A CULTURAL FEAST

Today's Glasgow is letting the world know about its striking architecture, heritage and culture, building on the success of a string of culturally orientated visitor attractions as well as accolades like Cultural Capital of Europe in 1990 and UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999. Typical of the city's attractions is the Gallery of Modern Art. Housed in a handsome neoclassical building in the city centre, the gallery displays some fine examples of Scottish figurative art, though there is also an eclectic collection from all parts of the world. The material on each floor reflects one of the four elements of fire, air, earth or water and there are also a number of interactive exhibits.

The Burrell Collection, with its collection of textiles, furniture, ceramics and other objets d'art, is also typical of the city's cultural wealth. The Art Gallery and Museum in Kelvingrove Park is one of Europe's finest civic art collections. Opposite is the Museum of Transport, with re-constructions of a typical Glasgow street of the 1930's. Also nearby is the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, where the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh is well represented. The Mackintosh House within the gallery comprises an accurate reconstruction of the interiors of one of his former homes. To the east of the city centre, located next to Glasgow Cathedral, is the stimulating St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art, presenting the universal themes of life, death and the hereafter through evocative art associated with different religious faiths.

Glasgow is the headquarters of many artistic companies, including Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, all of which have regular concert programmes in custom-built halls, most notably the prestigious Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Britain's largest community festival, Mayfest, is held each May and encompasses a whole range of visual and performing arts.

THE LOCAL ANGLE

Glasgow's culture is far more than high art. It embraces the heritage of the ordinary citizen at places like The Tenement House, where a typical city dwelling of the recent past is open to view. It also includes the People's Palace, where the social history of Glasgow is told. Outside the city, the Paisley Museum and Art Gallery portrays the development of the famous and distinctive Paisley shawl, while the McLean Museum in Greenock also focuses on social history.

A little further afield, New Lanark is just one of a whole range of fascinating visitor attractions easily accessible off the main artery of the A74 / M74. Close to the town of Lanark, the River Clyde flows through a wooded rocky gorge, famed for its outstanding beauty. The river here formerly powered textile mills in a development controlled by the enlightened industrialist Robert Owen. The doctrine of Owenism, with its Utopian ideas of workers' welfare, later became famous the world over and the New Lanark Visitor Centre tells the story.

THE RIVER CLYDE

Close to the upper reaches of this winding river, the handsome town of Biggar has a wealth of award-winning museums. Chatelherault, minutes from the main M74 near Hamilton is well worth discovering. The former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Hamilton and built by the famous Scottish architect William Adam in 1732, has been restored and now houses a fascinating visitor centre. The Carfin Pilgrimage Centre, which stands in the grounds of the Carfin Grotto, traces the history, traditions and motivations of pilgrimage, focusing particularly on pilgrimage in Scotland.

West of Glasgow, where the Clyde opens out in an ever widening estuary is Inverclyde, overlooking popular cruising waters with a backdrop of the hills of Argyll. Among its many attractions is the Clyde Muirshiel Country Park, with its moor and woodland scenery. With dramatic ruined castles, industrial heritage, country parks and also the Hamilton Mausoleum (boasting Europe's longest echo at 22 seconds), the River Clyde valley has much to offer.

SHOPPING

Naturally, a major city such as Glasgow offers a very wide choice of shopping options, notably around Buchanan Street, Argyle Street or Sauchiehall Street. In addition, while the St Enoch Centre represents the modern trend in covered shopping and is one of the largest malls in Europe, Princes Square adds an elite note, with a sophisticated ambience appropriate for a style-conscious city.

The area known as Merchant City, which recalls the entrepreneurs who traded with the Americas is the 18th and 19th centuries, is now a district of small, select shops. Notable here is the Italian Centre, a concentration of Italian fashion designer shops in a conversion of a handsome Merchant City building. By contrast, The Barras near Glasgow Green is part flea market, part entertainment and very much an integral part of Glasgow Life.

NIGHTLIFE

Glasgow is famous for its variety of pubs, wine bars and other places of much conviviality, where visitors will find Glasgow hospitality at its best. Many of the city's pubs offer live entertainment in the form of folk or jazz. From wholesome pub food to more exotic cuisine, Glasgow's restaurant scene is both lively and cosmopolitan. Clubs and nightspots are up-to-date and fashion conscious and often feature live bands. There is also a thriving and authentic Ceilidh scene, where Scotland's native music can be enjoyed. For a complete guide to the city's entertainment, visitors should call in to the city's Tourist Information Centre.