Glasgow feels like another world compared to Edinburgh, but it’s just a short hour train ride from our flat. It’s the grittier, younger (as in Industrial Revolution versus Edi’s medieval), bigger, less expensive (yahoo!), rainier (I know), but warmer (usually — it’s all relative) and flatter city. It has the majestic River Clyde running through its heart and delicious food on almost every corner. Matt and I were just there for the weekend but are smitten, so if you have 48 hours in Glasgow, this is what we recommend:
1) Do something arty. There are museums, galleries and house tours galore. Might I suggest House for an Art Lover, designed by Charles Renne Mackintosh in 1901. At £4.50 — that includes the audio tour — it’s a steal-of-a-deal. Yes, audio tour. We are wild and crazy when we city hop.
2) Take a wee stroll through the city and hit up some of the beautiful parks. We went through Kelvingrove to get to Byres Road — home to all things delicious.
3) Shopping. Since moving to Scotland I’ve put the kabash on my spending habits, but I’ve been saving my pennies (pences?) for a trip to Cos. Glasgow seems to have at least twice the number of high street shops that Edinburgh does.
4) Riding the subway! Edinburgh’s bus system is brilliant, but I miss subterranean public transport. Glasgow’s is like a mini London tube — it just runs in a circle (you can’t make a mistake regardless of where you want to go) and is known as Clockwork Orange (it’s round and its branding is orange).
5) Eat delicious food! Our new favorite restaurant? Hanoi Bike Shop (yup, it’s a restaurant). The most delicious Vietnamese food I’ve ever had. We loved it so much we had dinner and brunch there (15 hours apart).
——
Cath,
I can’t believe you’ve never been to Glasgow! I think you would love it because it feels like Edi is to Washington as Glasgow is to New York — and you loves New York! People are also much friendlier (again — fits the analogy!) and warmer — it made me miss the ATL. Strangers never come up to you in Edinburgh, but in Glasgow we had people start conversations with us in elevators (gasp!), at restaurants, on the street! We have been so Edinburghified we both just kind of blinked at people.
Next time you are in Scotland, we’ll go together okay? Save your pences for Cos! Do you see the boots in the pic? They are heavenly!
Miss you terribly terribly mucho.
Your Banh Mi-ified Sis,
Lar
I can’t believe I’ve never been to Glasgow either!!! We should have done a day trip when I was in Edinburgh last August, but with the festival and everything I didn’t even think to.
The photos of the House for Art Lovers make the place look so magical. I love it! And I’m so jealous you got to go to Cos! I go to the Cos website a lot and drool over the items. I want those boots you got! What other shops are on the Glasgow High Street?
PS: I am now craving Vietnamese now! Nom nom nom.
love you! Cath
Yes, next trip: Glasgow! We will have to investigate the high streetiness together because we didn’t shop much (you know Matt — he begged me too, but I said “Matt, no, we must explore other aspects of the city” 😉 ha!). We will definitely go to Cos.
xoxoxoxoxo, Lar
glasgow looks amazing!!!
It is, Diane! You would love it!
I’m an Atlanta-based reader! Love the blog. Question: where did you get the shoes in your picture from the shopping trip? and how do you limit your spending? Is it that you’re less tempted, it’s just way too expensive, or what? I don’t get a sense of what the time frame is on your residence in Scotland either, are you planning to be there for quite a while or is it limited?
Hi Amy!
Thanks so much for reading and leaving a comment!
So those shoes (thanks for noticing!) are actually from Cos! They are the one item I bought on our trip to Glasgow. I’d been on the prowl for a good pair of Chelsea boots and the Cos ones are extremely well-made and comfy — I’ve been wearing them all week.
I started limiting my spending about a year ago for ethical reasons. I was reading more and more about the unethical labor practices of most high street (and beyond) stores and about the massive amounts of waste on consumerism breeds. Both of these things have helped me really limit my spending. I love having a bit of a browse around high street (mall stores) but I rarely by things and when I do I make sure they are well made (and hopefully ethically so) and they’ll last a long while (like the Cos boots). I do the majority of my shopping at charity shops now too — a smidge more ethical and I’m not adding to turn-over of new trends/clothes.
We’ve been in Scotland for about a year and half now and will be here at least another year. While we’re here we like to save our money for travel, so that helps me rein in my spending on clothes as well.
Thanks for all the questions, Amy!
We were in Glasgow and Edi last summer and I just loved both of them for different reasons. we did the CRM house and it was just FAB! The sparse modern beauty of his design is so opposite to my usual preferences but it was gorgeous, nonetheless. And everyone was just so gritty and friendly, like you said. I’m so jealous you were there and you make me want to go again!! xo
Hi Maggie!
I totes agree with you about the CRM look — it’s not what I would want to live with, but it’s gorgeous!
I wish you could be back here too! So glad you got to experience both cities though!
xoxoxox,
Lar
Jealous. So jealous. Have I mentioned jealous. 😉 Glad you’re getting to see so much while you’re out there. can’t believe it’s been 1.5 years already. Time flies!!!
Gosh, you’re making me pine for my motherland! Everyone else in my immediate family has been to Scotland, except for me. Sigh, maybe one day.
~F
Love the boots Lar! you are really whetting my appetite for Scotland and all its wonders. I need to make the trip up North and check it out! And like some others have said-can’t believe you guys have been there a year and a half already. geez!