Welcome to Glasgow

Disarmingly blending sophistication and earthiness, Scotland's biggest city has evolved over the last couple of decades to become one of Britain's most intriguing metropolises.

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Architecture

Glasgow's principal architectural legacy is its impressive assemblage of stately Victorian mansions and public buildings, the product of wealth generated from manufacturing and trade. It gives the centre a solid, slightly staid dignity that is actually rather misleading. More svelte are the sublime designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, which dot the city; visiting a few of his buildings and interiors soon reveals his genius. The city – always proud of its working-class background – also innovatively displays its industrial heritage, while modern structures, many along the Clyde River, have quickly become local icons.

Museums and Galleries

Collecting was big in Victorian times, so it's no surprise that Glasgow's architectural legacy from the period is complemented by some wonderful museums and galleries. Kelvingrove combines natural history and diverse objects from around the world with a first-rate art collection, while nearby Kelvin Hall will hold, from 2020, the University of Glasgow's eclectic Hunterian museum exhibits, paintings and sumptuous Mackintosh interior. On the Clyde, the Riverside holds an excellent ensemble of historic vehicles; to the south, the Burrell Collection (due to reopen in 2020) is an extraordinary corpus of archaeological treasures, objets d'art from around the world and fine paintings.

Nightlife

Glaswegians definitely work to live, and the city comes into its own after five – not that people don't pop down for a cheeky lunchtime pint, too. The city's pubs are gloriously friendly places and you're sure to have some entertaining blethers (chats) with locals when you pop into one. Glasgow's live music scene is also legendary; big bands play at iconic venues, but a number of lower-key pubs have regular gigs that are excellent too. Clubbing is also popular, with a couple of famous dance floors, and the LGBT-focused Pink Triangle is a notably friendly scene.

Shopping

Glasgow is where Scotland shops; the city packs out at weekends when highlanders, islanders, Edinburghers and more come in to cruise the malls. The downtown area has several major shopping centres and arcades fully stocked with global brands as well as more local offerings. On the fringes of this area and in the West End are the bohemian beats: record stores, vintage clothing markets and second-hand booksellers. In the East End, the weekend Barras market is quite an experience, blending modern concepts with cheap designer ripoffs, faded bric-a-brac and a dose of authentic working-class Glasgow.

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Top experiences in Glasgow

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Glasgow activities

$57.88 Day Trips & Excursions

Scottish Highlands, Glencoe, and Loch Ness Tour from Glasgow

With a maximum group size of 16 passengers, you are sure to have a memorable and personal experience on this special day trip to the Scottish Highlands. Traveling in a small group means you can reach out-of-the-way places to discover the real Scotland!Head north towards the Highlands along the "bonnie, bonnie" banks of Loch Lomond - Scotland's largest Loch. Continue into the Highlands to reach the most dramatic of all Highland glens, Glencoe. This area is steeped in history, and you will hear the truth about the infamous 1692 massacre of Clan MacDonald.Journeying through Fort William, site of the military post built during the Jacobite Rebellions in the 18th century, you'll continue up the Great Glen, between Fort William and Inverness.After lunch at Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness, you have the option of taking an hour-long cruise on the loch (not included). Head back through Inverness, the Cairngorms National Park, and the countryside, where the TV series Monarch of the Glen was filmed. Continuing over the Drummochter Summit, where herds of red deer often graze, you'll visit the Victorian town of Pitlochry.Continue through Perthshire and past Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, commemorating Scotland's great hero William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson in the Oscar-winning movie Braveheart. Then just a short drive back to Glasgow.The Scottish Highlands and Islands are Europe's last great wilderness! This personalized tour is as close as you can get to touring in your own car, with the added benefit of gaining intimate knowledge of Scotland. Traveling in a small group means you can take lots of stops and reach "out of the way" places, giving you more time off the bus to discover the real Scotland.
$19.73 Tours & Sightseeing

