The centre is has now become the annual venue for the Beck Futures Awards, which is seen as one of the most important award ceremonies for young artistic talent in Britain.
www.cca.org, 350 Sauchiehall St. Tel: 0141 352-4900
Free admission
Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
The GOMA is situated within the former Royal Exchange and boasts important collections from all over the world. Permanent galleries include works by Stanley Spencer and John Bellany, as well as several pieces from ‘the Glasgow boys’ who emerged in the 1980s such as Steven Campbell, Ken Currie and Peter Howson. The galleries are spread across no less than four floors, named ‘earth’, ‘fire’, ‘wind’ and ‘water.’
www.glasgowmuseums.com, Royal Exchange Sq. Tel: 0141/229-1996
Free admission
Kelvingrove Art Gallery
The third of the great galleries in Glasgow. The recently refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and museum offer a plethora of works that truly show the soul of Glasgow’s artistic history. The Burrell Collection is one of the Gallery’s main attractions, however it also hosts works by the likes of Salvador Dali and other European artists. The ‘Glasgow Boys’ of the 1980s have a whole wing of the gallery devoted to them and there is also an interesting interactive gallery. The gallery also has an excellent cafe serving local and popular dishes.
www.glasgowmuseums.com, Argyle St. Tel: 0141/276-9599
Free admission
Glasgow Transport Museum
This museum is worth the visit alone to see the recreated 1938 Glasgow Street, which features period shop-fronts and vehicles from that era, plus another recreation, featuring one of Glasgow’s underground stations. Inside the museum there are also various ships in the Clyde Room, which document the significance of the shipyards and shipbuilding in the city through the ages.
www.glasgowmuseums.com, 1 Bunhouse Rd. Tel: 0141/287-2720
Free admission
Glasgow Science Centre
The magnificent Science Centre is housed in a tall tower with an observatory floor at the top offering unrivalled views across Glasgow. Situated on the banks of the River Clyde across from the SECC, this futuristic building boasts many interactive exhibitions and artefacts that document the history of technology from around the world and that relative to Glasgow. The Science Centre also contains a planetarium and a large IMAX theatre.
www.glasgowsciencecentre.org, 50 Pacific Quay. Tel: 0141/420-5010
Admission: £6.95 for adults, £4.95 for children.
Glasgow Tips
Although the Barrowlands area of Glasgow is perhaps best avoided at night, by daytime the thriving ‘Barras’ Market is a hotbed of activity and the very essence of Glaswegian culture, likewise the Briggait Market.
Glasgow is awash with shopping centres and shops. The St. Enoch Centre is Europe’s largest glass-roofed building. This large centre is crammed with a variety of shops, many of which are chain stores. For designer ware and independent shops, head to Princes Square, just off Buchanan Street. If you are hunting out jewellery, Argyle Arcade has many jewellers, all housed along within a sheltered street.
Glasgow was once voted ‘British Capital of Curry’ two years running and with good reason. To find some of the best curry houses, head to Charing Cross and Berkeley Street where you will find many excellent restaurants. Celebrated establishments include Panjea, Ashoka Flame and Mr. Singh’s India.
Glasgow may have harboured a reputation for being a ‘violent city’; however, the city centre remains very safe at night time. However, certain areas of Glasgow are split by a Republican/Loyalist divide, largely augmented by followers of Celtic and Rangers football clubs. Quite simply, refrain from wearing sports tops or colours, which may provoke a reaction.
Glasgow SECC (The Armadillo)