Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ed Webster

1 – Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Located in the West End of the city, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum contains a wide range of artifacts and exhibitions devoted to Glaswegian and more general history. Current exhibitions include a gallery celebrating 500 years of Italian Art, as well as the Glasgow Boys Gallery. The Kelvingrove also provides regular guest talks and lectures, while hosting a series of night events. Highly recommended for families and art lovers wanting to get to grips with Glasgow’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary art trends.

2 – Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace

Recently restored, the Botanic Gardens and Kibble Palace include multiple examples of rare plants and vegetation within its glasshouses, and also features some of the best rose gardens in the United Kingdom. Visitors can also wander around its gardens, which play host to regular concerts, and talks. One of the most well established destinations within Glasgow, the Gardens also cater to family parties.

3 – Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel

Providing insights into Glasgow’s long maritime past, the Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel covers the city’s shipbuilding traditions, while also exploring a number of land based modes of transport. With special tours organised for families, and exhibitions held to celebrate exploration and travel, the Riverside Museum is one of the most unique attractions in the city.

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4 – People’s Palace and Winter Gardens

With a long history as a centre for local art and celebration, the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens tells the story of Glaswegians from 1750 to the present, and represents one of the oldest public spaces in the city.

5 – Glasgow Cathedral

Open since 1197, the Glasgow Cathedral features excellent stained glass windows and a range of different architectural styles. Regular tours are held during the week, and operas and other concerts are conducted in evening slots.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Thomas Duesing

6 – Burrell Collection

Part of County Park, the Burrell Collection includes 8000 objects of interest, as well as a wide range of temporary exhibits. Current collections include studies of ancient civilizations and Gothic and Islamic art. Particularly recommended is the Collection’s tapestry gallery.
art and history

7 – The Tall Ship

Another fine example of Glasgow’s shipyard past, The Tall Ship at the Riverside Museum is one of the few preserved 19th century ships still to be found in the UK. The ship also acts as a way into understanding the history of Scottish trading, and features a number of maritime themed events, as well as regular classes and exhibitions.

8 – Glasgow Science Centre

Ideal for novices and science experts, the Glasgow Science Centre features exhibitions catered to different disciplines and histories. The Centre also includes an IMAX screen and a planetarium.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Francois Schnell

9 – Willow Tearooms

First opened in 1904, the Willow Tearooms are an excellent way to get around from the crowds near Sauchiehall Street. Enjoy sandwiches and tea within an art deco setting, while taking in some of the sights of central Glasgow. The Tearooms also have another venue at nearby Buchanan St.

10 – The Corinthian Club

A dining bar and venue on the Ship Bank, the Corinthian Club boasts Victorian interiors, and includes regular exhibitions and expert talks, with future events set to look at the Paralympics.

Kirsten Johnston  is a freelance copywriter currently working within the hotel and accommodation industry for www.crowneplazaglasgow.co.uk  Kirsten’s passion for writing and desire to travel has provided her with great experience and insight within all areas with the travel industry.

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The castle complex consists of a group of objects originating from the 12th to 20th century, thanks to which a visitor can see how the castle changed over the centuries from the fortress through a royal palace, garrison and finally into a state prison. At a place, where the castle stands now, was a fortress already in the 6th century, built by King Edwin of Northumbria – after whom the city is named.

Edinburgh Castle can be visited either by yourself or you can use the services of local guides, who tell you about the history of the castle, about the battles that took place here and other interesting legends. Another option is to rent an audio guide, which costs about £3.

Visitors should not miss a tour to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which are located about 3.2 km from the castle. Do not be surprised if among the plants you find a cannon ball – during the wedding celebration of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, a cannonball was fired in her honour from the castle and fell to the gardens.

The castle is open daily from 9:30 to 17:00 (during the summer to 18:00) and a basic admission is £15. For further information visit official website of Edinburgh Castle.

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Fingal’s Cave was discovered by an English naturalist Sir Joseph Banks in 1772, during his expedition to Iceland. However the cave was known much earlier and is surrounded by many legends.

It is available either by ferry from the nearby island of Mull, or from the Scottish mainland.

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More than four hundred twenty years ago, there was an active super volcano that existed in the area. A fierce eruption occurred back in the Silurian period which created most of the cauldron-like formation. After the end of the last ice age, a giant glacier had formed in the region and as it receded, it carved out the coe.

Glen Coe, Scotland, UK by Christian Kadluba

The area is less than seven hundred meters wide in many spots and more than sixteen kilometers long. The narrowest point of the coe is known as the Pass of Glen Coe and can be found roughly in the center.

In order to get top Glen Coe, you will need to enter the area at the base of the Meall a’ Bhuiridh mountain, not too far from Rannoch Moor. For nearly 12 kilometers the coe runs almost due west from the moor before making a turn to the northwesterly direction. At the other end of Glen Coe is where you will find Loch Leven and the famous village of Glencoe.

Throughout the length of Glen Coe, you will see the ancient River Coe which was formed as the glacier melted away. At the Pass of Glen Coe, one can see waterfalls as the water makes its way out to the sea.

The resulting properties of Glen Coe are simply amazing. Each year, countless visitors make their way to the area to see the many attractions that the coe has to offer. The site is very popular for those who just like to walk in beautiful surroundings and is known as an adventure for those who love the idea of climbing a rock face.

For those who come to Glen Coe for walking, the best place to start is at the Devil’s Staircase which was cut into the boulders. The staircase is more than 352 meter high and can be a challenge for most people.

Rock climbers who make their way to the area tend to go straight for the 1,018 meter tall Buachaille Etive Mòr. Over the years, climbing the face of the mountain has grown in popularity as a result of countless races and scrambles that have been held in the area over the years.

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Those who are adventurous enough can make their way up to the Loch Skeen. The picturesque views of the area surrounding the peaceful loch are worth the almost hour-long walk it takes to reach.

Grey Mare’s Tail, Scotland, UK by Leon Pettit

Within the park, you will also find an earthwork fortress that dates back to the Iron Age. Known as Tail Burnt, the old fort was built upon a hill that has become known over the years as the Giant’s Grave.

If you are really up for an adventure, then you will need to bring your hiking boots because the trip up the side of White Coomb is a treacherous one. You may need to make your way through a herd of wild goats that live along the slopes of the hill. But the adventure is worth the effort as you stand over Tail Burn Gorge and simply admire the beauty that is the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve.

Since not everyone is willing to take the long and tiring trek up to the top of White Coomb, there is a visitor’s center which comes complete with a CCTV system. From the center, you can watch over the nest of a Peregrine Falcon and even see the entire Tail Burn Gorge. Most of all is that the visitor center offers a state of the art interactive system that will help you to learn more about the nature preserve as well as its long and colorful past.

There’s a reason why so many people over the years have made their way to the Grey Mare’s Tail Nature Reserve. The picturesque views of the valley, gorge and loch are definitely one of the biggest reasons to visit the area. Enjoying a peaceful day in the wilderness and a chance to become closer with Mother Nature is another popular reason that so many have visited the park to date.

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