Glasgow Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour

On this City Sightseeing tour, you can hop-on and off as many times as you like aboard our iconic open-top double-decker buses! Glasgow is one of the most exciting Scottish cities, boasting excellent museums and art galleries as well as impressive architectures and parks! Glasgow also has great shopping districts to offer and of a night-time, a very vibrant and buzzing nightlife! Hop-on to City Sightseeing Glasgow and we’ll take you to the city’s most noteworthy attractions and landmarks. The first tour stop is in George Square, named after King George III in the 19th century. One of the city’s most recognised monuments, the square’s central column, is located here as well as City Chambers. The tour will continue over to Glasgow Cathedral, famous for being the only Cathedral to survive the city’s reformation in 1560. Other interesting attractions include the Riverside Museum which explores the city’s history and the Theatre Royal, which is the oldest theatre in Scotland! For a more leisurely day out in Glasgow, hop-off at the vibrant St Vincent Place, where many shops, eateries and bars can be found! If you’re visiting Glasgow on a weekend, visit the Barras Market, a wonderful place to find traditional Scottish gifts, food and drinks! The full list of tour stops along the route is:Stop 1 - George Square (City Chambers, Gallery of Modern Art, Tourist Information Center, Queen Street Stations, Trades Hall) Stop 2 - Glasgow Cathedral (St Mungo Museum, Provands Lordship, Tennent's Brewery) Stop 3 - Merchant City (Merchants' Square Ramshorn Theatre) Stop 4 - The Barras Weekend MarketStop 5 - Glasgow Green (People's Palace, West Brewery) Stop 6 - St Enoch Shopping Centre Stop 7 - St Vincent Place (The Lighthouse, Princes Square Buchanan Galleries) Stop 8 - SAS Radisson Hotel/Central StationStop 9 - Hotels (Marriott, Menzies and Hilton) Stop 10 - Hilton Garden Inn/Radisson Red hotels, Squinty BridgeStop 11 - SEC Complex/SEC Hydro/Glasgow Science CentreStop 11a- The Clydeside DistilleryStop 12 - Riverside Museum and The Tall Ship Stop 13 - Kelvin Way/KelvingroveStop 14 - Glasgow University Stop 15- Byres Road (Botanical Gardens) Stop 16 - Kelvingrove Art Gallery and MuseumStop 17 - Kelvin Park (Kelvingrove Park, Kelvin Park Lorne Hotel, Youth Hostel) Stop 18 - Charing Cross (Royal Highlands Fusiliers Museum, Mitchell Library, Tenement House) Stop 19 - Glasgow School of Art/Tearooms Stop 20 - Theatres (Piping Center, Theatre Royal, Pavilion Theatre, Royal Conservatoire)Stop 21 - Royal Concert Hall (Buchanan Galleries Shopping Centre, Buchanan Bus Station, Cineworld Cinema)
$47.36 Day Trips & Excursions

Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Whisky Trail Tour from Glasgow

Stirling Castle was Scotland's most important medieval stronghold and is set high on a volcanic outcrop. There has been fortification on the rock since 1000 BC, as it guards the main route north into the Scottish Highlands. You have the option of visiting the castle to see some of the finest Renaissance architecture in Scotland.Leaving Stirling, you'll travel past Doune Castle, Callander and into the Trossachs, an area popularized by authors such as Sir Walter Scott and Daniel Defoe. This is also the territory of Rob Roy MacGregor, Scotland's Robin Hood. The tour stops for a leisurely lunch (own expense) outside the village of Aberfoyle.After lunch, continue to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest loch where you can enjoy a walk before heading to the picturesque Distillery of Glengoyne. You can choose to take an optional tour of the distillery (additional cost) or visit the shop.The Scottish Highlands and Islands are Europe's last great wilderness! This personalized tour is as close as you can get to touring in your own car, with the added benefit of gaining intimate knowledge of Scotland. Traveling in a small group means you can take lots of stops and reach "out of the way" places, giving you more time off the bus to discover the real Scotland.Winner of the Inaugural Scottish Thistle Award for Sustainable Tourism, October 2007
$51.31 Day Trips & Excursions

