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Why?  The 'other' Scottish city, Glasgow is very different to Edinburgh, having in recent years shrugged off its reputation as a boring, deprived industrial city to becoming a desirable tourist destination. A holiday in Glasgow will prove the city is revitalised, with lovely parks, good museums and galleries, arguably the best shopping outside of London, and a lively music scene.

When?  Scottish weather is abysmal, so most choose to travel to Glasgow in the middle of summer (July and August) to capitalise on the warmest time of year. This is also the time when attractions are most crowded, however, so a better time to holiday in Glasgow would perhaps be spring and autumn, when the weather is still relatively dry and mild. Winters are best avoided as they are notoriously cold and wet, with occasional snow, and many attractions are closed.

Who for?  With its many art galleries, Victorian architecture and arty events calendar, a holiday in Glasgow is recommended for culture vultures. Music and football fans will also find plenty to satisfy their passions during a holiday in Glasgow.

More Info:  Before embarking on a holiday in Glasgow find out all there is to know about the city by consulting our full Glasgow travel guide, which is packed with lots of attractions and events, public transport and the weather tips, and all the information on Glasgow you could want.

Overview

During the past few decades Glasgow, the UK's fourth largest city, has re-invented itself from a rather economically depressed post-war industrial centre to a modern metropolis with a thriving art and culture scene, which has earned it accolades like the 'European City of Culture' title in 1990 and 'City of Architecture' in 1999.

In days of yore Glasgow depended on shipbuilding and engineering for its wealth; the city fell into decline in the mid-20th century with massive poverty and unemployment. Prosperity has returned however, riding on the back of 21st century technology, and it is now the hub of Scottish film, theatre, writing, music and design, capturing worldwide attention.

The city has more than 20 galleries and museums to complement the architectural heritage of architects like Alexander Thomson, renowned for his classical designs, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, master of Art Nouveau.

The youthful, progressive atmosphere of the reborn Glasgow is encouraged by its large student population, which is spawned by four universities and several colleges, and reflected in the numerous lively restaurants, pubs and attractive shopping precincts.

Tourists find plenty to see and do in Glasgow, and can also use it as a base to explore the surrounding countryside, boasting some of Scotland's most scenic mountains, glens, lochs and coastline.