Top 10 Facts about the city of Glasgow in Scotland

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Top 10 Facts about the city of Glasgow in Scotland

Glasgow is located on the River Clyde in the Scottish Western Lowlands.

This is Scotland’s largest city and is subsequently famous for its art, architecture and culture.

The city has more than 20 museums and most of them do not charge an admission fee to members of the public.

There are three world-class universities in Glasgow making it a vibrant student city.

The city got its name from its green landscape, there are more than 90 public green spaces in the city.

This city is the third most populous city in the United Kingdom with a population of about 600,000 people.

The people of Glasgow are known as Glaswegians and they have a distinct dialect of the Scots language.

There is more to this beautiful Scottish city summarised in the top 10 facts below.    

1. Glasgow has strict alcohol law

This city has strict alcohol licensing laws on when and where the drink is served.

When travelling with children in a restaurant or café that serves alcohol, you will be served past 8 pm.

This makes it a conducive environment for children. The law also applies to liquor stores and markets where the sale of alcohol is prohibited past 10 pm.

Establishments that sell liquor close at midnight. There are designated places that allow you to enjoy your drink outdoors.

If you are caught drinking in public, you will be charged a fine. Most taverns have takeaway services aligning with the public drinking law.

2. A park in Glasgow has trees that have been here for more than 33 centuries

By Elliott Simpson – Wikimedia

Did you know that fossil Grove in Glasgow’s Victoria Park has trees that are twice as old as dinosaurs?

There are at least eleven extinct petrified trees that date back to 330 million years. During this time, Glasgow’s climate was warm and humid.

These trees were discovered in 1887 and have roots of eleven extinct Lepidodendron trees.

The trees are sometimes labelled as giant club mosses. 

It has been a popular tourist attraction since it was opened for public viewing in 1890. The Fossil Grove is managed as a museum.

3. Fishing was a common economic activity in the past

Before the city of Glasgow was established, the main economic activity along the River Clyde was fishing.

When the Romans occupied the land, they constructed the Antonine wall to separate Roman Britannia from Celtic and Pictish Caledonia.

The remains of the wall like Balmuildly can be found at the Hunterian Museum today.

Later on, Glasgow developed and was exporting coal, wool clothes and herring to the rest of Europe.

They traded with America importing tobacco, sugar, and rum.

4. Kentigern, Mungo, greatly contributed to the development of Glasgow

Glasgow rapidly started to develop at about 550 A.D. this was after the arrival of St. Kentigern also known as Mungo, who established a religious community.

The Glasgow Cathedral is dedicated to him. It was founded in the 12^th century and was built on the site of the old chapel.

In 1180, William I declared Glasgow a burgh of barony which led to it getting the rights to hold annual fairs.

Soon after the first bridge stone was built, then Glasgow became a royal burg and the university o Glasgow was established in 1451.

The city succeeded in becoming a market centre because of its strategic location.

5. The Glasgow Cathedral is one of the complete medieval churches

By Elliott Simpson – Wikimedia

There is no separating the history of the cathedral to that of the city.

The cathedral is located where Saint Mungo, who is the patron Saint of Glasgow, built his church.

Saint Mungo’s tomb is located in the lower crypt of the cathedral.

Glasgow Cathedral was built in the late 12th century and served as the seat of the Bishop and later the Archbishop of Glasgow.

The cathedral is the perfect display of Scottish Gothic architecture. It is one of the few remaining medieval churches in Scotland.

This makes it the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow.

6. Glasgow has the 3^rd oldest underground railway system

Glasgow’s underground railway system is the 3rd oldest underground railway system in the world.

It is often called Clockwork Orange because of its colour. This rail is a medium-capacity rail system and is 3.1 miles long.

The station became operational in 1896 becoming the third after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro.

It is also one of the few railways with a track running gauge of 4 feet.

The subway was later electrified after being a cable railway for a long time.

It was also renamed from Glasgow District Subway to the current Glasgow Subway Railway.

7. Glasgow has many museums and art galleries

By Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin – Wikimedia

This city boasts of more than 20 museums and art galleries making it the largest art collection in Europe.

The museums showcase artworks from famous artists such as Dali, Van Gogh, Degas and Monet.

One unique thing about these museums and galleries is that they do not charge entrance fees.

Some of the most popular museums are The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It reopened in 2006 after a three-year refurbishment.

The museum has 22 galleries, with a range of exhibits, including Renaissance art, taxidermy, and artefacts from ancient Egypt.

Another one is the Riverside Museum located at Pointhouse Quay in the Glasgow Harbour.

The building opened in June 2011 and won the 2013 European Museum of the Year Award.

8. This Scottish city is the most visited

Glasgow is the fifth most visited city in the United Kingdom.

The city is known for the Glasgow patter, their distinct dialect that is difficult to understand.

Glasgow also boasts of being one of the cleanest, most beautiful and well-planned cities in the world.

There are more than 20 top financial centres in this city making it the leader in business in Scotland.

9. The first international football match was played in Glasgow

 Glasgow’s Hampden Park is the home ground of Scotland’s national football team.

Two of the world’s most renowned football teams, Celtic and Rangers, call this city home.

The city also hosted the first international association football game in 1872.

This match was played at the West of Scotland Cricket ground and was between Scotland and England; and it was a draw, 0-0.

10. The Glasgow tower holds a Guinness record

By Chrisssycollins – Wikimedia

The Glasgow Tower is a free-standing tower located on the south bank of the River Clyde.

It forms part of the Glasgow Science Centre complex.

This tower holds a Guinness World Record for being the tallest fully rotating freestanding structure in the world.

The whole tower is capable of rotating at 360 degrees. It has two lifts each with a 12-person capacity plus a single staff member.