Glasgow city guide

Scotland's biggest city has a blend of internationally acclaimed museums and galleries, stunning architecture, vibrant nightlife, fabulous shopping and multicultured dining.

With an arts scene that regularly produces cutting-edge productions and attracts high-profile exhibitions, Glasgow is a real business hub particularly with the Clyde Waterfront redevelopment.

Glasgow has impressive Victorian structures and the unique masterpieces of one of the city's most celebrated sons, architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh.  

Key facts

  • 175.5 square kilometers of land 
  • 588,280 population
  • Over 200 arts organisations

History

The city's origins are unclear. Traditionally, St Kentigern (also known as Mungo, c 518-c 603) is supposed to have founded a monastery beside the Molendinar burn. This became the seat of a bishopric, a place of pilgrimage and hence a settlement.

An alternative view concerns Govan, two miles downstream on the south side of the Clyde where ancient burials raise the possibility of an important royal centre which could have become an episcopal centre. The bishopric was then translated to the Molendinar site in the 11th or early 12th centuries when the cult of St Kentigern was being fostered.

Work in Glasgow

Glasgow has been transformed from an outstanding industrial hub to a diverse and vibrant business location. The city is home to 13,000 companies, including one quarter of Scotland's largest businesses.

Glasgow's economy has seen significant relative growth in key sectors such as

  • Financial and business services
  • Communications
  • Biosciences
  • Creative industries
  • Healthcare
  • Higher education
  • Retail
  • Tourism
  • Food and drink

A growing number of blue chip financial sector companies have established significant operations or headquarters in the city, such as Tesco Bank personal finance division, and Barclays investment banking and wealth management divisions. 

The city's main manufacturing industries include companies involved in shipbuilding, engineering, construction, brewing and distilling, printing and publishing, chemicals and textiles as well as newer growth sectors such as optoelectronics, software development and biotechnology.

Live in Glasgow

Glasgow and surrounds is a diverse and multicultural place to live. 

You can live in Glasgow city itself, which is the biggest city in Scotland, where you can experience some of  the best shops, restaurants, bars, entertainment and leisure facilities that Scotland has to offer. 

Within easy reach of the city are towns and villages where you can enjoy a quieter pace of life and the beauty of Scotland’s beaches and countryside.

Glasgow Housing Association is one of the largest social housing landlords in Europe.

There are other smaller housing associations which provide a range of housing options including shared ownership and adapted housing for those with special needs.

You can rent from private landlords too. The best way to find private housing in Glasgow is to register with a reputable estate or letting agent.

The type of housing varies from old Victorian tenement flats to sleek modern high rise, and from townhouses to cottages and bungalows.

Visit the Scottish Government website for more on social housing in Scotland

Many people in Scotland buy their home and average house prices in the Stathclyde region are

  • Glasgow City £130,000
  • Kilmarnock £108,000
  • Pailsey £118,000
  • Greenock £130,000
  • Clydebank £105,000

Prices will vary depending on location, size and type of property sought.

Visit the Registers of Scotland website for the latest house price information

Study in Glasgow

There are many outstanding education establishments in Glasgow with a wide provision of 300 primary and secondary schools, including

  • Private schools
  • Day schools
  • Dance school of Scotland — residential and day students
  • Faith schools
  • Gaelic language schools

Further and higher education is well provided for in Glasgow including several colleges as well as smaller learning centres. 

Visit the Scotland's Colleges website for a full list of colleges in Glasgow 

There a four universities within the Glasgow area

  • University of Glasgow
  • Strathclyde University
  • Caledonian University
  • University of the West of Scotland

Glasgow city is also home to

  • Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD)
  • Glasgow School of Art (GSA)

Sport and leisure

Sport and leisure opportunities in the area are varied.  Glasgow and surrounding areas of Scotland offers some of the finest sporting pursuits in the country including golf, boxing, cycling, fishing, football and many more. 

There are many leisure centres and facilities even in the smallest communities.

Glasgow will host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Most of the main towns in the region have spacious indoor retail shopping.

Glasgow has the famous Barrowland Market while farmers' markets selling fresh local produce can be found across the region. 

Children are well catered for with spacious parks and indoor entertainment centres. No matter what your age or interests you're sure to find something to enjoy in Glasgow and the surrounding areas.

Beyond the thrills of the city, Glasgow has miles of unspoilt  beaches countryside on its doorstep, providing the perfect escape for hard-working city-dwellers. 

Travelling to and from Glasgow

By rail

There's a widespread train network across the region operated by Scotrail. The two main rail stations in Glasgow city centre are Central Station and Queen St Station. 

By road

The M8 motorway connects Glasgow and Edinburgh, Scotland's two biggest cities in under 50 minutes, and the M74 leads towards England.

By air

Glasgow International Airport has direct flights to Europe, the Middle East and Americas.

More information

Read our guide to other cities and regions in Scotland to live and work (opens in a new window)