Glasgow’s treasures

Glasgow is a treasure trove of art and architecture. Home to contemporary artists like Jim Lambie and David Shrigley, Glasgow has made a name for itself in the international art world.

The Glasgow School of Art is famous for its prestigious alumni and its Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture – a powerful influence for Art Nouveau and for the Modernist movement. If you are a fan of Mackintosh’s style, visit The Hill House, The Willow Tearooms, the House for an Art Lover and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – this houses one of the greatest civic art collections in Europe, including works by Botticelli, Rembrandt and Dali and many Scottish artists.

Retail therapy

Glasgow is a shopper’s paradise. It is the second-largest shopping centre in the UK with arcades, open-air markets and shopping precincts. The main shopping area is in the heart of Glasgow and is for foot traffic only. Browse the shops at your own leisurely pace in Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street. If you are looking for the perfect piece of jewellery to add the finishing touch to your outfit, head to the Argyll Arcade. It has over 30 jewellery stores and is one of Britain’s oldest covered arcades. If you prefer to do your shopping all under one roof, the Buchanan Galleries is your best option.

For the latest fashion trends visit Exchange Square, Ingram Street and Princes Square. If you are shopping for antiques, visit the Barras open-air street market in the East End and De Courcy’s Antique Craft Arcade in the West End.

Where to go for a good time

You will never be short of entertainment options in Glasgow. A number of musicians, bands, comedians and entertainers have graced the city’s nightspots including Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand and Billy Connolly. If you fancy going to a gig or concert, the Barrowlands, Arches, Bartly and Glasgow Academy and any number of pubs and bars offer live entertainment.
Festivals are also popular in Glasgow. You can visit the Glasgow Film Festival, Glasgow River Festival, West End Festival, Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival or Aye Write Book Festival.

A weekend escape

If you only have a long weekend to discover Glasgow’s magic, here is an itinerary to make the most of your time.

Day 1
If you go in mid-July head for the Glasgow River Festival. The festival celebrates the River Clyde and you can enjoy boat trips, dingy rides and tall ship displays. If your trip does not coincide with the festival you can explore the riverside history of Glasgow on foot or by bicycle. Just follow the Clyde from the centre of town to Glasgow Green, stop off for a look at the People’s Palace social history museum and finish the day off with a fish supper at Roganos – a renowned Art Deco restaurant.

Day 2
Hit the shops on Saturday or Sunday with an early morning visit to Barras Market. It has been selling a variety of bric-a-brac since the turn of last century. Some of the market stalls are set up under the Barrowlands – a famous music venue. After your visit to the market head into the city centre to trendy Ingram Street in the Merchant City. Take time out for a cultural experience at the Gallery of Modern Art. Round off Day 2 with a trip to the Uisge Beatha (meaning ‘water of life’) whisky specialist.

Day 3
Time to visit the park but not just any park, Kelvingrove. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, Kelvingrove consists of 34 manicured hectares of pristine Victorian gardens. You can also visit the recently refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It houses a Rennie Mackintosh gallery, a collection of Egyptian treasures and over 8,000 works of art.

Getting there

Travelling by road

If you plan to drive, the road links to Scotland are first rate, traffic permitting of course. If you are driving from Edinburgh the trip should take about one hour, from Manchester – three hours 50 minutes and London – seven hours.

If you do not mind sitting for about 10 hours, you could travel by coach. It is probably the cheapest option although it does take the longest.

Travelling by train

If you have the time, take the scenic route to Glasgow by train. Glasgow’s two main train stations, Central and Queen Street, connect you with Strathclyde, Ayrshire and Lanarkshire regions with First ScotRail, and London and other major UK cities via west and east coast routes with National Express and Virgin.

Travelling by plane

You can catch a direct flight to Glasgow from London airports, provincial UK airports and Ireland. Glasgow International is 10 minutes away from the city and Prestwick is 30 minutes away. Prestwick also has its own dedicated train station.

You can fly with BA, easyJet, BMIbaby, FlyBe, Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Loganair. For more flight options, visit FlightMapping dot com/UK/Glasgow/.

Glasgow travel information
For more information and holiday ideas visit VisitScotland dot com and Glasgow dot gov dot uk/en/AboutGlasgow/Touristattractions/.

Guidebooks are another useful source for ideas, suggestions and travel tips. Try:

• The Glasgow Footprint Pocket Guide
• The Rough Guide to Scotland
• Scotland Lonely Planet Country Guide

Travel insurance
Unfortunately, Glasgow does have a reputation as a crime capital. However, the city is as safe as any other city in Western Europe so long as you are careful. Take care when visiting markets, tourist attractions and shopping precincts as pickpockets and thieves may be on the lookout for an easy target. Take extra care at night. For complete peace of mind, get travel insurance cover for all your valuables and personal possessions before you go. Whether you are planning a weekend break or a longer holiday, there are short and long-term travel insurance policies available to suit your needs. Most travel insurance companies offer quick and easy travel insurance quotes online. For a travel insurance quote and more information about the types of travel insurance available visit Direct Line Travel Insurance.

By: Direct Line

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Cheap quotes can be found online at www.directline.com, so visit the site today if you need travel insurance.

Scotland is full of great places to visit, from Edinburgh Castle to the ski resorts of the Highlands. Whether travelers are looking for peace and quiet or a hustling and bustling city, the country has something for everyone.

Outdoor Activities

Backpackers in Scotland seeking a taste of the great outdoors will find the country is home to some of the best walking and hiking trails in the UK. The Dalbeattie to Colvend Trail is particularly popular for a hiking break. The three-hour walk runs through the Dalbeattie Forest, which is home to a large population of Red Squirrels.

During the winter months, skiing is also a big draw and many Scotland hostels are bustling with travelers looking forward to hitting the slopes. Major ski centers in the country can be found at Glenshee, Glencoe, the Lecht, Nevis Range and Cairngorm.

Scotland is similarly well-known for its salmon fishing and travelers can learn how to hook one of their own with fishing lessons offered at many places such as Aviemore, Boat O Garten and Grantown.

Surfing is another great activity in Scotland, as it boasts some of the best surf spots in Europe. Good breaks can be found along the coats between Edinburgh and Eyemouth.

Culture and Heritage

Scotland has a wealth of cultural heritage sights, including the famous Rossyln Chapel which is located in Roslin, Midlothian. Founded in 1446, the chapel has had many famous visitors over the centuries from Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria to William Wordsworth and Sir Walter Scot. It was also featured in the Dan Brown novel, The Da Vinci Code.

Another significant Scottish landmark is Edinburgh Castle, built on the site of a dormant volcano. The castle was constructed in the 12th century by David I and was the birthplace of James VI of Scotland (and I of England). It’s easily accessible from the many Edinburgh hostels located in the Old Town, with some accommodation even boasting views of the impressive castle.

Stirling Castle, meanwhile, played a crucial role in Scotland’s history. Looming over the battlefield where William Wallace (famously played by Mel Gibson in Braveheart) defeated the English in 1297, the castle’s Great Hall is the largest banquet hall ever built in Scotland.

The Neolithic village in Skara Brae, 31km north-west of Kirkwall, is also well worth a visit. It is one of the best preserved villages of this era in Western Europe and was only discovered after a storm uncovered it in 1850.

By: Scottyn

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for Hostelbookers. Paul Scottyn did a backpacking tour of Scotland, he checked out a variety of the country’s budget accommodation, including a number of most Edinburgh hostels.