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No doubt you are familiar with Glasgow’s not so shiny reputation. Usually when I take a taxi in York, there is an inquest into my city of origin, followed by a quip about the accent, the Glasgow culture or the apparent lack of. Deep fried Mars Bars, street gangs, knife crime, sectarian violence, unemployment, drug problems; the inquest digs deeper and deeper. However, the exaggerated ‘Trainspotting-esque’ vision of Glasgow is only one side of the coin.
Glasgow has so much to offer. The famous ‘Glasgow patter’, the thriving music scene, the award winning architecture, the bohemian West End, the best shopping outside of London, the art galleries, the theatres, the clubs, the pubs; Glasgow will welcome, impress and party-on alongside you.
The exaggerated ‘Trainspotting-esque’ vision of Glasgow is only one side of the coin.
The city has produced bands such as Travis, Franz Ferdinand, Belle & Sebastian, Simple Minds, Texas, Idlewild and Glasvegas, to name a few. The Times magazine compared it to Detroit during its 1960s Motown heyday. It is home to the famous King Tuts Wah Wah Hut where Oasis were spotted.
Glaswegians love to party, and party they will! Home to some of the best clubbing in the UK, whether you seek a solid 3am finish or a sophisticated cocktail, there are trendy bars and alternative clubs sprinkled on every street in the city centre. With the second biggest student population in the UK (168,000 students) Glasgow offers cheap club nights catering for all tastes. Converted cinemas, warehouses, churches; you name it, Glasgow’s done it.
There is a festival for every season, a shop for every style, a café for every cake, a park for any stroll and galleries and concerts of every genre.
Festivals in Glasgow include the Glasgow Comedy Festival, the Glasgow Jazz Festival, Celtic Connections, Glasgow Film Festival, Glasgay, West End Festival and the World Pipe Band Championship. Impressive.
Home to the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the Scottish Ballet and the Scottish Opera, Glasgow can hardly be slated for its ‘lack of culture’. Glasgow won the UK City of Architecture 1999, the European Capital of Culture 1990 and the National City of Sport 2003. It is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014. On the whole, Glasgow isn’t looking too bleak.
Glasgow is also an increasingly multi-ethnic, multi-faith community: Glasgow opened St Mungo’s Museum of Religious Life and Art in 1993, which is the only multi-faith museum in the world.
It is the people that generate the warm buzz that is suffused through the fabric of the city. The dry humour, undistinguishable accent, the empathetic character of Glasgow people will surprise and embrace the unsuspecting visitor. Glaswegians see both sides of the coin. In a city with so many divides, the dwellers befriend all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds absorbing all kinds of experiences. It is a city of passion, and of character.
If I was to list every reason to visit Glasgow I would begin to bore. Like every big city, it has its fair share of problems. However, it is time the rest of the world stopped stereotyping and discriminating. Glasgow has soul and will refuse to remain hidden under the dark cloud that the British public project over it.
Visit Glasgow. Its portrayal by many as a city of fear and gloom is inaccurate. Instead, you will find depth, culture and warmth in a city so commonly referred to as the ‘mean city’. Just be careful, if somebody invites you to a ‘Glasgow Kiss’, beware! Far from being the French type, it is a headbutt!
I love Glasgow, and as the motto goes, ‘Let Glasgow Flourish’.
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