5 things you must do in Glasgow

Mackintosh House

I cannot recommend a visit here enough. Admittedly I had not expected the Mackintosh House to be one of my favourite attractions in Glasgow but without a doubt it was the surprise highlight of my trip.

The house, which is located within the Hunterian Art Gallery at the University of Glasgow, is an almost exact replica of original home of Charles and Margaret Mackintosh. A typical Victorian home remodelled by Charles and filled with furniture and art designed and made by Charles and his wife, Margaret, the building’s interiors are both beautiful and fascinating.

The young man who guided us around the house was an incredibly knowledgeable and refreshingly enthusiastic guide. He was clearly interested in his subject and was pleased to answer questions and discuss the Mackintosh’s lives and work rather than just regurgitating rehearsed information.  

The artistry of the house and story of its re-construction are both brilliant but what really brings the Mackintosh House to life is the intimate nature of the exhibition and how it reflects the story of its owners and the story of their love and life together.

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

The entrance to the park where the Botanic Gardens are located lies just off the trendy Byers road in Glasgow’s west end, opposite Òran Mór, one of Glasgow’s most famous venues. Passing into the park past the quaint gatehouse I was met by fragrant blossom and bright tulips, and the enticing scent of fresh coffee from the little vendor just inside the gate. Locals lounged on benches or strolled on up the path that leads onwards drawing the eye towards the pretty Victorian glass house on the right-hand side of the park.

This is Kibble Palace, a beautiful conservatory replete with fountain, sculpture and flora from around the world. It’s easy to imagine a young man, top hat in hand, and a young lady, swinging an elegant parasol at her side, taking a turn around the palace in bygone days and conversing in soft tones. These days as you wander around the glass house you can read the fascinating history of the Botanic Gardens and the plants which now reside there.  

The main house, slightly further on up the path at the top of the park, though perhaps slightly less grand in appearance from outside, houses the real treasures of the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Entering the main house is like stepping through a portal into another place entirely, where each new door takes you into a new world from desert to jungle, and the strange and wonderful plants hold an almost alien quality that transports you from the mundane to the extraordinary. Quaint touches like a beautiful iron spiral staircase hidden amongst dense foliage make a visit here a truly joyful and entirely unexpected experience.

Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow

The Hunterian is a fantastic little museum, where you can really enjoy everything on offer. Museums like the Natural History Museum in London are, of course, wonderful but can be somewhat overwhelming in their size, leaving little time for other activities in a day. At the Hunterian you can make the most of their varied exhibitions and permanent collections in just a couple of hours allowing you to make more of your time in Glasgow.  

Built on Dr William Hunter’s founding bequest, today the museum contains his own anatomical collection (slightly gruesome) as well as outstanding Roman artefacts from the Antonine Wall, prehistoric remains and even objects from Captain Cook’s Pacific voyages.

What really makes this museum a must-see for is its location within the stunning University of Glasgow: walking through a grassy courtyard surrounded by architecture that is at once reminiscent of castles and cathedrals, you could be forgiven for thinking you’d strayed into the grounds of Hogwarts!

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

An icon of Glasgow’s cultural scene, any trip to Glasgow would be incomplete complete without a visit to Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. Before even stepping through the front doors, the experience of visiting here is a spectacular one as you approach the building through the lovely Kelvingrove Park.

A beautiful Victorian park located around the banks of the River Kelvin and overlooked by the magnificent buildings of the University, you will find many interesting statues and fountains placed in the grounds.  

Then there is the building that houses the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum itself: an imposing piece of architecture, majestic in its design, the museum dominates the landscape of the west end park.

Inside the Art Gallery and Museum has rich and diverse permanent collections as well as wide-ranging contemporary exhibitions. With everything from natural history to arms and armour on display in the museum, and art ranging from the Old Masters to comic book cartoons, there is definitely something for everyone at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The Pot Still Whisky Bar

If you’re looking for an authentic whisky experience in Scotland then this is it. This fantastic little bar is tucked away on a quiet side street just a stone’s throw from the shops of Buchanan Street.

The Pot Still looks like a traditional British pub should: locals sit around heavy tables with iron bottoms and varnished wooden tops, on dark wood benches upholstered in red and green studded leather that line the walls and stools with tartan seats dotted around. It’s a popular spot, of course, but there is plenty of seating with another level above the bar. And the bar itself –  an incredible collection of whiskies matched only by the incredible staff who really know their wares!

Head up to the bar and, unless you have something specific in mind, you’ll be asked what you’re after and what kind of whisky you like. The barman will then recommend a few whiskies, bringing the bottle down from the shelves, tell you all about them and let you have a sniff before you make your decision. They’ll even provide you with fascinating facts, for instance I know now that the Scapa whisky from Orkney is named Skiren after the old Norse word for glittering skies.

Serving simple Scottish fare like neeps and tatties during the day, in the evening you can soak up the booze with delicious looking (unfortunately I didn't try them) scotch, haggis or black pudding pies! Friendly and relaxed, this is a perfect Glasgow pub and you can even book your own private tasting session.

Click here for more information on what to do in Glasgow, or, to discuss planning your inspirational itinerary in Scotland, call us on 0344 847 5004 or send an email to destinations@travelb.co.uk.