Fun things to do in Glasgow

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An out-of-town shopping centre with ice arena, to which they have added a centre (Xscape) with artificial rock wall, indoor ski slope (snow, not dry) shops & restaurants.

Ice arena is great facility. Snow slope looks good too. I had a double espresso and a big muffin, so i was happy...

Its on the River Clyde, and Britain's next generation of destroyers is being built for the Royal Navy just across the river. So, if you want to see the black hole that your tax millions are disappearing into, this is the place for you...

UPDATE

The ice arena now hosts a professional ice hockey team in the UK's top league - Braehead Clan. I'll do a sport tip when I get a minute.

The famous art college.

I was passing yesterday (May 12) and discovered they now do tours. Before, it was never open to the public - at least in theory. As a college, it would be possible to walk in and wander around, but most tourists would feel a little conspicuous surrounded by art students.

I'd visited many years ago when my business hired it for a corporate hospitality event. That was wonderful and - at the time - a rare privilege.

It is one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's masterpieces.

As of today, a tour costs £8.75 per adult. £7 for students & pensioners, or £4 for children.

Timings vary according to student terms, exams & so on. Check before you go, and indeed book as well.

Highly recommended.

This is the masterpiece of Glaswegian art, design and architecture genius Charles Rennie Mackintosh....Glasgow's Gaudi.
It looks amazing from the outside but the good news is that they have guided tours given on the hour by a knowledgable art student. I just walked in at 10 to midday on a weekday and got straight on the next tour...but you can book if its a busier time. There's a small museum there too which you can wait in.

Takes about an hour to tour and pure gold.

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The Southern Necropolis is located in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. It was officially opened in July 1840 with the first burial on 21st July 1840. The cemetery was a private concern until 1952 when GLasgow Corporation took over ownership.

The gatehouse was constructed in 1848 and designed by Charles Wilson (he also designed Glasgow Academy, Great Eastern Hotel and Rutherglen Town Hall amongst others). He is also buried in this cemetery.

Other famous inhabitants include Alexander "Greek" Thomson, Sir Thomas Lipton and Allen Glen.

There is a heritage trail available at http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/Parks_Outdoors/HeritageTrails/SouthernNecropolis/ which gives a history of the cemetery and a map of those interred.

Each January Glasgow is host to an extensive and impressive festival of celtic music, from all over the world. If you visit the city in this month it's well worth getting a programme and going to see some of the acts. Even if celtic and folk music isn't really your think I think you'd find something there that you'd enjoy. On the Friday and Saturday evenings there is a ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance, and loads of fun) held in the Royal Concert Hall, so that's always worth going along to.

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The centerpiece of the garden is the Kibble Palace, a beautiful and huge glasshouse with plants and ferns from Australia and exotic plants, including some carnivorous ones, from around the world. It is one of the largest glass houses in Britain and dates from the Victorian era when it was a private one owned by John Kibble. Kibble had it dismantled, taken by barge and cart up the Clyde where it was reassembled and enlarged at its present site. It has recently been renovated and houses some pretty stunning displays. It is also used for entertainment and social events. During our visit, there was a wedding party taking photos just outside and I think the ceremony must have been in the palace.
The outside gardens and greens are lovely and serve as a public park with lots of local folk, kids, etc. There is also a path leading down to a bridge over the Kelvin River. It is a nice, quiet and wooded sanctuary with a footpath alongside the river for an arboretum walk.

The Gardens are open from 7.00am till dusk daily however the specific facilities within the park are subject to opening times:
Glasshouses: 10.00am – 6.00pm (4.15pm in winter)
Visitor Centre: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Toilets: 10.00am – dusk (this varies through the year)

Admission is free.

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Although Glasgow has the odd bit of very old architecture, the earliest obvious style in the city centre is late Georgian. The bulk of the architecture is Victorian, most often built in red sandstone. There are also examples of Art Deco and of course, Mackintosh. These photos though are of some of Glasgow's Victorian buildings.

While waiting for my departure I stumbled across "Supercut" on Glasgow Central Station. You don't need an appointment, just stick your head in and hear when they have a spot. 15 GPB for a haircut and a quiet place to relax and be spoiled for a while. Not a bad deal ;)