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Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow reached its pinnacle of wealth and stature in the 19th century as the world’s greatest industrial, trade and shipbuilding capital, although its roots as a place of learning stretch back to Medieval times (the University of Glasgow was founded in 1451). The city is an example of grand Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture, much of it built from distinctive red sandstone. At the center of downtown, George Square contains a forest of commemorative statuary, bordered by the spectacular City Chambers; the city’s most imposing structure, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, in the city’s West End, houses one of Britain’s finest art collections.
You've got to like a place founded by a monk named St. Mungo. That was in the sixth century. Of course, he wasn't a saint at the time - you pretty much have to be dead to get that title - and all he did was start a religious community. But the idea caught on, and Glasgow now is Scotland's largest city with about 700,000 people. Glasgow has come a long way since the days of St. Mungo. It has been designated the European City of Culture as well as the British City of Architecture and Design. The latter designation ties into the 1999 Glasgow Festival of Architecture and Design, which will be the biggest such celebration ever in the UK. With 35 museums and galleries, and major arts organizations such as the Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the titles are well-earned. Situated on the banks of the River Clyde in south-central Scotland, Glasgow became a center for the steel and shipbuilding industries. (The Queen Mary and the QE2 were built here.) It remains Scotland's leading seaport and an industrial center, but economic hard times in the 1980s spurred the city's growth as a cultural center. The shipbuilding and culture come together with the Burrell Collection, an 8,000-item art collection of ship owner Sir William Burrell. It is housed at Pollok Park and is Scotland's top tourist attraction. Another attraction is the Hunterian Art Gallery, home to the James McNeill Whistler Collection. For living art, some of the places to go are the Theatre Royal, the King's Theatre and the Royal Concert Hall.