Glasgow: Museums, History and Varied Discoveries

Glasgow combines major museums, Scottish history and green destinations for day trips with special details that only reveal themselves upon closer inspection. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth considering your priorities before choosing a holiday apartment: would you like to focus on art, technology, historic sites or active days? The city offers a range of starting points for all of these interests.

Art, Technology and Special Museum Experiences

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum opened in 1901 and comprises 22 galleries. The themes range from art and animals to Ancient Egypt and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This means you can tailor a museum visit in many different ways: you can select individual collections or combine several themes. During restoration work, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will remain open to visitors. In addition, daily organ concerts are held there on the organ made by Lewis and Co in 1901.

The Riverside Museum is Glasgow’s museum of technology and transport. Its collections reflect the city’s contributions to shipbuilding, train manufacturing and engineering. An authentically recreated cobbled street with shops, houses and a subway station provides an engaging introduction to the history of the city and transport. Interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities complement the collection. Moored beside the Riverside Museum is the Tall Ship, which is regarded as an emblem of Glasgow’s shipbuilding heritage.

Parks, Cycling Routes and Cultural Contrasts

Pollok Country Park is Glasgow’s only country park. A free electric shuttle bus operates in the park seven days a week from 10:00 to 18:15, running a 20- to 30-minute circuit. It connects the park entrance at 2060 Pollokshaws Road with The Burrell Collection and Pollok House. Routes 7 and 75 of the National Cycle Network also run through Pollok Country Park.

The Burrell Collection displays paintings by Manet and Degas, as well as Roman sculptures and Egyptian ceramics. Anyone wishing to combine cultural sightseeing with physical activity can include this museum area and the park in their day’s itinerary. Sustrans Route 7 runs beside the Riverside Museum. This gives you different priorities when choosing accommodation, depending on whether you would rather focus on museum visits or cycling experiences.

Discover Glasgow’s History

Glasgow Necropolis is a historically significant Victorian cemetery covering 37 acres (15 hectares). The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis offer free guided walks. Advance booking is required for the walks. This fixed arrangement is important if you would like to combine a historical attraction with a guided tour.

Glasgow Cathedral is another of the city’s notable historic sites. It is the oldest cathedral on the Scottish mainland and one of only two to survive the Reformation. Its crypt contains the tomb of St Mungo. The City Centre Mural Trail offers a different perspective: it consists of large murals on city buildings and makes urban art a distinct part of exploring the city.

Which Base Is Right for Your Trip?

When looking for a holiday apartment in Glasgow, you can base your decision on the experiences you have planned. Art enthusiasts will find different collections at Kelvingrove and The Burrell Collection. The Riverside Museum focuses on the history of technology and transport, while the Cathedral, Necropolis and Mural Trail offer historical and urban perspectives. For a more active day of travel, Pollok Country Park and the National Cycle Network routes running through it provide another focus.

If you would like to consider other places for your trip planning in addition to Glasgow, you can also look at Carmunnock and Balmaha.

For the higher-level travel overview: Glasgow.