Description

Discover the largest city in Scotland on a full day tour of Glasgow. A city that began as a humble religious centre by its patron Saint Mungo. His life inspired Glasgow's motto 'The Bird that never Flew, the Tree that never Grew, the Fish that never swam, the Bell that never Rang'.

When America was discover this open the doors for Glasgow's merchants who became some of the first millionaires in the world. The industrial revolution saw the city's population grow by more than 10 times in a very short time period. In the twentieth century becoming the business Mecca we all know today.

This is a private guided tour that can be customised to your request. We can pick you up from your hotel in city centre Glasgow or Greenock cruise port. The actual route will all depend on where in the city you are based. Walking tours are also possible, enquire for details.

Typically the tour would began at George Square, the city's civic centre. In the square there are various statues of Scottish military and folk heroes, including our Scottish Baird, Robert Burns. On a pillar in the very middle of the square Sir Walter Scott, famous 18th century novelist, stands tall. Most of the buildings where built during the time of Queen Victoria, whose statue is also in the square. The City Chambers towers over the square; built in 1888 took 6 years to build with over 1 million bricks with 2 impressive marble staircases. It actually has the 2nd most marble of any building in the world, the Vatican is first!

We then drive along Ingram street which is part of Glasgow's Merchant City. The old bonded warehouses in recent years have been turned into sheik fashion retailers and bars. Close by is Buchanan street which is the main shopping district. Glasgow Cross was the centre for the merchants where the Tollcross still stands with spikes sticking out the walls where heads of the executed were placed.

We can then first explore the east of Glasgow. A tour would not be complete without a visit to the ancient Glasgow Cathedral. It is the oldest still intact church on mainland Scotland. The surroundings was once the medieval town centre with a castle and defensive wall. Glasgow is also no stranger to the Braveheart legend as William Wallace seiged the castle and cathedral to put it back in Scottish hands. The only buildings that still stand from this time are the cathedral and Provand's Lordship, the oldest town house in Glasgow. All this has the eary backdrop of the Necropolis (city of the dead), an 18th cemetery encompassing some very interesting tombs and statues.

Onto the waterfront of the Clyde River. This area was once held some of the most important shipbuilding yards in the world, coining the phrase 'Glasgow made the Clyde and the Clyde made Glasgow'. The shipyards are no longer with us and in recent years have become home to some of the more modern buildings; the SECC and Armadilo, Glasgow Arc Bridge, Glasgow Tower, Science Mall, and most recently the new Glasgow Arena built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, knicknamed the 'Jelly Fish'. Glaswegians have a unique way of naming their buildings.

As an option we can visit the Clydeside Museum which is the transport museum of Glasgow. Inside it has a recreation of the old city streets and also on its docks is the Glenlee Tallship. A place to discover Glasgow's maritime heritage!

Finishing offer with a tour of the Westend of Glasgow. The University was moved here in the 19th century but its history goes much further back. It is the 2nd oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1451. Some of the most important educaters went here; James Watt (Father of the Industrial Revolution), Adam Smith (father of economics), John Logie Baird (inventor of the Television) and much more. Albert Einstein gave a lecture on the Modern Theory of Relativity here in 1931. Its impressive Neo Gothic Archicture of the towering Bute Hall is the backdrop for Kelingrove Park.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was funded by the profits made by the Glasgow Exhibition in 1888 celebrating Glasgow as the Second city of the Empire. Built in Spanish Baroque style using Dumfriesshire red sandstone recently restored. State of the art galleries displaying 8000 objects including pieces by the Glasgow Boys. It is the most popular free attraction in Scotland! As an option we can visit here.

The itinerary can be customised to your request depending on which attractions you would like to visit most. Another optional visit is the Burrell Collection at Pollock Park. For more details contact us and we can start planning your tour of Glasgow.

Let Glasgow Flourish!!!