| Scotland | |
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The HIGH life Scotland is famous for its dynamic cities, stunning countryside and thriving cultural scene. Justine Vaisutis provides a guide to one of the most vibrant regions in the UK |
| Glasgow | |
As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is
a place where you are guaranteed to
have a great timeGlasgow stretches along a swathe of the mighty Clyde River, from where it has transformed its once grey, post-industrial shell into a thriving, waterfront city. The city feasts on art, culture and music, from the paintings by Renoir and Degas in the famous Burrell Collection, to the heaving clubs which nurture young musical talent. Add in stunning architecture and multicultural cuisine, and Glasgow has something to offer everyone. Days out Glasgow’s modern buildings sidle up to medieval masterpieces like the spectacular Cathedral, and the city is awash with Art Nouveau facades thanks to renowned Glaswegian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. If shopping is more to your taste, head to the trendy traders along Sauchiehall and Buchanan Streets or pick up a rare bargain at The Barras, Glasgow’s most famous flea market. Eating out Glasgow encompasses everything from sushi to haggis. In the bohemian West End, the student population keeps the prices low and you can sizzle your taste buds at the Wee Curry Shop, or consume a Middle Eastern feast at the Bay Tree Café. In the city, treat yourself to tapas at fashionable Arta or indulge in a pretheatre special, where a two-course meal goes for under £10. Nights out Glasgow is Scotland’s entertainment capital. Enigmatic bars like The Arches, Bar 10 and Bargo woo crowds with charismatic atmospheres, while traditional pubs such as Nice ‘N’ Sleezy and the Drum and Monkey pull relaxed crowds and real ales. Big-name DJs spin their stuff at clubs including Shack and Archaos and Glasgow’s love affair with live music is legendary. King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut has spawned countless British bands and thousands cram into the Barrowlands for international acts. Cultural life Live theatre in Glasgow ranges from dramatic classics at the Theatre Royal and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, to cutting-edge performances at the Citizens’ Theatre and the Tramway. Galleries and museums flourish and there are contemporary works at the Gallery of Modern Art, or European masterpieces at the McLellan Galleries. St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art captures the globe’s religious diversity on canvasses and other mediums. |
