Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1
THE BEST OF
EDINBURGH &
GLASGOW
Given the contrasting reputations of Edinburgh and
Glasgow, any travelers who haven't examined a
map of Scotland might be forgiven for thinking
that they are separated by hundreds of miles. In fact, Scot-
land's two primary cities are only about 74km (46 miles)
apart, but almost everyone who visits them will be struck
by their differences.
Both cities contribute mightily—and equally—to the cultural vibrancy of
the nation. With this in mind, the country is improving the public trans-
portation links between the two cities, first by increasing the frequency
of trains and second by contemplating a high-speed rail link between
them.
To the east, Edinburgh offers a famous and almost fairytale-like set-
ting, with an imposing castle high on one of many hills. Built on ancient
volcanoes and first established because of its secure and defensible posi-
tion, the capital of Scotland has become a crossroads. Practically every-
one who comes to Scotland today spends some time in Edinburgh—and
its midsummer international arts festival is one of the biggest in the
world. Edinburgh is the second most popular tourist destination in Great
Britain after London, and it's not hard to see why. Compact and tidy, it is
more of a big town than a small city.
In the west, Glasgow, on the other hand, is not a place that anyone
might call precious. Glasgow was settled earlier than its cross-country
rival because it was an ideal place to ford the mighty River Clyde, and
later gained a reputation for shipbuilding and industry. For all its ancient
origins, today Glasgow resembles nothing so much as a modern, cosmo-
politan city, with a growing population. It has overcome its 20th-century
associations with grime, grit, and gangsters—and now it is arguably more
vibrant than Edinburgh, with a vigorous music and art scene. Without a
picturesque castle or flamboyant palace, it exemplifies urban Scotland:
Dynamic and attuned to the world. In 1990, it was named European
Culture Capital; in 1999, U.K. City of Architecture and Design; and in
2014, it will host the Commonwealth Games.
