow is also trying to bill itself as a centre for arcitecture and the mix between old and new is quite interesting.

In all seriousness though, Glasgow was the one city I will skip or spend less time in next time I am in Scotland. I much prefered the capitol, the highlands, and even Oban to the rush and big city feel of Glasgow. Worth a visit, but not worth the whole trip.

Have fun.

[minimalistix]

Edinburgh would be fine also.

Side note, I love towns like New York City, Chicago, New Oreleans (prior to Katrina of course)

[Colin]

Edinburgh would be fine also.

Side note, I love towns like New York City, Chicago, New Oreleans (prior to Katrina of course)

As far as I can remember you can catch a bus at the airport in Glasgow that will take you to Edinbugh (not that long of a trip either). If you are staying in hostels check out Brodies Hostel in Edinburgh. Right in the heart of the city and a great place to boot (at least it was 5 years ago) http://www.brodieshostels.co.uk/

[highlander_Daz]

Edinburgh has an airport ! and theres tons of places to stay.

[Colin]

Edinburgh has an airport ! and theres tons of places to stay.

Yeah, but it's usually easier to get deals to Manchester or Glasgow from North America than it is to fly into Edinburgh.

[jfellrath]

I know some of you will call me crazy or even misguided here, but I think one of the greatest things to see in Glasgow is a football match with either Celtic or Rangers. If you're into sports at all, you'll enjoy the heck out of it.

Now, I'd advise heavily against seeing them play EACH OTHER, as that's a war waiting to happen. Plus, you'll never get tickets.

My wife and I attended a Celtic match while we were in Glasgow and had a great time - folks were very friendly and pleased to see Yanks who knew their "fitba" and were interested in their team. And the experience in the stadium itself puts American sports to shame - the fans sing and chant the WHOLE MATCH. It's inspiring.

Advice, though - stick around the stadium after the game and catch a taxi out of there. There's not any tailgating before or afterward, but the area around Celtic Park isn't the greatest neighborhood. I'd advise getting taxis to and from the game if possible. Most folks just head straight out of the stadium and go home or to the local pubs after the game.

Ibrox, where Rangers plays, is a nicer neighborhood, but even then you want to watch yourself. Avoid wearing team colors (green/white for Celtic, blue for Rangers) in either case, IMHO. As another thread said, many pubs and such won't even allow you in if you're wearing football colors because of the violence issue.

Boy, I'm not doing a good job of selling this as a thing to do there, am I? I guess I'll sum up by saying it's GREAT fun (if you're into sports, which we are).

[highlander_Daz]

Theres nothing like an old firm match but again be careful. Parkhead is a superb stadia, there are some great pubs around there. Glasgow has its parts but for me its cons always outweighs its pros. my favourite part is Necropolis its so atmospheric

http://www.headstones.fsnet.co.uk/gnecrop.htm

[Robin]

Ah! another one for the Scotland X Marks gathering 8-)

Early August? ;-)