Welcome to Glasgow, Scotland Getting around Glasgow Things to Do Art & design Incredible architecture UNESCO City of Music Tours Distillery Tours Football Stadium Tours Places to Eat Glasgow Neighbourhoods Wider Scotland
Welcome to Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow is a vibrant and compact city with plenty to offer delegates beyond conference sessions. Glasgow is one of Europe’s most dynamic cultural capitals: rich in history, steeped in culture, and buzzing with excitement. You can feel its vibrant energy as you stroll through the elegant Victorian streets, squares, parks, and gardens. “Glasgow” in Gaelic is “Glaschu” which means “Dear Green Place” and with dozens of parks and gardens in the city, it’s easy to see why.
If you’re extending your stay, Glasgow has excellent travel connections for exploring Scotland and an exciting selection of year-round tours leaving daily for the Scottish Highlands.
Delegates can look forward to a warm welcome in a city voted ‘world’s friendliest city’ by Rough Guides.
Plan your trip at: visitglasgow.com
Getting around Glasgow
Glasgow is a very walkable city, especially the city centre. You can easily explore it on foot whilst taking in the beautiful buildings and architecture around you. Don’t forget to 'look up' when you're in the city.
Find out more here
Things to Do
Hopefully delegates will have some time to see the city of Glasgow. There is a lot on offer; its architecture, shopping, museums, live music, restaurants, and more, provide something for everyone.
Art & design
Glasgow boasts one of Europe’s largest civic art collections, featuring works by Dali, Van Gogh, Degas, and Monet. Highlights include the eclectic Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, the vibrant contemporary art at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), and the award winning Riverside Museum. Many museums and art galleries offer free entry.
Delegates can explore the works of artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh, walk the city centre Art Mural Trail, or enjoy the numerous parks and green spaces, making Glasgow a true city of art and culture experience.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - Glasgow Life
Gallery of Modern Art - Glasgow Life
Riverside Museum - Glasgow Life
Home | Glasgow Science Centre | Glasgow UK
Incredible architecture
From the medieval Glasgow Cathedral to the NeoGothic University of Glasgow – rumoured to be the inspiration for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts - to the Art Nouveau wonders of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s wealthy past has left a legacy of the finest Victorian architecture in the UK.
UNESCO City of Music
Glasgow is a UNESCO City of Music with legendary music scene that stretches across the whole spectrum from contemporary and classical, to Celtic and Country. There are over 150 live music events per week and numerous festivals throughout the year there truly is something for everyone, you can even learn to play the bagpipe lesson at the National Piping Centre!
Click here for more ideas and here for the latest what’s on events - What's On in Glasgow - Events & Festivals
Tours
Red Bus Bistro | Glasgow & Edinburgh Bus Tours
Savour the best of Glasgow on board the iconic Red Bus.
Discover the city aboard the vintage red bus with a delicious serving of afternoon tea and ‘bite size’ storytelling.
The Afternoon Tea bus tour is unlike other city tours, it’s more of an experience. The focus is relaxed dining onboard the iconic Routemaster bus, creating your own wonderful memories. Savour delicious homemade treats with a serving of tea, fizz or gin as the bus gently jaunts along the pretty streets past famous landmarks.
Glasgow Brewery Tours & Beer Tastings - Tennent's
How often do you get the chance to be face-to-face with a genuine Scottish icon?
Tennent’s Wellpark Brewery is a Glaswegian staple, brewing fantastic beers here since the 1500s, so heritage and telling their story is very important to the Tennent’s Brewery.
See for yourself where the magic happens on the Tennent’s Tour and get a sense of what makes their beer so unique.
Glasgow Central Tours - Connects History of Glasgow Central Station, Historical events
On the Glasgow Central Tour you will be given an exclusive, behind the scenes look at Glasgow Central Station. You will walk in subterranean passageways beneath Glasgow’s streets, visit railway vaults that drove Glasgow’s industrial expansion, hear tales of the famous and infamous who have travelled the tracks and stood on the platforms of Glasgow Central Station.
Waverley Excursions – The World's last Seagoing paddle steamer
Step aboard the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer, the magnificent Waverley, for an extraordinary trip the whole family will enjoy.
Choose from a variety of day, afternoon, and evening cruises and enjoy the ever-changing coastal landscape of Great Britain with sailings from over 60 ports and piers. Whether you are exploring Glasgow & Clyde Coast, Oban & Inner Hebrides, the Bristol Channel, Liverpool & Llandudno, South West, South Coast & Isle of Wight, or London & Thames Estuary, Waverley promises an unforgettable experience.
Bike Tours in Glasgow | Explore the city sights by bicycle
The perfect day out in Glasgow for anyone… not just die-hard cyclists
Glasgow Bike Tours has put a lot of work into creating a tour that works for locals and visitors alike – and one that certainly isn’t only geared towards incredibly fit cycling aficionados. Hills are avoided and the tours are designed to be great days out, as entertaining and enriching as any walking tour or bus tour.
Glasgow Open Top Red Bus Tours | City Sightseeing©
This is the ticket to get if you want the complete Glasgow experience. With access to our two Glasgow routes, you won’t miss a thing. Our Red Tour explores the centre and the West End of the city, while the Yellow Tour takes you further out to visit the East End and the Govan Area. Book today with City Sightseeing.
Friends of Glasgow Necropolis
Join an organised guided walking tour of this 37 acre cemetery full of wonderful architecture, sculpture and fascinating stories relating to the 50,000 people remembered here. As a charity, donations received from these tours are used for restoration work.
