U.K. Trip, Part IV: Three Days in Glasgow

Glasgow held a lot of surprises for me—in the best way. It may not have Edinburgh’s skyline, but it more than makes up for it with bold creativity, striking Victorian architecture, and a thriving arts scene. The city feels wonderfully authentic—less polished for tourists and more a reflection of everyday, lived-in Scotland. With excellent food, lively pubs, and famously friendly locals, Glasgow is a hidden gem that reveals its charm to anyone willing to look.

Splurging on Buchanan Street

Glasgow’s famous shopping street is the heart beat of the city. It is lined with a mix of high-stores, quirky boutiques, and eateries, all set against beautifully maintained Victorian and modern architecture. It’s also home to a massive Lush cosmetics store, where I couldn’t resist splurging on some ridiculously expensive facial cream—a nice little luxury.

Glasgow Cathedral and Victorian Cemetery

Glasgow Cathedral is well worth a quick visit, its soaring Gothic architecture and 13th century crypt, rich with history. Just beyond it, the hilltop paths of Glasgow Necropolis offer a surprisingly peaceful place to wander—rewarding you with sweeping views over the city.

Glasgow Through Art

Although murals in public places isn’t a new concept, Glasgow does it particularly well — using bold, large-scale works to reflect the city’s character and creative spirit.

Kelvingrove Museum

This might be one of my favorite museums—and I’ve been to plenty! There’s so much to take in, and we were grateful to join the free guided tour. I was captivated by the armory collection, but my favorite room held paintings of Scottish history, including a haunting depiction of the ill-fated MacDonalds. The museum also houses masterpieces by European greats like Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gogh, and Matisse, along with Salvador Dalí’s striking floating, top-down crucifixion. The Expression wing’s floating heads are equally unforgettable. As we left, the sound of the organ echoing through the grand entry hall was the perfect final note to our visit.

The massive red-stone building is impressive on its own, but stepping into the cloistered interior courtyard truly feels like stepping back in time. Inside, the compact yet thoughtfully curated Hunterian Museum offers plenty to explore. One large room showcases Roman artifacts from the Antonine Wall, but my favorite exhibits were the 18th-century surgical instruments and specimens—slightly creepy, yet captivating. I was also enchanted by the delicate collection of birds’ nests and—most surprisingly—one teeny, tiny insect.

Modern Art and a Cone Head

The Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art wasn’t my favorite stop—perhaps modern art just isn’t my thing. Outside, the iconic equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington is famous for an irreverent local tradition—a traffic cone perched on its head—an apparently playful nod to Glasgow’s fun-loving nature.

Mosaics, Marble, and Municipal Pride

Who knew Glasgow City Chambers held so many architectural jewels? Despite navigating the construction around George Square, it was well worth the effort to join the free tour. The sweeping Carrara marble staircase—said to rival even the Vatican’s in scale—is stunning. And as a bonus, you can step into the grand council chamber and momentarily imagine yourself part of the city’s civic drama.

Whiskey and New Friends

In a city full of pubs we hit just the right one, The Pot Still, which history dates back to the 19th century. Upon entry the pub was crowded and space tight, but we managed to grab a table adjacent to a lively group of residents who became fast friends.

Another highlight where I mingled with travelers from around the world was the tour at Clydeside Distillery. I loved learning about Scotland’s five distinct whisky-producing regions and how the flavor of each dram reflects its origin. But my favorite part of the tour was the sit-down whisky tasting, perfectly paired with handcrafted chocolates.

Zipping Around on the “Clockwork Orange”

If subways can be fun, Glasgow’s certainly earns the title—and it’s remarkably easy to use! The city’s charming orange-striped subway cars run a circular 15-station line, making it nearly impossible to get lost. As the third-oldest subway system in the world, it’s a historic ride with a modern convenience.

Just steps from my Glasgow hotel near the River Clyde, I caught the subway at Argyle Street and minutes later emerged at Hillhead—an easy launch point for exploring Ashton Lane, where we enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere at Ubiquitous Chip.

Glasgow, Uncovered

Glasgow surprised me at every turn—with lively streets, warm people, a thriving arts scene, hilltop cemeteries, and cozy — city blends history, creativity, and everyday life in an authentic, inviting way. It’s the unexpected moments that make Glasgow a place you want to linger, a city that charms and easily earns a spot on any Scotland itinerary.