Glasgow

Built in the 12th century, St Mungo’s Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. It’s the pride of the city as the only Scottish church to survive the Scottish Reformation Parliament of 1560. The stained-glass windows and crypt have to be seen to be believed. Once you’ve admired the interior, head outside to the Necropolis, just behind the cathedral. The cemetery is host to thousands of graves and stretches out over 37 acres.

One of the most impressive attractions in the city is Glasgow university. Founded in 1451, it’s one of the oldest universities in the Anglophone world. Today, the main university building is Neo-Gothic in style and would even be the envy of Harry Potter and his Hogwarts companions. A tour of the university’s Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Zoology and Anatomy Museums can come as a welcome surprise to visitors. 

The Riverside Museum is a striking transport museum that won the 2013 European Museum of the Year Award. It’s a journey through time aboard vehicles such as bicycles, trams, boats and cars. You’ll discover a whole range of transport operating in Scotland over the centuries.

If you’re looking for something unique, head to the Òran Mór. Previously a large church, this bar-restaurant offers visitors “A Play, a Pie and a Pint”. So, you can enjoy something to eat and drink over a spot of lunchtime theatre.   And the venue also plays host to comedy nights and music gigs in the evening.

Some traditions may come as a surprise. There are just 15 stops on Glasgow’s subway. So, students have created their own bar crawl called the subcrawl. The aim is to go to a pub near every station. But as alcohol should be consumed in moderation, why not try the same idea but with a different theme: shops or art galleries, for example.

Haggisis a traditional Scottish dish made from Sheep’s offal. It’s made with the heart, liver and lungs of the sheep as well as onions, spices and oatmeal. Originally, the mix was cooked in the animal’s stomach. Haggis is usually served with neeps (mashed turnip) and tatties (mashed potato).

To finish the meal off in style, you really must try cranachan. Cranachan is served in a small glass or ramekin and has alternating layers of raspberries and cream mixed with honey and whisky.  And the whole thing is topped off with a sprinkling of toasted oats.