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Tours of Scotland since 1907

Ariel view of the River Kelvin and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Glasgow & The Clyde Valley Guide

Glasgow & The Clyde Valley

With so many amazing attractions and iconic landmarks on offer, knowing what to visit in Glasgow can be overwhelming. Pre-planned Glasgow tours are the best way to experience the city and the surrounding Clyde valley in all its glory.

Whether you’re looking for places to visit in Glasgow in one day or planning an extended holiday to the area, Scotland’s largest city is bursting with things to do.

Recognised by aficionados as one of Europe’s great cultural destinations, Glasgow is famous for its flamboyant style, groundbreaking design and unique architecture.

Beautiful parks and green spaces give the city its nickname, "the dear green place", and the locals are amongst the friendliest you'll meet on your travels. The Glaswegians are always up for a laugh and happy to show you a good time.

Discover Glasgow

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - red sandstone building surrounded by lawns 

Glasgow has built its reputation on its merchant roots and architectural heritage.

You’ll spot the influence of famous architects and designers throughout the city as you walk its charming cobbled streets.

 

Culture in Glasgow

These days, the ‘dear green place’ is a cultural hub — bursting with energy and creative folk. Check out its live music scene, fabulous festivals, stylish shopping, outstanding galleries, beautiful parks and fascinating museums.

Celtic Connections - two female singers and two musicians playing on stage 

Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, Celtic Connections, is the UK's first celebration of Celtic music. Over 2,000 musicians travel from far and wide to grace the city with over two weeks of debates, concerts, exhibitions and workshops. Similarly, Glasgow has been home to the world-acclaimed Scottish Opera since 1962 in the magnificent Theatre Royal.

If the opera isn’t your cup of tea, why not visit Glasgow for an evening of sophistication at the ballet? In 2019, Scottish Ballet celebrated its 50th anniversary as Glasgow’s vibrant culture continues to blossom and attract the best talent from across the globe.

statue of Duke of Wellington with traffic cone on his head outside GOMA

Museums in Glasgow

Glasgow is home to some of Scotland’s finest art galleries, museums and cultural venues. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum houses an extensive public collection as well as visiting exhibitions.  Close by sits the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery where the work of the notable architect and designer, Charles Rennie Macintosh, is showcased.

In the city centre, visit the Gallery of Modern Art and see the iconic statue of the Duke of Wellington, always wearing a parking cone.

Glasgow is home to some of the most elegant Victorian architecture in Britain featuring ornate designs in blond and pink sandstone. Look out for the impressive Mitchell Library, one of the largest in Europe or the elaborate City Chambers (Town Hall) with its intricate mosaics and grand marble staircases.

Shopping in Glasgow

As a retail centre, Glasgow is considered to be second only to London as a shopping destination. Seek out “The Style Mile” which incorporates the stylish Princes Square mall, Ingram Street for designer labels or the Merchant City for independent specialist retailers.

Discover pre-planned Glasgow city tours to experience this magnificent city in all its glory.

Out of the City

There are so many places to visit near Glasgow that aren’t in the thick of it. While Glasgow city centre is bursting with things to do, sometimes it can be refreshing to escape the hustle and bustle and opt for something a little more relaxing.

Here are some of our favourite spots and attractions outside of Glasgow in the Clyde Valley:

interior of Paisley Thread Mill Museum showing looms and yarn

Paisley

Outside the city lies Paisley, a traditional weaving town, famous for the eponymous shawl. In 1850, Paisley was home to over 7,000 weavers who helped to put the town on the map.

A visit to the Paisley museum takes you through the ages as you learn about the history behind Scotland’s weaving industry and how this humble town produced some of the world’s finest woollen garments.

Antonine Wall

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, visitors can also get their cultural fix with a historic visit to the Roman remains of Antonine Wall. Roman Emperor, Antoninus Pius, commissioned the wall in AD 142 as an attempt to outshine the infamous Hadrian’s wall in the north of England. Small sections along the 39-mile stretch between the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde can still be admired to this day.

man sitting on old tractor outside the gates of Summerlee Museum 

Summerlee

Discover Scotland’s noisiest museum with a fascinating trip to the Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life.

Located in the North Lanarkshire town of Coatbridge, Summerlee is an important cultural centre that captures Scotland’s industrial heartland. What was once the site of the Summerlee iron works, is now a modern museum, bursting with interactive activities for all the family.

Choose from a crash course in Summerlee’s rich social history or a fun-filled ride on the mining tour to discover the significance of this small industrial town on Scotland’s turbulent history.

National Museum of Rural Life

interior of farmhouse kitchen showing old objects at Museum of Rural Life 

Experience a taste of countryside living at the beautiful National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride. This unusual take on the traditional museum combines a historical working farm with spectacular landscapes —  creating a unique experience for all.

Travel back in time as you learn about the evolution of Scottish farming throughout the industrial revolution. Visitors can enjoy live displays, interactive activities and even spend some time with their favourite fluffy friends. The friendly and welcoming team at the National Museum of Rural Life make it the perfect place to teach kids about agriculture as they learn about where their food comes from.

mill and millworkers cottages alongside the river at New Lanark

New Lanark Mills World Heritage Site

Discover the fascinating history of the 18th-century mill village on the banks of the River Clyde. New Lanark welcomes visitors from far and wide to explore the recreated millworkers' houses and traditional machinery used in the milling process.

Take a short stroll down to the nearby Falls of Clyde waterfalls for a breath of fresh air before returning for a spot of afternoon tea and browsing the local textile shops.

 

Best Places To Visit In Glasgow

The Tall Ship moored in the river at Riverside Museum

Riverside Museum

At this award-winning transport museum, which overlooks the River Clyde, you can enjoy a walk along a reconstructed 1930’s street, see the collection of cars, trams and buses then visit The Tall Ship.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Inside this impressive red sandstone building discover an eclectic collection of art, arms and armour as well as natural history exhibits.

River Clyde

Take a walk along the banks of this famous river to learn its ship-building heritage. The famous liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were amongst the many ships built here.  

 Glasgow Cathedral with steeple and lovely mature green patina on the roofs on a bright day

Cathedral Quarter

Visit the birthplace of Glasgow to see the city’s oldest building and St Mungo’s Cathedral, one of the best-preserved medieval churches in Scotland.

Tenement House

Discover how life was lived in a traditional Glasgow tenement flat during the early part of the 20th Century.

New Lanark

A carefully restored cotton-mill village constructed as a social experiment in 1785 and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Pollok House - elegant grey sandstone building with maze garden in foreground

Pollok House

An impressive Georgian mansion located in the heart of the Pollok Country Park. 

Hunterian Art Gallery

Discover the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the Glasgow born architect who led the Art Nouveau movement in Scotland. Examples of his innovative style can be viewed throughout the City.  

Download the official guide

 Glasgow and the Clyde Valley