Hot on the heels of a momentous 2014, which saw Glasgow host the “most successful Commonwealth Games in history”, 2015 is set to be another stellar year.  

Highlights include:

• Glasgow’s Green Year 2015: a programme of events, activities and projects aimed at getting local people, visitors and young people involved in sustainability. The city – whose name means ‘Dear Green Place’ in Gaelic – is home to over 90 stunning green spaces, more per head than any other city in Europe.  
• Glasgow has a rich and exciting culinary story and has recently been recognised by Yelp reviewers as the best city for restaurants outside London.  And when better to explore Glasgow’s foodie scene than 2015, ‘Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink’?  From stunning artisan produce such as local honey and aromatic coffee roasted in the city centre, to perennial classics such as Tunnock’s teacakes made famous by the Games opening ceremony, to a host of ground-breaking new restaurants, Glasgow is truly a food-lover’s paradise.  
• With the greatest concentration of creative industries in the UK outside London, Glasgow’s world-leading cultural life is constantly evolving.  The city’s reputation for cutting-edge art will be recognised by the hosting of the internationally renowned Turner Prize from October 2015 to January 2016.  The coveted prize will be presented in December at Tramway, marking the first time the exhibition and award has been in Scotland.  Glaswegian Duncan Campbell won the prize in 2014 and 18 past Turner Prize winners and nominees have hailed from, trained in, or worked out of Glasgow, resulting in the phrase ‘The Glasgow Miracle’.
• As a UNESCO City of Music (one of just five in the world), Glasgow is a hotbed of musical creativity across all genres.  In any one week, music lovers can enjoy over 130 different music events in Glasgow.  The 12,000 seater SSE Hydro Arena, which has hosted some of the world’s leading music acts since opening in September 2013, has recently ranked 2nd in Pollstar’s ‘Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues’. Adding to Glasgow’s sparkling music credentials, the prestigious MOBO Awards will be returning to the city in October 2015.
• Some of Britain’s greatest young fashion designers, including Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders and Deryck Walker, hail from Glasgow.  This fashionable city is the UK’s largest and most successful shopping destination outside London’s west end, with over 1,500 shops.
• With all this plus the famously warm and witty Glaswegian personality, it’s no wonder Glasgow was last year voted the ‘world’s friendliest city’ by Rough Guides’ global community.

A City of Culture

Twenty-five years after being awarded European City of Culture, Glasgow is world famous as a creative hub and trail-blazer in design, music and contemporary art.  It is home to more than 100 cultural organisations, including Scotland’s national companies, Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Glasgow is renowned for its outstanding architectural heritage, which dates back to the 12th century.  Landmark architectural buildings include the iconic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, voted one of TripAdvisor’s Top Ten UK Museums; and the Zaha Hadid-designed Riverside Transport Museum – 2013 European Museum of the Year.

The city is proud to have Europe’s largest civic arts collection – valued at £1.8bn – with works by Dali, Van Gogh, Degas and Monet all available to view completely free of charge.  One of the city’s most celebrated collections is The Burrell Collection, home to over 9,000 objects collected by shipping magnate Sir William Burrell, which will tour internationally from 2016.

The city is also pivotal in the contemporary art scene with young creatives working out of innovative arts spaces such as the Whisky Bond, the Glue Factory, The Briggait, SWG3 and the South Block.  

A gem in Glasgow’s cultural crown is the illustrious Glasgow School of Art, whose seemingly never-ending list of famous alumni include Bombas and Parr, Douglas Gordon, David Shrigley, Peter Capaldi, Jenny Saville, Pam Hogg, Fran Healy, among many others.

One of Glasgow’s cultural calendar highlights is the Merchant City Festival which will be extended to 11 days this July for the first time.  Glasgow’s cultural quarter will come to life with live music, art, dance, theatre and street performances.  A stand-out exhibition this year will be Nomanslanding (13 July –2nd August). The major public artwork and European premiere tells the stories of our waterways in times of war and was designed specifically for the River Clyde. It will allow the audience to walk across a water body and experience a performance in a floating dome in the middle of the river.

