Shopping In and Around Glasgow

If the weather is good when you get to Glasgow you may want to remain outside and make the most of the great outdoors. Glasgow won t disappoint with a wide and varied array of things to do both inside and out, so there s no need to despair if the rain clouds come calling.

Glasgow is well known for its great shopping and seems to become more stylish as each day passes. The main shopping streets, Buchanan Street and Argyll Street, provide all the offerings you would expect from a major city whereas the Barras Market, held in Glasgow s East End, is a great place for a wander and with almost a thousand stalls you can find anything and everything from antiques to CDs.

The Botanic Gardens are ideal if you want to escape the crowds and noise of the city. The lush grounds and wooded gardens follow the bank of the River Kelvin so it makes for a pretty place to take a stroll, a brief period of relaxation or to simply explore the various types of tropical species on display.

In recent times Glasgow has undergone a spell of transformation and rejuvenation that is most evident along the banks of the River Clyde. There is an abundance of revitalised riverfront walkways where you can discover the city s maritime heritage and enjoy a different view of the city.

Indoors there is plenty to keep you occupied too. The West End is home to several cultural sights - of particular noteworthiness is Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which is housed in an imposing red sandstone building. Entry is generally free, so you could have an inexpensive yet highly informative day, whether you fancy seeing some of the old masters or the latest in contemporary art.

If modern art is your passion then a trip to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) is a must. The gallery runs a programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops; therefore, if you re seeking a thought provoking activity this could well be the answer.

The Museum of Transport and People s Palace have more traditional themes but are interesting nonetheless. The Museum of Transport has a range of exhibits including a reproduction of a 1938 Glasgow street scene where the People's Palace is an impressive museum of social history, telling the story of the city from 1750 to the present.

Right across the street from the transport museum you can find the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery which houses a collection of the pioneering physician and medical teacher William Hunter's belongings. An eclectic range of items are on display, from dinosaur eggs to coin collections and even some of Captain Cook's bits and pieces from his voyages to the South Seas.

With so much shopping and attractions to experience, it can prove wise to plan your trip ahead. As such, it is good to know that flights to Glasgow land at either Glasgow or Prestwick Airport, both of which lie in close proximity to the city centre, whilst good transport links make the trip into town a quick and easy one. All that is left to do then is ditch your luggage and start exploring right away.