About Glasgow
“GLASGOW…a must visit destination for 2016”. National Geographic.
Ever tried a deep fried mars bar? Nope? Well that makes 2 of us. Although I’m sure they exist, I can honestly say I have never seen one or met someone who has actually eaten one, during all my years of cycling around Glasgow’s better known cultural highlights.
However, Glasgow is much more than just a centre of gastronomic excellence.
Its more recent triumphs include:-
Hosting the 3rd U.K. Garden Festival in 1988. The most successful of the 5 U.K. garden festivals.
Being awarded the title of “European City of Culture” 1990. This really kick-started Glasgow’s cultural revival.
Designated “UK City of Architecture and Design” 1999.
Host to the Commonwealth Games 2014.
If you’re looking for a cycle and tourist friendly city, then look no further. It is no surprise that Glasgow has earned the slogans:-
“Glasgow smiles better”.
“People make Glasgow”.
“The friendly games”. (Glasgow plays host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games)
Mother Glasgow
A beautiful song written by Dundee musician Michael Marra and popularised by Hue and Cry who have performed brilliantly it at numerous live gigs for many years. Here it was recorded for a TV programme “One Singer, One Song”, originally broadcast 7 May 1990. The tune’s lyrics tell of St Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, whose remarkable deeds forged Glasgow’s coat of arms.
In more recent times Glasgow was the 2nd city in the Empire due to its engineering and trading prowess and in its heyday accounted for a third of all ships built in the United Kingdom. The term “Clyde built” was synonymous with quality.
Today, heavy engineering has given way to culture, architecture and design, urban regeneration and high tec industries known as the silicon glen.
Things to do and see in Glasgow.
Eating Out
Glasgow has an enviable array of cuisine, from Indian to Italian (two long standing and successful communities) to Thai, Mongolian, Persian, Chinese, Sushi Bars, French and more gastro pubs than you can shake a stick at. It may come as a surprise, but Glasgow has been voted the Curry Capital of U.K. for about 9 years in a row. No surprise to us! In fact, curry has come very close to surpassing haggis as Scotland’s national dish.
Here are just some of our favourites.
Dining in at the Den, Argyle Street. (Indian)
The Finnieston, Argyle Street. (Fish)
The Drygate Brewery, Drygate. (Gastro pub and great real ales)
Out for a drink
West Brewery, all the ales you need.
Drygate Brewery, great of selection of Ales and you can do a tour of the brewery.
The Book Club, Vinniecombe Street. A beautifully converted art deco cinema.
Things to do
Whisky tasting and tours
The Clydeside Distillery, is Glasgow’s new kid on the block, but that is where the inexperience ends. It is owned by a family steeped in whisky tradition and have some of the most knowledgable whisky brains around. Well worth a visit.
The Gengoyne Distillery is approximately 20 miles from Glasgow and they have a great whisky tour and a fantastic selection of whiskies of various ages. Our favourite is the 12 year old.
The Auchentoshan distillery is also close to Glasgow and worth a visit.
The Pot Still pub in Glasgow city centre, has the biggest selection of whiskies we have ever seen and the landlord knows about most of them. Don’t plan an early start the next day.