Year of Food Drink 2015

From fine dining and fusion, street food and Scottish, Indian to Italian, Glasgow has a rich and diverse culinary story.  And never has there been a better time to celebrate it than Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink, a year-long campaign celebrating Scotland’s natural larder.

Glasgow is home to creative chefs and suppliers who are working with local produce to create innovative, high quality food and drink in the heart of the city.  Chefs at Cail Bruich, Stravaigin and The Ubiquitous Chip are all fans of foraging, sourcing herbs and ingredients from nature’s very own kitchen, including the Botanic Gardens.  And artisan products abound, from delicious honey from Ed’s Bees, aromatic coffee roasted in the city centre by Dear Green Coffee and Gordon St Coffee, to independents such as George Mewes Cheese and Cottonrake Bakery.

And Glasgow’s restaurant scene is buzzing. New eateries Ox Finch and The Gannet have both been awarded the prestigious Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide to Great Britain 2015, and Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart opened his fine dining restaurant, The Honours, in November 2014.  A number of new establishments are also embracing Glasgow’s rich history.  The Anchorline was the original booking office for Anchorline Cruise Ships which ran regular trips across the pond to New York, and Hutchesons in the Merchant City is an iconic Grade A-listed architectural gem.

The beverage world is also seeing exciting developments. Craft brewery Drygate opened last year with bottle designs by Glasgow School of Art artists and Friday comedy nights by the Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Other local breweries include the iconic Tennent’s and West Brewery who describes its ethos as ‘Glaswegian Heart, German Head’. The classic whisky dram can be enjoyed at Glengoyne and Auchentoshan distilleries, while gin has now also been given a Glasgow twist.  Makar Glasgow Gin – named after the Scots word for poet, is a new premium handcrafted gin produced in the heart of the city. And coming up in 2015, a £10m Glasgow Distillery and Visitor Centre will open on the banks of the River Clyde, hosting an interactive experience and retail outlet.

Green Glasgow

Glasgow is known the world over for its vibrant arts and culture scene, stunning architecture and world class shopping.  What is less well known is that the Gaelic translation of Glasgow, Ghlaschu, is ‘Dear Green Place’ – a fitting name for a city with over 90 parks and formal gardens – has more green spaces per head than any other European city.  Indeed in 2014, eight of the city’s larger parks won the coveted Green Flag Award – the benchmark standard for UK parks.

And this year Glasgow celebrates the Year of Green, a programme of events, activities and projects aimed at getting local people, businesses, visitors and young people involved in sustainability. From outdoors to indoors to overnight stays, film showings, festivals, local projects and competitions – there are a range of different events for everyone to enjoy.  Green themes will also run through many of the city’s key events such as the Aye Write Literary Festival, Glasgow Science Festival and the Merchant City Festival.  For further information on events visit www.greenglasgow.com or download the app from iTunes.

Green tourists are in the right place for getting around.  Walkers can learn more about the history of the city as you discover some of its hidden gems with the Glasgow Walking app.  Cycling around Glasgow is a quick, easy and fun way to get see the city.  Nextbike Glasgow has 170 bikes for hire in 31 locations, available 24/7. You can rent a bike via nextbike’s Android/iPhone App, by the on-bike computer, or by phoning +44 (0)20 816 69851. Rental starts at £1 for the first 30 minutes.  

Visitors can also enjoy a ‘Dear Green Place’ tour around such idyllic spaces as Zen Gardens, the Necopolis and Glasgow Green.  Please visit www.merchantcityglasgow.com

And just a short trip outside of the city, the Campsie Fells and Loch Lomond area offer a host of stunning countryside walks with opportunities to spot wildlife, take a boat tour and even try your hand at a section of the famous West Highland Way.

