Glasgow is not a city typically on the tourist track.  It doesn’t have glorious beaches, consistent sunshine or a reputation for easy to experience culture.  

That’s why I went there.  I like the odd ball experiences, the places that the major tour companies tend not to go to and, well, places where the locals ask “what are you doing here?”

It is an intriguing city, once the second largest in Europe.  Perched on the banks  of the River Clyde, it was part of a major transportation route and at one time had 160 plus ship building manufacturers.  Glasgow is  now clawing its way back from falling from that peak in the late 1800s.  

In the 21st century,  It is a city waiting to be uncovered.  

I have several overall impressions and one of them is that the art and architecture is much more interesting and well, quirky,  that you might think.  I also noticed a funny sense of humor that I’m going to focus on in my next blog post. But, first let’s look at the art that I experienced.  

First stop, the major museum in the area. Kelvingrove Art Galley and Museum.  It’s a huge old building in what is called Glasgow style from the Victorian era. Admission is free. 

I made my way into the red sandstone building and all the security and covid checks (I was there in March) and immediately saw a huge space with heads hanging from the ceiling.  I was drawn into the space, of course.   I saw an intriguing  combination of old or historic  busts in showcases on the floor and then the compelling collection of heads hanging from the ceiling.  

I went on to the gallery for Charles Rennie McIntosh—a  Scottish architect always mentioned in Architectural history books.  I will dedicate a blog post to him  and his work in Glasgow. 

Moving around this part of the museum  I learned about the Glasgow Boys, a bit sexist but “it is what it is.”  The Glasgow Boys were a circle of influential modern artists and designers working in Glasgow in the late 19th century .  There was also a terrific exhibit on understanding art with intriguing questions to stimulate thinking. 

While I was enjoying all this, I noticed families with young children meandering.  “Hmmm,” I thought.  “How terrific that these families are exposing their children to an art museum at such a young age?”  

Well, I soon learned that this wasn’t just an Art Museum, but am encyclopedic museum filled with the wildest accumulation of exhibits or departments you can imagine.  Many would be of interest to small children.  

 The departments and displays include wild life, transportation, Glasgow city history, Ancient Egypt, weapons, armor and more.  You name it and they seemed to have it.  

There’s a gorgeous organ in the massive entry hall where frequent concerts are given.  When I sent a video of a concert to a friend who would appreciate the organ music, she wrote back assuming I was in a church.  It felt like one. 

In the art realm, a work by Salvador Dali called Christ of St. John of the Cross caught my eye.  Evidently there was a huge controversy when it was purchased in 1951, but it has turned out to be a huge draw.  

Outside in Glasgow, the city is filled with murals.  I took a walking tour of some of them.  It seemed to me like there were more than normal in a big city but hard to know.  

I didn’t get to commercial art galleries on my three day visit but will if I ever go back. I enjoyed the range of architure styles from very old to super modern. 

Top of the list to see is the University of Glasgow established in 1200.  It has some of the oldest and most beautiful, magical architecture you can image. I sat on a bench enjoying it from the middle of the cloisters, imaging Harry Potter strolling by.  

And then there were modern glass buildings.  The kind that relate interesting reflections.  

But I really enjoyed the Museum of Transport’s  zig zag roof line. 

Most unusual was a church turned into a special event space.  The wedding tradition continues in this building.  Historically you got married here.  Now it is a venue for the celebrations.  

I personally loved this Art Deco style building and what I could see of its lobby through the window.  I could live there.  

Come back to DesignDestinations.org for more about Glasgow.  Also do look at the two blog posts I have done about my week in the Highlands.  That was a glorious time.  

Scottish  Highlands 

Bonny Bogs of Scotland