Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Burrell —found a permanent home. In
1990, the city was named European
Capital of Culture.
That said, Glasgow is not a metrop-
olis without flaws. Pockets of poverty
remain in the city's peripheral housing
projects (estates or schemes). A major
motorway cuts a scar through the
center of town--and, not learning the
lessons of its harmful effects, the city has another new freeway slashing its way
through Glasgow's Southside. Although the city still appears to prefer knocking
buildings down and erecting new structures at the slightest opportunity, the splendor
of what architectural critics hailed as “the greatest surviving example of a Victorian
city” is still evident. The next big event to come to the city is the 2014 Common-
wealth Games.
On Glasgow's doorstep is the scenic estuary of the Firth of Clyde, with attractive
coastal peninsulas and atmospheric islands only short drives and ferry rides away.
In addition, Glasgow is a good gateway for exploring Burns Country in Ayrshire to
the southwest. From Glasgow, visitors can easily tour Loch Lomond and see some
of the southern fringes of the Highlands or travel less than an hour away to Stirling
and the Trossach mountains.
Impressions
The town of Glascow [sic], though not
so big, nor so rich, yet to all seems a
much sweeter and more delightful place
than Edinburgh.
—Daniel Defoe, 1650
13
ORIENTATION
Arriving
For information about arriving in Glasgow by plane, train, bus, or car, see “Getting
to Edinburgh & Glasgow,” p. 25 in chapter 3.
Visitor Information
The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board, 11 George Sq.
( &   0141/204-4400; www.seeglasgow.com; Underground: Buchanan St.), has a
full range of services, from hotel reservations to currency exchange. In addition to
piles of brochures, there is a small bookshop. During peak season it is open Monday
to Saturday from 9am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Hours are more lim-
ited during winter months. Getting full information about traveling around Glasgow
can be a bit frustrating. Traveline ( &   0871/200-2233; www.traveline.org.uk)
offers bus and rail timetable information but cannot tell you costs.
MAIN ARTERIES & LANDMARKS
Virtually all evidence of Glasgow's medieval existence was demolished by some well-
meaning--if heritage-destroying--urban renewal schemes of late Georgian and
Victorian Glasgow. So, no narrow alleys and cobbled streets remain in the original
city center around the High Street. Still standing on the hill at the top of High Street
is Glasgow Cathedral, an excellent example of pre-Reformation Gothic architecture
next to the hill-filling Central Necropolis. Down the High Street, no longer the city's
main street, you'll find the Tolbooth Steeple (1626) at Glasgow (or Mercat) Cross.
The Mercat Cross was the hub of the city until the 18th century. This area is now
generally called Merchant City and it flows rather seamlessly into Glasgow's
 
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