Glasgow’s Most Famous Son

Barcelona has Gaudí, Chicago has Frank Lloyd Wright, and Glasgow has the Art Nouveau magic of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh’s innovative and influential style can be seen throughout the city at buildings such as The Willow Tea Rooms, Scotland Street School Musuem, House for an Art Lover and Mackintosh Queen’s Cross Church, among others. It is testament to Mackintosh’s timeless appeal that he has recently been recognised by Hollywood star Brad Pitt who named him as a major influence on his first furniture collection.

Following a fire in 2014 one of Mackintosh’s most famous buildings, The Glasgow School of Art is seeking an architect-led design team to lead the restoration of the world famous Mackintosh Building which will be restored to all its glory. Meanwhile the school continues to run its award-winning tour programme, which now includes the new Reid Building designed by the innovative New York based firm, Steven Holl Architects, and two city walking tours – the ‘Glasgow Style’ and ‘Glasgow Miracle’ tours.

The Creative Mackintosh Festival will run in October 2015. This annual festival celebrating the life and works of Glasgow architect, artist and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh takes place in Mackintosh venues and other Glasgow locations and includes exhibitions, tours, talks and drama performances.

The Mackintosh Trail is the perfect way to enjoy the works of Glasgow’s most revered architect.  For only £16 the one-day ticket allows visitors unlimited travel on SPR Subway, First Bus services and includes entry to all participating Mackintosh attractions. Find out more here.
 

Cool Quarters

Much like New York, away from Glasgow’s city centre, nestle a number of vibrant neighbourhoods off the beaten track where visitors can live like a local:

• Recently voted ‘Best Neighbourhood in UK Ireland’ by the Academy of Urbanism, ultimate hipster hang-out, Glasgow’s West End, with its exquisite sandstone villas and leafy avenues is the perfect place to people-watch.  Explore the stunning Gothic university buildings, walk through Kelvingrove Park, shop on Byres Road and round off with a cocktail in one of the charming bars on fairy-lit Ashton Lane.
• Emerging cool quarter, Finnieston is being touted as the “new West End” – buzzing with bars, restaurants and independent shops.  Highlights include new openings The Gannet and Old Salty’s, seafood restaurant The Crabshakk, cocktail bar The Kelvingrove Cafe, and The Ben Nevis whisky bar housing one of the finest selections of the ‘water of life’ in the city.
• Tucked away just behind the city centre, is the Merchant City, one of the oldest quarters of Glasgow.  It was once the home to the city’s wealthy merchants during the city’s trading heyday and as such has some of Glasgow’s most stunning architecture.  Now it has some of the city’s finest boutiques, and fascinating places to visit, such as the Panopticon Music Hall where Stan Laurel debuted as a young man.  Take one of the cultural tours around the Merchant City area, from a Public Art Trail to a guide to Glasgow Bridges.
• Trongate area – behind the hustle and bustle of Argyle Street, discover independent artist galleries, vintage clothes shops, and cafes where the city’s creative community can be found hanging out or browsing the book and record collections.
• Glasgow’s Southside is home to two of Mackintosh’s most famous buildings, Scotland Street School Museum and House for an Art Lover, plus Tramway – the Scottish Ballet’s home and host venue for the 2015 Turner Prize.  You’ll also find Glasgow’s biggest green space, Pollok Country Park, wherein nestles The Burrell Collection and Glasgow’s very own Downton Abbey, Pollock House.  The tree-lined conservation area, Strathbungo (or simply ‘the Bungo’ as it’s known to locals) is the place to go for a bite to eat, with a rapidly growing cluster of delightful restaurants, bars and cafes.

GTown moving to its own beat

Glasgow – or GTown as it’s known amongst the urban music scene – has been dubbed by Time Magazine “Europe’s Secret Capital of Music”.  The UNESCO City of Music stages an average of 130 music events in the city every week generating an estimated £75m to the city’s economy each year.

