Edinburgh may be the capital, but Glasgow is Scotland’s biggest city, its cultural heart, and a must see for anyone visiting the country.
World renowned for its historical importance in shipbuilding, Glasgow is nestled on the shores of the River Clyde and has evolved from one of the most powerful industrial powerhouses in the Western world to an innovative and creative hub for learning, business, and entertainment.
As a local business proud to call Glasgow our home, we love to show off our city here at Soapbox Digital Media, and have put together a guide to some of our favourite spots!
Home to countless iconic landmarks, green spaces, and heritage sites, Glasgow is both the past and future of Scotland, boasting a vibrant entertainment scene, several top universities, and multiple huge sporting venues.
With so much to see and to do, it can be difficult to know where to start when visiting Glasgow for the first time. Fear not! This is your ultimate guide to the history of Glasgow and the must not miss things to see and do on your next visit.
Historical Landmarks in Glasgow. What is Glasgow Famous for?
Reported founded by Christian missionary Saint Mungo in the 6th Century, it is no surprise that Glasgow is home to its fair share of historical landmarks.
Some of the most famous landmarks in Glasgow include:
Glasgow Cathedral
Dating back to the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral is widely considered as Glasgow’s oldest building. It is also the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland.
Dedicated to St. Mungo, Glasgow’s patron saint, Glasgow Cathedral is a must for anyone with an interest in the history of Scotland, or who simply wants to see one of the nation’s most impressive architectural marvels.
If Cathedrals are your thing, the St Andrew’s Cathedral completed in 1816 is another great option, with its neo-Gothic design, famously beautiful interior and active worship services.
Necropolis
Not far to travel for this one. The Glasgow Necropolis is located just to the east of Glasgow Cathedral and is the final resting place of an estimated 50,000 people.
A Victorian cemetery built in the style of the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, the necropolis was one of the first cemeteries to be built in the UK and spans over 37-acres in size.
Today, around 3,500 monuments stand in the necropolis, clustered around a statue of John Knox which pre-dates its creation having been built in 1825. With impressive sculptures, statues, and numerous notable individuals buried at the Necropolis, a self-tour around the site is a great way to learn more about Glasgow’s past.
The Provand’s Lordship
From the oldest building in Glasgow to the oldest domestic house still standing, the Provand’s Lordship dates all the way back to 1471 and has been painstakingly restored to replicate its period appearance from all those years ago.
The informative displays located in and around the property provide a fascinating insight into life in Glasgow during medieval times.
Museums and Galleries
Glasgow is a culture vulture’s paradise, with a huge selection of both modern and historical museums and galleries to choose from. Some of our favourites include:
Kelvingrove Art Gallery
A favourite amongst locals and visitors alike, Kelvingrove art gallery and museum houses a diverse collection of art and artifacts, from ancient Egyptian relics to Sir Roger the Elephant, a former member of the Bostock & Wombwell’s Menagerie who toured Scotland in the 19th century.
The Burrell Collection
Found in Pollok Country Park (more on this later!), the Burrell Collection rivals Kelvingrove for its diversity with medieval artifacts, Islamic art and an immersive collection of over 9,000 works of art reflecting the tastes and passions of Sir William Burrell.
Hunterian Museum
Connected to the University of Glasgow, the Hunterian museum happens to be the oldest public museum in Scotland and is a paradise for those interested in scientific instruments.
Home to works by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, James McNeill Whistler and others, the Hunterian Museum is a worthy representation of Glasgow’s proud history in the world of science and archaeology.
Riverside Museum
Formerly known as the Glasgow Museum of Transport, the Riverside Museum is located in the West of Glasgow on the north shore of the River Clyde.
Despite its renaming, the Zaha Hadid designed museum still houses a remarkable collection of vintage vehicles including trams, cars, locomotives, and even ships. It is also the base for the Tall Ship Glenlee which is a jewel of maritime history and a great day out for families and history buffs alike.
Parks and Green Spaces
Glasgow may be a modern urban metropolis, but it isn’t short of parks and green spaces either. Take a break from your inner-city tour and enjoy the nature on offer in the following places.
Glasgow Botanic Gardens
A wonderful place to relax and a fascinating place to learn about the vast array of exotic plant species on display. An oasis in the Glasgow West End, the Botanical Gardens were established in 1817 and have been attracting nature lovers ever since.
Highlights of the Glasgow botanic gardens (outside of the plants themselves!) include Kibble Palace, a stunning Victorian glasshouse, and a serene walk by the river.
Pollok Country Park
Home to the Burrell Collection and the historic Pollock House, Pollok country park is Glasgow’s largest park and is located between the areas of Shawlands, Crossmyloof, and Pollok.
Pollock Country Park was named as Europe’s best park in 2008 and contains a selection of picturesque gardens, river paths, woodlands and more. It is also in the only country park in Glasgow City Centre and a true taste of the Scottish Countryside in the heart of its largest city.
Just a few miles from the Soapbox Digital Media office in Shawlands, this one is a particular favourite for our web and graphic designers on their ventures into the offline world!
Glasgow Green
Green by name and green by nature, Glasgow Green is the oldest park in Glasgow and the base for many a major event over the years from live music to political rallies and sporting celebrations.