Walking Tours in Glasgow, Scotland | City Tours
Join passionate, local guides for daily walking tours, available all year round. Whether you’re up for a City Centre stroll, exploring Street Art, or a fun Whisky Walk, there are tours at 10:30am, 2pm, and 5pm every day, all year.
Mural Trail : Home Page
The street murals are helping to rejuvenate streets and revitalise buildings and vacant sites that look a bit tired, reincarnating them as beautiful pieces of public street art. The first art work was produced in 2008 and this portfolio of completed works has expanded since.
The murals are also having a major impact on the city centre by creating splashes of colour which brighten up lanes and streets. This helps make them more inviting for locals and tourists alike to visit and supports local businesses.
Now Glasgow has created a Mural Trail featuring the diverse range of art within easy walking distance of the city centre. The huge range of artwork on display has something to suit all tastes - conservative to radical, quirky to bizarre.
Distillery Tours
The Clydeside Distillery | Unforgettable Whisky Experiences
Eden Mill St Andrews | Scottish Craft Gin & Whisky Distillery – Eden Mill UK
Welcome to The Glasgow Distillery
Welcome to Glengoyne Single Malt, from the Slowest Stills in Scotland.
Football Stadium Tours
Hampden Park - Scotland's National Stadium
Rangers Museum and Ibrox Tours | Rangers Football Club
Places to Eat
“Best and most eclectic dining in Europe” - lonely planet
With over 2000 restaurants and cafés to choose from, delegates won’t be short of places to eat out. Why not join the locals for a ‘wee dram’ in one of our 700 bars and cosy pubs. The diverse food and drink scene spans from traditional whisky pubs to fine dining. Delegates can expect a warm welcome in the ‘world’s friendliest city.’
The food and drink scene in Glasgow is booming. The city's creative and award-winning food scene caters to all tastes and budgets; get ready to explore some of the city's best bars and restaurants. Visit Glasgow. Arrive hungry.
Click here for a guide to what’s on offer and here for more inspiration - BEST Restaurants in Glasgow
Glasgow Neighbourhoods
The West End
Voted ‘Best Neighbourhood in UK & Ireland’ by the Academy of Urbanism, Glasgow’s West End is known for its artistic and walkable nature. With exquisite sandstone villas, leafy avenues, and fine Victorian architecture, it’s perfect for experiencing Glasgow’s cafe culture and museum district.
Home to the University of Glasgow, it also boasts bohemian bars, restaurants, and antique shops. Byres Road offers quirky shops, while cobbled Ashton Lane is an Aladdin’s Cave of pubs, bistros, and a cinema. Nearby, the Botanical Gardens provide a relaxing retreat after a busy conference day
City Centre
Glasgow’s city centre is brimming with cultural attractions, world-class architecture, fantastic shopping, and a year-round program of exciting events and festivals in music, film, theatre, art, and sport.
Consistently voted one of the top shopping destinations in the UK, it offers a mix of cool vintage shops, popular brand names, and exclusive designers, providing endless places of interest for delegates to explore.
Finnieston
Recently voted the “hippest place to live in the UK” by The Times, Finnieston is a short walk from the Scottish Event Campus and buzzes with bars, restaurants, independent shops, and art galleries for delegates to enjoy.
Whisky connoisseurs will be spoilt for choice with traditional bars offering a wide selection of malts, craft beers, and spontaneous live Scottish music performances. Finnieston is also home to the city’s very own Clydeside Distillery, which offers a distinctive single malt scotch whisky distillery and visitor experience.
Merchant City
The Merchant City is one of the oldest quarters of Glasgow. Developed from the 1750s, residences and warehouses of the wealthy merchants were built in the area, leaving a legacy of amazing architecture. Now one of the most vibrant areas in Glasgow, delegates will enjoy shopping, dining, entertainment and fun in a beautiful, historic setting.
Wider Scotland
Discover Scotland
Attending a conference in Glasgow presents an excellent opportunity for delegates to discover the magic of Scotland, where history, culture, and natural beauty blend seamlessly.
Explore ancient castles, vibrant cities, and breathtaking landscapes from the Highlands to the serene lochs.
Stunning natural landscapes
From the breathtaking Highlands and serene lochs to the rugged coastlines and picturesque islands, Scotland’s natural beauty is unparalleled. Destinations like the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and the Cairngorms National Park offer spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures.
Rich history
Scotland is steeped in history, with ancient castles, historic battlefields, and world-class museums that offer a glimpse into its storied past.
Cities like Edinburgh and Stirling provide a deep dive into the nation’s heritage with landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile
Outdoor activities
For the adventurous, Scotland offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, golfing, fishing, and water sports. Iconic routes like the West Highland Way or golfing at St. Andrews provides memorable experiences for active travellers.
Golf, whisky, lochs and mountains . . .
- Known as the ‘home of golf’, with over 550 golf courses.
- Home to over 150 malt and grain distilleries, Scotland has the greatest concentration of whisky production in the world.
- Over 280 Munros to climb in Scotland (mountains over 914m) with the highest point in Scotland, Ben Nevis, standing at 1,345 meters (4,411 feet) tall.
- Scotland boasts more castles per square mile than any other country, with over 250 castles to explore. Edinburgh and Stirling castles are just a 45-minute journey by public transport from Glasgow.
- With more than 6,000 lochs (lakes), Scotland is home to the UK’s largest freshwater lake, Loch Lomond (only 30 minute by train from Glasgow)
For tour ideas see here - Scotland Tours from Glasgow - Rabbie's Tours