Holiday homes and rentals in Glasgow

The city of Glasgow (or “Glaschu” in Gaelic) is located in west-central Scotland along both banks of the River Clyde, 32 kilometres from its mouth in the Atlantic Ocean. Situated within the historic county of Lanarkshire, it is Scotland’s largest city and the third-largest in the UK. Nestled between Highland and Lowland Scotland, it prospered as a market centre thanks to its strategic location and grew significantly after the historical union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603. Not surprisingly, the city has become a major cultural centre that offers something for everyone! Moving around Glasgow is also surprisingly easy by train, bus, taxi and the underground railway system, known as the “Clockwork Orange” because of its colour. It is also the third oldest underground railway system in the world. If you prefer to fly, Glasgow International Airport is your gateway to Scotland!

The University of Glasgow was built in 1451 and is the second-oldest university in Scotland. Over the years it has employed many illustrious teachers, including Joseph Lister, considered the “father of antiseptic surgery”. Another famous scientist who taught there was William Hunter, an 18th century Glaswegian doctor whose personal collection of anatomical parts, coins and objets d’art formed the foundation of the Hunterian Museum. It currently houses ethnographic, zoological and archaeological collections, including finds from Roman sites, and artworks by Rubens, Rembrandt and Reynolds. If you’re an “Outlander” fan, you might be interested in knowing that some of the scenes of season two were shot there!

Built in 1662, Glasgow Green is the oldest of Glasgow’s parks and within easy walking distance from the city centre. One of its main attractions includes the People’s Palace, built in 1898, which takes visitors on a trip through Glasgow’s history from 1750 to the 20th century. The Winter Garden, a large conservatory located at the back of the Palace, houses a collection of tropical and subtropical plants. Don’t miss visiting the beautiful Doulton Fountain, the world’s largest terracotta fountain, built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. Glasgow Green is also the site of the annual World Pipe Band Championship, held every August.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located in Glasgow’s bustling West End. It opened in 1901 and houses a collection of both British and continental paintings, including such famed works as Van Gogh’s portrait of Glaswegian art collector Alexander Reid and Salvador Dali’s “Christ of Saint John of the Cross”. Other featured exhibits include Scottish archaeological finds, namely Bronze Age tools and jewellery from Arran, Kintyre and Glenluce, 15th and 16th century helmets, crossbows and swords, Flemish tapestries, glassware and pottery.

Next door to Glasgow Cathedral is the Necropolis, a Victorian Gothic garden cemetery covering 37 acres. Visitors will marvel at the beautiful memorial stones, sculptures and buildings designed by such famous Glaswegian artists as Charles Rennie Macintosh. Make your way along tree-lined walks that look out over the cathedral and city amidst intricately carved Celtic crosses and weeping angels. It is also strategically located near Drygate Brewery and Tennents Brewery, a must-visit for beer lovers!

Do you have a passion for Scottish bagpipes and drumming? Then the National Piping Centre is the place for you! Whether you’re a professional performer or a fan, enrol in a lesson or course at one of its many bagpipe schools. It is also home to the Museum of Piping, whose collections feature the world’s oldest bagpipe relics and piping memorabilia belonging to Robbie Burns and Iain Dall MacKay. It also has a shop where you can pick up a souvenir to take back home!