Taking the Mackintosh "Trail" and Discovering Greek Thomson -- Architecture in Glasgow has not always been appreciated, and city planners after World War II had a mind to accomplish what German bombers had not: that is, knock down the city's glorious Victorian structures. Luckily they were stopped. In the 19th century, the city spawned two singular stars of architecture with the now-famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh as well as lesser-known, but equally talented, Alexander "Greek" Thomson.
Visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Burrell Collection -- The artistic pièces de résistance of Glasgow (and some say in all of Scotland), the Kelvingrove -- restored in 2006 -- and Burrell are two of the city's major attractions. The former showcases the excellent municipal art collection. The latter shows what a virtually unlimited budget, acquired during the lifetime of shipping baron Sir William Burrell, can purchase.
Hanging Out in the West End -- From dining in trendy bistros to shopping at vintage clothing or antiquary book shops -- or just strolling the streets near the University and around the Botanic Gardens, Glasgow's West End is bound to have something to interest the erudite explorer.
Downing a Dram in a Glasgow Bar -- Whether sipping a 12-year-old single malt whisky from the island of Islay or nursing a pint of lager, you should find that Glasgow's many bars are the best places to connect with the local population. In contrast to the essay by the 20th-century poet Hugh MacDiamid, the city's drinkers are generally not "dour" but rather friendly if occasionally direct.
