| REGIONS
Scotland's largest city, and frequently described
as the UK's finest Victorian city, Glasgow has reached
its current pre-eminence by the drive and determination
of its people to tell the world about its stunning architecture,
heritage and vibrant culture.
Its already burgeoning reputation was considerably
enhanced on the world stage with the opening of the
Burrell Collection, hosting the UK Garden Festival,
and the ultimate accolade of the Cultural Capital of
Europe in 1990.
Arts, Museums and Festivals
The city houses some of the finest arts treasures in
the world. Nowhere is this more obvious than at the
Burrell Collection with more than 8000 items from Chinese
Ceramics to the French Impressionists.
Pride of place in St Mungo Museum of Religious Life
and Art is given to Salvador Dalis's masterpiece - 'Christ
of St John of the Cross', and several of his compatriots'
works are hung in Pollok House. The Hunterian Art Gallery
in the city's West End boasts the James McNeill Whistler
Collection, and the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum,
in Kelvingrove, houses one of the finest civic art collections
in Europe.
The city is tremendously proud of its most famous son
- designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh - whose intriguing
art nouveau style is still much admired almost a century
after it appeared. If you are in the city centre, Glasgow
School of Art or the Willow Tea Room are an excellent
introduction to the work of this genius.
Ranging from the world's leading orchestras in the
prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, the city has
an outstanding year-round programme of events from festivals
to visual arts and craft exhibitions. It is home to
many national arts organisations, including Scottish
Opera, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Scottish
Ballet, the Scottish Early Music Consort, and the renowned
Citizens Theatre. And Mayfest is now the UK's second
largest arts festival and is complemented by the International
Jazz Festival.
Atmospheric Shopping in the City
Glaswegians love to shop and the city offers some of
the best shopping facilities in the country. From elegant
malls to small boutiques, there is something to suit
all tastes and budgets. If it is sophisticated top-quality
designer names you seek, visit the stylish Princes Square,
or the Italian Centre - a conversion of a handsome Merchant
City building. And the St Enoch Centre is the largest
glass covered shopping centre in Europe with 80 stores
and an extensive food court.
By contrast, hundred of traders sell their wares at
the Barras Market - part flea market, part entertainment
and an intrinsic part of the Glasgow shopping experience.
Eating, Drinking and a Good Ceilidh
Glaswegians are warm, loveable people with a tremendous
sense of self deprecating humour and their personalities
are reflected in the city's astonishing variety of pubs,
wine bars and other places of conviviality - renowned
for their character and friendliness.
Haunts of the locals - such as The Horseshoe, with
the longest bar in Glasgow, guarantee that visitors
will have an authentic Glasgow pub experience, and the
food is exceedingly wholesome. Many of them offer live
entertainment in the form of comedy, music and dance.
Scottish dance nights, better known as ceilidhs, are
held in lively venues all over the city. These are informal
gatherings with splendid folk music and dance where
visitors are always welcome. The restaurant scene is
diverse and very cosmopolitan; Cottiers (a converted
church) specialises in authentic south-west American
cuisine; Maxaiuna offers a mix of Mediterranean, Chinese
and American cuisine in a restaurant bar and cafe complex.
There are restaurants and cafe bars to suit every palate
and you will be surprised at how inexpensive dining
out can be.
The clubs and night-spot scenes are as contemporary
and fashion conscious as anywhere in Europe and, again,
the accent is on fun in the most hospitable of cities.
Nowhere else in Scotland is quite like Glasgow. It is
definitely different - radiating confidence and friendliness
in a down-to-earth way. Everyone you meet will be more
than happy to help you make the most of your visit.
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