The Glasgow Experience

Museums The Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Glasgow School of Art (1896) is across the road from McLays Guest House. The School has guided tours, exhibitions and a gift shop. You can also see more of CRM's amazing work at the University of Glasgow's Hunterian Art Gallery, again not far from McLays.  There are several other CRM buildings in and around the city.  The Glasgow Herald Buildings (The Lighthouse), Scotland's National Centre for Architecture and Design, is also in the city centre. The Scottish Maritime Museum at Braehead reflects the importance of the tobacco and cotton trades and the building of ships on the River Clyde that carried these goods across the world. You can travel to the museum either by bus or water bus. It was at the John Brown's Shipyard on the Clyde that the QE2 was built in 1967. 

The Burrell Collection in Pollock Park on the south side of the city has a vast collection of artifacts from all over the world collected by Sir William Burrell who gifted his acquisitions to the city. The Gallery of Modern Art in Royal Exchange Square is located in the very centre of the city. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in the west end of the city and within walking distance or short bus ride of McLays, is world renowned and held in high esteem by its citizens. The Museum of Transport is just across the road from the Kelvingrove.  The People's Palace and the Winter Gardens are other exhibits of Scotland's social culture. Remember that most galleries and museums in Glasgow have free entry.

Theatres & Venues Glasgow has a range of theatres of differing sizes offering a variety of well loved plays and shows - The Arches, Citizens' Theatre just south of the river, Kings Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, Theatre Royal, Tron Theatre all in the city centre, Oran Mor in the west end.

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) is a large capacity venue for concerts, shows and exhibitions. The Carling Academy and the Braehead International Arena are other popular venues. The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is one of the most popular venues for classical and other musical events. King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Barrowlands are smaller venues of world renown that have and continue to play host to old as well as up and coming bands.

Eating & Drinking - Glasgow has a huge selection of bars & clubs that cover almost every taste. There are bars/clubs in most areas of the city. During the Summer, you can eat and drink in seated pavement areas in many areas. The west end has a range of more upmarket restaurants, bars and clubs. The 'Merchant City' area off the city centre has a similar range of cafe culture and nightlife. The later also hosts a number of well known gay bars and clubs.  Restaurants - Glasgow has a wealth of all styles, ethnic types and price range of eateries too numerous to mention and most within easy reach of Mclays.