This December I took a solo trip to visit the beautiful city of Glasgow. Due to the rain I spent most of my time in art galleries but also got the opportunity to wander across the city viewing the incredible murals dotted about.
Getting to Glasgow
Arriving in Glasgow Central station after four and a half hours sitting on the train, it felt good to stretch my legs. The station is quite a large one but not as big as Manchester Piccadilly, where I changed trains on the way up from Yorkshire. It was easy to navigate my way out of the station, and head down Hope Street to Motel One Glasgow where I would be staying for the next two nights. I was immediately surrounded by the wonderful Glaswegian accent and couldn't help but get distracted by passers by wanting to stop and listen to their conversations.
I had checked the weather before setting off and thankfully I brought the right clothing. Since I used to live in Canada where the temperatures can plummet, I made sure to bring my old down filled winter coat so that I didn't have to layer up too much as I wandered round the city. It rained on and off for most of the first two days while I was there. The only good day I got was the last one, so make sure to pack appropriately if you're heading to Scotland in winter.
Tip
Make sure your coat is waterproof and that you have a hood, hat, gloves and scarf if you get cold easily. My wintercoat may have been down filled but I discovered it wasn't fully waterproof after spending a good 40 minutes walking in the rain.
Motel One Glasgow was incredibly convenient in terms of location. It was a nice hotel, not too fancy but not too basic either. The plus point for me was being able to leave my luggage for the last day and not having to hurry to collect it with it being just across the road from the train station. The staff was friendly and helpful in terms of asking for recommendations too. If you don't feel comfortable asking random strangers on the street where to go and what to see, ask the staff of the hotel as they'll not only provide suggestions of where they've enjoyed but will pass on what other guests have recommended too.
Tip
Always plan your locations well and make sure they are convenient for your personal travel needs. If you prioritize hotel amenities, location and/or style, then make sure to bear that in mind as you research places to stay.
Where to go in Glasgow for art lovers
One thing that really stood out to me is the creative and artistic side of Glasgow. Not only is the architecture fabulous around the city making it a fun urban location for your photos but their love of art is showcased all around.
On my final day I took off walking and headed up to The Glasgow Necropolis to check out the views from the hill. Some of the headstones and tombstones where so detailed and elaborate that you just know whoever died was not only important but most likely very wealthy. Heading to a cemetary sounds a bit morbid but I highly recommend going.
As you walk through the streets of Glasgow, make sure you keep your eyes open and in search of the murals. Some are several stories high and some are quite small in comparison. Some will look you directly in the face so much that you can't miss it unless you're staring at the ground and some you will catch a glimpse of as you walk by, do a double take and take a few steps back to see it. I've included an up to date list of the city murals in my travel guide on Thatch and I've made sure to include the railway murals too if you're interested.
If you didn't already know, museums and galleries are free to attend in Glasgow which is perfect if you're an art lover. You can contribute by either donating spare change in the boxes they have available or do what I did and purchase something from their shops and cafés. I checked out the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, The Modern Institute, Glasgow Print Studio and The Glasgow Gallery of Photography. They range from large locations with huge pieces and artifacts on display to a cute little basement studio underneath an independent bookstore. You'll find all these recommendations and more in the guide mentioned above.
Glasgow Restaurants, where I ate
I was only there for two nights and when I want to indulge in the evening, I tend to skip lunch. I did head to Wagamama's the first night as every restaurant I walked past seemed to be packed and as I was travelling solo, I hadn't gone ahead to book a table anywhere. However, the second night I made sure to go to a more local place and headed to Barolo which is an Italian restaurant on Mitchell Street. The food was delicious, the cocktails were fun and the atmosphere was just right, providing a nice relaxed but stylish experience. The staff were attentive, friendly and knowledgeable and I would highly recommend a visit to anyone that is partial to authentic Italian cuisine.
On my final day I headed to Stack and Still on West George Street for brunch. They specialise in pancakes, both sweet and savoury but also have a selection of different options for any dietary requirements. I opted for the Full English Buttermilk pancakes and they did not disappoint.
What would I do on my next visit to Glasgow?
Anyone thats a fan of Outlander knows that there are some day trips that set off from Glasgow to tour some of the filming locations. If the weather had been better or I had more time this would have definitely been on my list of things to do.
There are other museums around Glasgow including by the Riverfront and at the University as well as further out so there's plenty of options if you're taking family or just fancy having a wander round.
If you're a countryside or a hiking person there's plenty to see in the surrounding area of Glasgow. My next trip to Scotland is most likely going to be a road trip through the highlands but I'll make sure it's in the summer.
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