Fiona Whitting took a trip to vibrant Glasgow – the city that is often overshadowed by its more popular sister city, Edinburgh – to discover why it’s deserving of just as much love
While some might argue that Glasgow lacks the prestige of Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, Fiona Whitting embarked on a journey to the lively city where she once studied, to uncover why it deserves as much affection as its more renowned sibling.
During a city walkabout, she encountered an American tourist who remarked: ”Edinburgh is like Disneyland everything’s geared towards the tourist. Glasgow, however there’s a real city.”
Fiona found herself in complete agreement – though she confessed her own partiality, having been a student there. She recalled: “Back then the city council had conjured up a clever branding tag Glasgow’s Miles Better aimed at boosting its image. Locals knew it was really a veiled dig at its glitzier neighbour Edinburgh.”
On the tour of Glasgow’s street murals, guide Caron echoed these sentiments. She said: “Glasgow is full of unique charm. And, of course, the people are amazing.”
The tour showcases some of the striking artwork that embellishes various buildings, such as St Mungo a portrayal of Glasgow’s founder and a patron of the city holding a robin on his finger, painted by a prolific artist named Smug. There are also two massive murals of comedian Billy Connolly, a native of the city, and one of a couple in a loving embrace falling through the air painted by The Rebel Bear dubbed Glasgow’s Banksy due to their concealed identity.
This was a side of Glasgow that Fiona, being relatively new, had never witnessed before. Glasgow’s stunning River Clyde regeneration is a new side to the city that’s worth exploring.
Once globally recognised for its shipbuilding prowess, the Clyde fell into disrepair following the industry’s decline in the 1960s. However, recent revamps have transformed the river banks into bustling leisure venues and stylish flats.
Fiona and her friend Beth decided to explore this by taking the Clyde Ride on a RIB Boat. She said: “The trip sped us past sights like Finnieston Crane, a huge disused cantilever crane that remains a symbol of Glasgow’s engineering heritage, and the modern ‘squiggly bridge’ a pedestrian river crossing so named because of its lazy S shape. “
After their boat ride, they visited the Riverside Museum, a tribute to transport and technology that celebrates Glasgow’s role in shipbuilding and engineering. The striking building, which opened in 2011, was designed by renowned architect Dame Zaha Hadid and features a glass front and a zig-zag roof that mimics a wave.
Highlights included a wall stacked with full-size cars, including a Rolls-Royce Phantom II, a cobbled street reminiscent of old Glasgow and the Clyde-built tall ship Glenlee docked outside.
After their exploration, they stopped by the Prancing Stag, a hidden gem of a restaurant known for its delicious food, friendly staff and pleasantly unpretentious atmosphere. Fiona said: “Menus were based around seasonal Scottish produce, with starters like west coast fish, crab and sweetcorn cakes, smoked salmon with smoked trout rillettes, and Loch Fyne scallop with pea and ham hough (the Scots equivalent of hock) pancake.
“Mains included saddle of Cairngorm roe deer and fillet of red gurnard with langoustine and caviar in a shellfish bisque. Believe me, they all tasted as good as they sound.”
The duo lodged at the conveniently located city centre Radisson Blu, just a stone’s throw from Central Station where they had arrived by train.
“The journey takes just four-and-a-half hours from London and two hours 20 from Preston where Beth had joined me with services every hour. It certainly beat driving.”
Having both studied in Glasgow, Beth and Fiona couldn’t resist a trip to the West End, home to the University of Glasgow. Fiona remarked: “The Gothic buildings of the university itself said to be the inspiration for Hogwarts remained impressive, while newly transformed Finnieston proved to be a new gem. Once run-down, it’s now home to art and craft studios, cafes and Dockyard Social, a cool street food market where we tucked into baked mackerel with potato salad, chicken bao buns and watermelon daiquiris.”
Back in the city centre, the pair relished yet more incredible Scottish cuisine.
“At the trendy Table Twenty Eight in Merchants Square mall, we engaged in friendly banter with the staff while savouring plump and juicy Shetland mussels in a mouth-watering cider and sriracha broth and pan-fried salmon in a smooth Mangalore curry sauce with black mustard and curry leaf potatoes.
“Meanwhile, at Maison by Glaschu, a sophisticated French brasserie on Princes Square, I indulged in the largest piece of seared tuna ever on a salad nicoise, while Beth enjoyed fresh tagliatelle in a chicken and butter sauce. The shellfish tempura was also a hit.
“New and old, we’d had a splendid sampling of Glasgow’s delights. Who says you should never go back?”
Plan your trip
Avanti West Coast fares from London Euston to Glasgow start at £33 one way; Preston starts at £12.50. avantiwestcoast.co.uk.
Accommodation at the Radisson Blu hotel in Glasgow begins at £126 a night for bed and breakfast. radissonhotels.com.
For more information, visit visitscotland.com, visitglasgow.com.