West Highland Lochs, Glencoe, Castles Small-Group from Glasgow

Departing from Glasgow you travel northwest along the shores of Loch Lomond. Here you will cross the Highland boundary fault line where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically - the flat fertile plains of the Lowlands giving way to shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens. It's easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the MacGregors, made famous by highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. You will then take a leisurely drive over the at 'Rest and Be Thankful' mountain pass. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe (not to be confused with Glencoe which you will visit later in the day).From here you will travel through the steep-sided mountains, known as the Arrochar Alps, to the picturesque harbour town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne, famous for the18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the castle and is a classic 18th century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses, designed by Robert Adam, famous for his architecture in Edinburgh’s New Town.You will then continue to the harbour town of Oban, gateway to the Isles, for lunch of your choice. After lunch you will then travel north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe. Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Travelling south as you pass the majestic peak of Buachaille Etive Mor (meaning 'the great shepherd of Etive') you descend towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over 1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's a unique landscape. From here you will then travel through Glen Falloch, and then drive south towards Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore.The last stop of the day will be in Luss, an 18th century conservation village with old workers cottages, built for the labourers of the Estate. From here you return to Glasgow.
$319.68 Multi-day & Extended Tours

Scottish Highlands 3-Day Small-Group Tour from Glasgow

This three-day trip from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands will show you Scotland’s most beautiful scenery. Tour highlights include Glencoe, the Lochaber region around Fort William, Eilean Donan Castle (set of the movie Highlander) and over the sea to the Isle of Skye, where you'll stay in the picturesque harbor town of Portree.You'll spend the entire second day on Skye, exploring the wild north of the island, the Old Man of Storr, the mountain pass of the Quiraing and Skye's most westerly point at Neist.On the third day, you'll return to the mainland and travel through the Five Sisters of Kintail. You’ll visit eerie Loch Ness (boat trips are available April to October), where you can try to spot the Loch Ness Monster, before making your way to the central Highlands and Glasgow.With a maximum group size of 16 passengers, this special trip allows you to have memorable and personal experience. You'll travel in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan and receive individual attention from your expert driver/guide. Traveling in a small group means you can reach out-of-the-way places to discover the real Scotland!See Itinerary section below for details on each day’s activities.
$68.41 Shore Excursions

Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, Stirling Castle with Port Pickup

Disembark your ship at Greenock port, then board a comfortable coach with your expert guide and set off on your full-day shore excursion. As you travel, sit back and gaze out at the beautiful Scottish countryside, taking in views of rolling hills, expansive waterways and verdant forest.Make your first stop at Stirling Castle, arguably Scotland's most important medieval stronghold, set high on a volcanic outcrop in the former capital of Stirling. Here, enjoy around 1.5 hours of free time to explore the castle independently, if you wish. Pay your entrance fee, and then head inside to see some of the impressive public rooms, including the opulent Great Hall and James V’s Palace. Alternatively, relax in the cafe with a hot drink and a quintessentially Scottish snack (own expense).Next, make for the breathtaking Doune Castle. Get your camera ready as you approach the fortress, then hop off the coach and spend a few minutes snapping postcard-perfect photos before continuing on to Kilmahog.On arrival in Kilmahog, get up close to some Highland cattle, one of Britain’s oldest and most distinctive breeds. Watch as their long, thick coats move majestically in the wind and take photos of them grazing against jaw-dropping country backdrops.Then, head for Aberfoyle, a charming village tucked away in the heart of Trossachs National Park. Stretch your legs as you stroll along the quaint village streets, and enjoy free time for lunch in a local restaurant (own expense).With your appetite sated, continue by coach to Loch Lomond. Perhaps wander to the viewpoint overlooking the loch, or savor a whisky in a nearby hotel as you take in the views.When the time comes, join back up with your guide and relax on the return journey to Greenock port.Worry-free Shore Excursion:We will ensure your timely return to the Greenock port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
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