UNESCO World Heritage Site New Lanark is something of a living museum. The former industrial community, famous for its utopian socialist ideal, is now home to around 250 residents and a Visitor Centre that details the village's fascinating history.
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Daily
Test your mettle on the Tornado or the underslung Tsunami or enjoy something a little less hair-raising at M&D's, Scotland's theme park. Located outside of Glasgow, each ride is charged separately but unlimited wristbands are also available.
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Mar - Oct 2013 (annual)
A private lift whisks visitors to The Restaurant Bar & Grill in Glasgow's city centre. Order a cocktail and watch the chefs at the rotisserie and wood oven. An Asian plate to share, Tuscan breads and Gloucester Old Spot sausages and mash reflect the menu's eclecticism.
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Daily
The main branch of boutique-style department store Fifi & Ally is in Glasgow's Princes Square. Shop here for niche beauty and clothing brands as well as quirky homeware, then have afternoon tea in the Cupping Salon cafe.
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Daily
Don't be put off by the castellations - there's nothing aggressive about Stobo castle, unless you consider a "G5 Vibratory and Hydrotherapy Back Massage" as a wee bit provocative.
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Daily
Glaswegians live and breathe football. At the Scottish Football Museum in the national stadium at Hampden in the South Side, see 14 galleries filled with memorabilia from the beautiful game. Early items include a 19th-century letter suggesting that games should last two hours.
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Daily
There are thousands of stalls at The Barras weekend market in the East End of Glasgow. Browse the lanes and covered areas to find everything from black pudding to antiques. Shops selling Celtic Football Club memorabilia abound, as do busy Celtic-orientated pubs.
Available :
Weekends only
The People's Palace is a museum tracing the social history of Glasgow from 1750 until the present day. There are exhibits showing home life during the Second World War and a "steamie" (laundrette), as well as more up-to-date displays.
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Daily
At Glasgow's Farmers' Market in the South Side's Queen's Park, local suppliers sell goodies like smoked Scottish salmon, heather honey and organic cheeses. Local foodies and visiting browsers gather to sample the produce.
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Feb 2013 (various dates)
The Barrowland in the East End is a faded ballroom with glitzy neon signs, where legends like Iggy Pop once performed. These days major bands like U2 and The Zutons entertain less than 2000 fans in this relatively intimate venue.
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Daily
The Glasgow Show begins with a parade from George Square to the main festival site on Glasgow Green. Families get stuck into activities across different themed zones (from Motorsport to Countryside), and watch thrilling stunt shows in the Main Arena.
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Jul 2013 (annual)
Support Maggie's Cancer Car Centres and other local charities by taking part in the annual Pedal for Scotland charity ride. The classic ride is 51 miles between Glasgow Green in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but 2010 saw the first 94-mile sportive challenge.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Every year Glasgow celebrates Bonfire Night with a spectacular show including fireworks, lasers, live bands and a funfair on Glasgow Green. Entertainment continues until 8pm, with the city's famous Winter Gardens as the backdrop.
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Nov 2013 (annual)
The world's biggest bagpipe event is held in the centre of Glasgow, bringing together traditional pipe bands from around the world. Drummers and dancers also compete at the World Pipe Band Championships on Glasgow Green.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
The oldest building in the city, Glasgow Cathedral in the East End is a perfect example of beautifully restored pre-Reformation Gothic architecture. See the modern stained-glass windows and the tomb of St Mungo.
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Daily
The Necropolis reflects the importance of Glasgow during Victorian times, when the city was a hugely influential shipping centre. The "City of the Dead" contains over 3500 tombs, including one to John Knox that stands atop the Grey Rock.
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Daily
First held in 2007, the Glasgow Americana festival is the city's biggest celebration of American folk, welcoming American and local country, folk and roots musicians to the city's Americana festival. Organised by The Fallen Angels Club, gigs take place across town.
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Oct 2013 (annual)
The University of Glasgow is the brains behind the city's annual Science Festival. Absorb fascinating facts at film screenings, talks and workshops in venues on campus and around the city centre. The programme features both events for families and adults.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
The biennial Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art exhibits the best of local talent as well as welcoming international artists. With exhibitions at various locations throughout the city, the festival showcases the fascinating variety of contemporary visual art.
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Apr - May 2013 (annual)
Glasgow's Doors Open Days allow public access to the city's most intriguing nooks and crannies. The city has a fascinating architectural history and this festival offers expert tours in diverse settings from the Glasgow Necropolis to the A-listed Buchanan House.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
Glasgow's Southside festival brings together the local community for a day of music, culture and fun in Queens Park and the Glasshouses. The day-long festival features a parade, funfair and park gala as well as art, film and musical performances.