Down the road from George Square in the East End, Glasgow Green is the features a number of other places that Glasgow is famous for, including the People’s palace, Doulton fountain and the social history museum.
Queen’s Park
With a boating pond, greenhouse filled with exotic plants and loads of green space perfect for some exercise, or an impromptu picnic, this Southside park provides fantastic panoramic views of the City of Glasgow and is one of Scotland’s most famous parks.
Sporting Venues in Glasgow City Centre
Glasgow is the home of Scotland’s two biggest football clubs, the host venue of the first ever international football match, and numerous state-of-the-art facilities purpose built for the 2014 commonwealth games.
Football Stadia
Football is Scotland’s national sport and has been an integral part of Glasgow’s identity for well over a century.
The Old Firm rivalry between Celtic and Rangers, the country’s two largest football clubs, is one of the biggest and fiercest derbies in the world and a visit to either Ibrox or Celtic Park is a must for any football fan.
Across the River Clyde down in Glasgow Southside, Hampden Park is Scotland’s National Football stadium and the home ground of the Scottish National Football Team. As well as hosting international matches, domestic cup finals and other sporting events, Hampden has also been used as a concert venue for numerous global music stars over the years.
West of Scotland Cricket Club
It might not be as prominent as some of the other sporting venues in Greater Glasgow, but West of Scotland Cricket Club’s Hamilton Crescent has a very special place in the history of sport across the globe.
Located in Partick in Glasgow’s West End, Hamilton Crescent was the venue for the first ever International football match (yes football!) between Scotland and England all the way back in 1872. One of the most interesting facts about Glasgow’s sporting past, the occasion, dulled only slightly by the 0-0 score line!
Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
Names after one of Scotland’s most famous sporting sons, the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome was purpose built for the 2014 commonwealth games and is the only indoor velodrome in the country.
With space for 2000 spectators, this elite venue is open to the public and has hosted both cycling and badminton events over the years.
Live Music and Entertainment – UNESCO City of Music
Glasgow has been named as an official UNESCO city of Music since 2008, and has long since is a favourite stop for superstar performers from across the globe.
In 2024 alone, superstars such as The 1975, Take That, Olivia Rodrigo, and Nickelback have all graced the stage of the OVO Hydro whilst TRNSMT, the city’s biggest music festival will be headlined by acts such as Liam Gallagher, Gerry Cinnamon, and Calvin Harris.
If up and coming talent is more your style, King Tuts Wah Wah Hut is the place to be, with near nightly live music, comedy and performing arts. King Tuts has a proud track record of showcasing future stars, with Oasis, Radiohead, and Coldplay just some of the those to have played the venue in the early stages of their careers.
For the more cultured among you, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is the place to be, ranking in the top 10 performing arts schools in the world and hosting an array of incredible dance and drama demonstrations and displays.
Universities and Colleges
Glasgow is an incredible place to live and learn with numerous world leading educational institutions dotted across the city.
These include:
- University of Glasgow
- University of Strathclyde
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- The world-renowned Glasgow School of Art
- City of Glasgow College
- Glasgow Clyde College
- Glasgow Kelvin College
Other things to do in Glasgow
Trying to summarise the best things to do in Glasgow into one article is no easy task. After all, this is one of the UK’s most highly populated urban areas, Scotland’s largest city!
From Victorian architecture to botanical gardens, take in just half of the Glasgow landmarks we’ve mentioned above and you are in for an incredible trip. We tried our best to include as many of our favourite spots around the city as possible but here are some of the other highlights that are more than worth a visit!
- Glasgow City Chambers – The headquarters of Glasgow City Council this is one of the city’s most beautiful buildings and famously contains more marble than the Vatican!
- Glasgow Central Station – Depending on how you get to Glasgow, you might already have seen this one!
- Glasgow Women’s Library – The only accredited UK museum dedicated to the lives and achievements of women.
- Mitchell Library – One of Europe’s largest stores of knowledge with over a million texts stored here.
- Barrowland Ballroom – Another of Glasgow’s famed music venues having hosted live music events for nearly 50 years.
- Glasgow Cross – Located on High Street, this was once the centre of the city and is marked by the striking Mercat cross. The cross remains a notable landmark, and is found not far from Glasgow Cathedral, Saltmarket, Gallowgate, Trongate.
Glasgow is also the home to a thriving business sector, with multiple active shipyards still dotted along the Clyde, and film studios for BBC Scotland and STV based just South of the river. There is also a thriving and ever growing creative hub in Glasgow Southside, with many web design and graphic design companies such as Soapbox Digital Media located in the Shawlands area!
Soapbox Digital Media – Glasgow Born and Bred
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the list of things to do in Glasgow almost endless.
From the Glasgow science centre to the gallery of modern art to King Tuts Wah Wah Hut and everything in between, there truly is something for everyone and no visit to Scotland is complete without a visit.
We love operating within Glasgow and with a Glasgow web design and Glasgow printing studio located on Eglinton Street in Shawlands, right in the heart of Glasgow’s creative Southside, we are proud to have helped so many of Glasgow’s most exciting businesses through the power of great design and couldn’t imagine living and working anywhere else!
