Glasgow, the largest city in Scotland, is located in the west-central part of the country along both banks of the River Clyde. It is situated 20 miles (32 km) from the river's mouth on the western or Atlantic coast. This vibrant city is brimming with history, culture, art, shopping and entertainment, making it a popular destination for visitors. The Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley region is home to Scotland's largest and most dynamic city and offers plenty to explore, from its important heritage to its stunning landscapes. The city of Glasgow has hosted numerous exhibitions over the years, such as the Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988 and being named the City of Architecture of the United Kingdom in 1999. It was also designated European Capital of Culture in 1990, National City of Sport 1995—1999 and European Capital of Sport in 2003. The Glasgow City Hall area, Rutherglen area in South Lanarkshire and a small eastern part of Renfrewshire make up the electoral area for the Scottish Parliament. At the end of the 20th century, Glasgow became a center for political activism against the electoral tax which was introduced in Scotland a year before the rest of the United Kingdom.
It was also the main base of the Scottish Socialist Party, another left-wing political party in Scotland. The Clyde Valley is located on the west coast of Scotland, in Ayrshire and Arran. It is characterized by its varied coastlines, picturesque islands and pristine beaches. Music lovers can enjoy their favorite performances at world-class venues such as the SSE Hydro, Glasgow Barrowlands and O2 Academy. Glasgow's economy was once largely based in Springburn where the Saracen foundry, engineering works by firms such as Charles Tennant and locomotive workshops employed many residents. The city also has many green spaces including ornate greenhouses at its Botanic Garden.
The city was founded by St Mungo who established a church in the Molendinar burn where Glasgow Cathedral now stands. This made Glasgow an important religious center. The University of Glasgow's main building by Sir George Gilbert Scott (the second largest Neo-Gothic building in Great Britain) is an iconic landmark that can be seen for miles around. All international airports can be easily accessed from Glasgow via public transport. The GLA and EDI are directly connected by bus routes from the main bus station and there is a direct rail connection to PIK from Glasgow Central Station. The city council has invested in new leisure centers such as Tollcross, Springburn, Gorbals, Scotstoun and Bellahouston to replace many of its Victorian and Edwardian municipal swimming pools that have been closed or demolished. Glasgow has festivals throughout the year unlike Edinburgh which holds all its major festivals during the last three weeks of August.
The official data series from the Meteorological Office dates back to 1959 and shows that there have only been a few warm summers in Glasgow compared to other parts of Great Britain and Eastern Europe. If you're deciding between Edinburgh or Glasgow for your next trip, Edinburgh offers a more picturesque experience with a more “compact” city to explore. On the other hand, Glasgow offers world-class venues for music lovers as well as plenty of green spaces. The former headquarters of Pacific Quay docks on the south bank of River Clyde opposite SECC houses Glasgow Science Centre and headquarters of BBC Scotland and STV Group (owner of STV). This new digital media campus was built especially for this purpose.