Glasgow’s legendary music scene stretches across the spectrum from urban and hip-hop to classical and celtic. The city has an enviable reputation for launching musicians across all genres.  Bands hailing from – or starting their careers in – the city include Belle Sebastian, Franz Ferdinand, the Fratellis, Snow Patrol, Travis, Teenage Fanclub, Texas and Glasvegas.  Its venues are equally varied including King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (consistently voted the top live music venue in the UK), the Barrowland, O2 Academy, the SECC, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, City Halls and The Old Fruitmarket.  

New research has revealed that with a quarter of Brits thinking they can spot the next big thing, Glasgow is the top city to discover new talent.  The survey finds that the city has more top ten venues than anywhere else in the UK – including King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, The Arches and Barrowlands.  A new online guide – peoplemakeglasgow.com/musicmustdos – shows visitors the best places in the UNESCO City of Music to complete this ‘music bucket list’ – with everything from tips on where to meet your musical idol to blagging a backstage pass.

The Walking Heads Glasgow Music Tour App allows music fans to explore Glasgow’s musical heritage. The free app covers over 3 miles, 24 venues and at least 200 years of music history.  For more information visit www.walkingheads.net

C’est Chic

With over 1,500 shops to choose from, Glasgow is the largest and most successful shopping destination outside London’s West End, making it a mecca for style mavens.  From cool vintage shops to independent boutiques to exclusive designers, the city is home to every fashion thrill.  

The biggest brands and major retailers can be found in the city’s ‘style mile’, a fashion follower’s paradise.  The Merchant City area is home to high end international designers such as Agent Provocateur, Ralph Lauren, Burberry, Cruise Mulberry, while the West End area contains quirky boutiques such as Felix and Oscar, stylish homewares Galletly Tubbs and bespoke jewellery Nancy Smillie. Glasgow also has a great vintage clothing scene with highlight stores including Mr Ben, Tatty Bon and Merchant City’s We Love To Boogie.

Getting away from it all

Glasgow is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant cities. Yet in just half an hour visitors can be relaxing with a dram in hand, surrounded by some of the most breath-taking nature Scotland has to offer.

• For pure, unadulterated glamour, take a champagne seaplane flight (or a half hour drive) out to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, and watch the magic of the Scottish Highlands unfold before you. Enjoy an overnight stay at luxury spa hotel resort, Cameron House, or stay at one of the charming lodges in the area.
• Explore The Trossachs National Park. Walk part of the famous West Highland Way, spot deer and red squirrel, enjoy a boat trip across the Loch Lomond, and dine on sublime local seafood and Scottish ales.
• Blend your own personalised whisky at family-owned whisky distillery, Glengoyne. A picture postcard distillery situated in a wooded valley in the southern Highlands of Scotland, this distillery has been producing whisky for nearly 200 years. Try their chocolate and whisky tasting tour in conjunction with Glasgow chocolatier Nucoco.
• With 94 golf courses in the Greater Glasgow area, Glasgow is the perfect base for a golfing break. Turnberry’s iconic Ailsa has enjoyed its position as an Open Championship course four times over, The Carrick on Loch Lomond has some of the most stunning views of any course, and the Ryder Cup 2014 host course, Gleneagles, is just 50 miles away.

Somewhere to lay your head

Whatever brings people to Glasgow, be it a festival, a weekend culture break or a world class sporting event, the city is prepared to welcome them. There are 9,104 hotel rooms within 10 miles of the city ranging from five-star spa hotels to trendy boutiques. New developments for 2015 include De Vere Village Urban Resort, Apex Hotels, Melia, Ibis Styles, Motel One and Hampton Inn by Hilton.

Win a city break to Glasgow!

The prize includes a 2-night stay at the four-star Carlton George Hotel, return ferry with PO Ferries and Mackintosh Trail Tickets: a passport to attractions such as House for an Art Lover and The Lighthouse. Enter now!