Ah, Scotland. There are few places in the world as revered and friendly as this home of tartan, bagpipes and great beer. Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and the third largest in the United Kingdom.
It has a relatively small population of 600,000 people in the metro area and enjoys mild oceanic weather despite its northerly latitude.
In 2014, Glasgow hosted the Commonwealth Games. It’s really no surprise, as Scotland is known for its sporting history, as you’ll find out in our facts below.
Today let’s explore the lesser-known, thoroughly interesting side of Glasgow!
Here’s 14 fun facts:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BB7ayC0NG5k/
https://www.instagram.com/p/9XIym_jpr9/
It depicts the story of Achilles.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEdnvkfzBSd/
It also currently holds the Guinness-World-Record for the tallest fully rotating freestanding structure on earth.
Sent to the city in 1868, his bones now reside in Blessed St John Duns Scotus in the Gorbals.
https://www.instagram.com/p/8bPnl2jBXZ/
The famous Horseshoe Bar in the city centre (Drury Street) holds the title for the longest pub bar at 104 feet and three inches.
It lives in Glasgow City Chambers and is a miniature of New York’s version.
Scottish engineer John Logie Baird broadcast the first moving images in 1926 when he transmitted pictures from London’s Royal Institution to Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGP16EQmfs1/
The collection is currently valued at £1.8 billion pounds and comprises of eight museums – and it’s all free entry.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDDrbX_xLQg/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEbRhk-iBQ7/
In Gaelic, Glasgow means the “Dear Green Place”. This is a term of affection for the city – which is a green paradise compared to many other European cities.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBmrUNaFCYP/
The Scots love their sport! Back in 1872, the Scotland and England football teams versed each other for the first time at the West of Scotland Cricket Ground. The match finished at 0-0 and was witnessed by 4,000 spectators.
At the height of the British Empire during the 19th century, Glasgow was considered to be the second city of the Empire after London. Unfortunately it’s not this way now but it is a huge tourist destination.
https://www.instagram.com/p/tu880_Jv78/
Glasgow has one of the most unusual tourist attractions: the Titan Clydebank, a 100-year-old crane that you can pay money to climb. Some say it’s got the best views of the city!
Want to see a Roman bath house without going to Rome? There is one along the Roman Road in Bearsden on the site of an ancient Roman fort that was found when Victorian mansions were demolished in the 1970s.