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May 2013 (annual)
The Glasgow Film Festival returns for a programme bursting with premières, special screenings, guest speakers and workshops across the city. Incorporating mini-festivals and "various strands" focusing on different genres, it brings every facet of cinema to the heart of Scotland's commercial centre.
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Feb - Mar 2013 (annual)
Pipers from all over the world gather in Glasgow to take part in Piping Live!, a week-long celebration of all things bagpipe. With shows and competitions at the city's top venues it is one of the world's premier piping events.
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Aug 2013 (annual)
First held in 1911, the Glasgow Music Festival celebrates young soloists and groups alike over a fortnight each March at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall and Renfield St Stephen's Church Centre. It encompasses a surprisingly wide variety of amateur performances.
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Mar 2013 (annual)
The UK's answer to the Tour de France picks up from the world famous French race with a dash round the British countryside. Sixteen of the world's elite cycling teams battle it out over six days of rugged riding.
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Sep 2008 (annual)
First held in 2002, the Glasgow International Comedy Festival rapidly established itself as the biggest laugh in Scotland. Each year it features over 200 laughter-filled events in over 40 venues throughout the city.
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Mar - Apr 2013 (annual)
First held in 1987, the Glasgow International Jazz Festival brings swing to the Merchant City area of the city and further afield. It is now one of the major Scottish jazz celebrations, annually attracting an impressive and eclectic line-up of international artists.
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Jun - Jul 2013 (annual)
First held in 1994, Glasgow's queer cultural festival - wittily entitled Glasgay! - paints Scotland's second city pink (and many other colours) each autumn. Since its inception, Glasgay! has grown ten-fold, now welcoming 35,000 visitors to 20 venues across the city.
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Oct - Nov 2013 (annual)
A cafe that serves the suited community during the day and is predominantly mixed gay/lesbian in the evening, Caffe Latte is a popular choice for hip Glaswegians.
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Daily
Athletes put their fitness to the test and raise money for charity on the Great Scottish Run, sponsored by the Bank of Scotland. Both the half marathon and 10K routes start in George Square and finish at Glasgow Green.
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Sep 2013 (annual)
The West End Festival brings music, film, art and performance events to the venues and communities of Glasgow's West End. The opening Scottish-style Mardi Gras parade is followed by everything from blockbuster films to street parties.
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Jun 2013 (annual)
Over 100,000 revellers take to Glasgow's streets on New Year's Eve, including 25,000 who are lucky enough (or organised enough) to get tickets for George Square. That's where the main celebration takes place, including Scotland's biggest outdoor ceilidh.
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Dec 2011 (annual)
Exhibits and information about the world's six main faiths is on offer at the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art in the East End of Glasgow. Visitors contemplate Hinduism and Buddhism and explore the Zen garden, all housed on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle.
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Daily
At Mono in Glasgow's Merchant City, diners sample organic wines and choose from a great value vegan menu - the roasted pepper lasagne is a big hit. The eclectic surroundings include deep scuffed sofas, free trade goodies to purchase and in-house indie music store, Monorail.
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Daily
Arta, a former cheese market in Merchant City, attracts a sophisticated dressy crowd. The Canvas Club plays pop tunes, while funk and soul is on offer at The Red & Gold Rooms, hung with gilt-framed copies of Old Masters.
Available :
Daily; not Mon or Tue
Hand-crafted wooden chairs set the rustic tone for Café Gandolfi in Glasgow's Merchant City. Diners sit beneath the stained-glass window, reading the papers and enjoying long lunches. Scottish standards like haggis with neeps and tatties (swede and potatoes) remain perennial favourites with the fashionable crowd.
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Daily
The Dhabba, in Merchant City, is an authentic Indian restaurant in a modern Glasgow setting. A favourite is raan sikandari, baby leg of lamb on the bone cooked in dark sum sauce.
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Daily
Arguably the best fajitas in town are served at Pancho Villa's in Glasgow's Merchant City. Always packed, reservations are essential at this lively and brightly decorated Mexican cantina. Ice-cold margaritas and king prawn fajitas dripping in sour cream are favourites with the lively young clientele.
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Daily
The Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, home to a unique exhibition of Kinemats (kinetic sculptures), is the extraordinary home of these tiny carved figures and pieces of scrap which dance to haunting music and synchronised lighting, as machinery and shadows come alive.
Available :
Daily; not Sat
Polo Lounge in Glasgow's Merchant City is one of the most popular gay clubs in the city. A laid back cocktail hour gives way to attitude-free clubbing among the sweeping drapes and leather banquettes.
Available :
Daily
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