Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There are several good attractions along the Clyde, but the walk along its banks still
isn't all that it could be; it can feel bleak and impersonal, with oversized buildings dwarf-
ing the humble pedestrian.
MUSEUM
Riverside Museum
(
www.glasgowmuseums.com
;
100 Pointhouse Pl; 10am-5pm Mon-Thu & Sat,
11am-5pm Fri & Sun)
The latest development along the Clyde is this visually impressive
new museum, whose striking curved facades are the work of Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. A
transport museum forms the main part of the collection, featuring an excellent series of
cars made in Scotland, plus assorted railway locos, trams, bikes (including the world's
first pedal-powered bicycle from 1847) and model Clyde-built ships. An atmospheric re-
creation of a Glasgow shopping street from the early 20th century puts the vintage
vehicles into a social context. The magnificent
Tall Ship Glenlee
(
www.thetallship.com
;
adult/child £5/3; 10am-5pm Mar-Oct, to 4pm Nov-Feb)
, a beautiful three-master
launched in 1896, is berthed alongside the museum. On board are displays about the
ship's history, restoration and shipboard life during its heyday. The Riverside is west of
the centre at Glasgow Harbour; you can reach it on bus 100 from the north side of George
Sq, or via the Clyde Clippers boat service. There's also a cafe.
Glasgow Science Centre
(
0141-420 5000;
www.gsc.org.uk
; 50 Pacific Quay; Science Mall adult/child £9.95/
7.95, IMAX, tower or planetarium £2.50; 10am-5pm Wed-Sun)
Scotland's flagship mil-
lennium project, the ultramodern Glasgow Science Centre, will keep the kids entertained
for hours (that's middle-aged kids, too!). It brings science and technology alive through
hundreds of interactive exhibits on four floors. Look out for the illusions (like rearranging
your features through a 3-D head-scan) and the cloud chamber, which makes natural radi-
ation visible. The museum consists of an egg-shaped titanium-covered
IMAXtheatre
(phone for current screenings) and an interactive
Science Mall
with floor-to-ceiling win-
dows - a bounty of discovery for young, inquisitive minds. There's also a rotating 127m-
high
observation tower
; a planetarium, where the
Scottish Power Space Theatre
brings
the night sky to life, and a
Virtual Science Theatre
, which treats visitors to a 3-D mo-
lecular journey. To get here, take Arriva bus 24 from Renfield St or First Glasgow bus 89
or 90 from Union St.
MUSEUM
