I’ve always found it easy to get lost in Glasgow, but on my recent trip there, I was lost in activity instead, as I sampled some of the many things to do as the festive season approaches.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city and is world-renowned for its arts and culture scene, architectural heritage and shopping, with more than two million visitors a year.
My companion Emily and I were staying at the Park Inn by Radisson Hotel, one of several on West George Street, and a stone’s throw from Queen Street station. This was ideal as, with only a weekend at our disposal, it was straight out into the busy streets.
GOMA COLOURS
When the city’s own tourist info mentions “the infamous Glasgow weather”, you know what to expect. Sanctuary from the downpour was sought, and what better location that one of Glasgow’s free museums? Glasgow has Europe’s largest civic art collection with a wide variety of fine art, historic objects and natural history, all exhibited in some of the city’s most beautiful public buildings. We had time to pick one, and opted for the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art.
Housed in an elegant neo-classical building on Royal Exchange Square – famous for the statue of Wellington with a traffic cone on his head – this provided some fascinating displays. I particularly enjoyed the bright colours and humour of the Niki de Saint Phalle exhibition, featuring large multi-coloured sculptures of people, animals and fantastical creatures, conjuring up the fun – and weather – of Spain, France and Africa.
LUXURY THAI DINING
Dinner was at Chaophraya, Europe’s largest Thai restaurant, located in the Townhouse on Buchanan Street. Amid decorous ballroom surroundings, we enjoyed a three-course meal and made good use of the cocktail menu, with such Thai specialities as Yok Lor – a tasty mix of berries, vodka and chambord. I opted for steamed dumplings, followed by crisp pork belly with thai basil. Emily went for vegetable temura and tofu pad Thai noodles. So generous were the food portions that I didn’t manage to finish mine – though, admittedly, that may have been something to do with the cocktails.
Glasgow hosts an average of 130 music events each week, which is more than any other Scottish city, so all musical tastes are catered for. With this in mind, our day was rounded off with a small-scale solo gig at the Tron Theatre Victorian Bar, where up-and-coming Irish singer-songwriter Fiach Moriarty lived up to his frankly tremendous name. Just the thing for relaxation after the large meal we’d just enjoyed.
SUNDAY SHOPPING EXHIBITION
Sunday is not a day of rest in Glasgow when there’s shopping to be done, and the city has more than 1,500 shops to choose from, including every major high street store, Scotland’s only Hamleys, and everything from high end designers to quirky independent boutiques. In fact, Glasgow has been recognised as the best place to shop outside London’s West End.
If it’s fashion and style you’re after, then the city’s “Style Mile” is the place to be. Though I profess not to have any myself, those with style can find a huge and varied range of stores such as Forever21, All Saints and Agent Provocateur. Indoor malls such as Buchanan Galleries and Argyll Arcade also offer plenty of variety. Along with the big chains, you can also find plenty of hand-crafted goods. Sloan’s Market within Argyll Arcade runs every weekend and offers everything from homemade jewellery to speciality prints.
We were particularly taken with Merchant Square, a covered courtyard housing a large craft and design fair. This runs every weekend and is highly recommended. There were all manner of unique arts and crafts on display, and I couldn’t resist snapping up a collection of hand-crafted Christmas cards from one of the talented artists who had set up stall here.
DINING WITH DECOR
We followed this shopping expedition with what is probably the grandest venue I’ve ever eaten Sunday lunch in – that of Tellers Bar & Brasserie at the Corinthian Club on Ingram Street. Situated within one of the city’s most elaborate and richly decorated buildings, we ate surrounded by superb sculptural plasterwork, freestanding classical figures and directly under the 26 foot Corinthian glass dome which gives the club its name. We both agreed that good though the food was, the décor trumped it all.
But the day was winding on, and with so much left of Glasgow still to see before having to catch my train back to Aberdeen, it was the official City Sightseeing bus tour to the rescue.
This was an excellent way to learn some fascinating historical facts about the city and to see where all the museums, parks and places of interest are located. If you’re thinking of spending several days in Glasgow, it’s definitely worth it as a first activity to get your bearings and plan your days. However, as the bus tour wound its way back to George Square, even then gearing up for a packed festive programme, I was aware that I had barely scratched the surface of things to see and do in Glasgow.
George Square has now been transformed into a Christmas wonderland with free family-friendly entertainment, daily until January 5, 2014. Events include Santa story times, pantomimes, puppet shows and dance events. Glasgow Christmas Market is open on St Enoch’s Square, offering gifts, handmade crafts and food and drink from around the world from 10am daily until December 23. For more information visit www.glasgowloveschristmas.com Over the festive season, Park Inn by Radisson is offering a special “Sparkle” package, starting at £60 per person per room, and including “super breakfast buffet”, two glasses of Prosecco and a sharing platter. Visit www.parkinn.co.uk/hotel-glasgow/hotel-deals/sparkle-city-glapd for more details