Glasgow
Glasgow is a major city in Scotland, the country`s largest, on the River Clyde and 41 miles from Edinburgh.
The first sttlement here was founded by St. Mungo (otherwise known as St. Kentigern) in the 6th century, although St. Ninian is said to have blessed the ground a hundred years before. It received its charter in 1175 from William the Lion and the university was founded in 1451. James VI made it a Royal burgh in 1636.
In 1300 William Wallace defeated the English at Bell o` the Brae, where the High Street is now situated.
By the 19th century Glasgow had grown to a major city, aided by the presence of coalfields nearby. The Clyde helped to make it an important centre for shipbuilding and for export to the British Empire and the world.
The streets in the City Centre are on a grid system, centred on the impressive George Square.
Glasgow Cathedral dates back to the 12th century.
The lovely Kelvingrove Park, at the end of the famous shopping street Sauchiehall Street, contains the wonderful Kelvingrove Art Gallery.
Glasgow Green is one of Britain`s oldest public parks, and contains the People`s Palace Museum.
The Glasgow School of Art is one of many examples of work by the outstanding designer Charles Rennie MacKintosh.
Prominent people born in Glasgow include Gordon Brown, Prime Minister; Henry Campbell-Bannerman, Prime Minister; Stanley Baxter, comedian; Robert Carlyle, actor; Billy Connolly, comedian; Kenny Dalglish, Scotland footballer; Donald Dewar, politician; Tommy Docherty, Scotland footballer; Lonnie Donegan, singer; Donovan, singer; Gavin Esler, TV presenter; Alex Ferguson, football manager; Bill Forsyth, film director; James Frazer, anthropologist; Rikki Fulton, comedian; James Herriot, author; Jeremy Isaacs, TV administrator; Thomas Lipton, tea merchant; Lulu, singer; Charles Macintosh, inventor of waterproof clothing; Charles Rennie MacKintosh, designer; Alistair McLean, novelist; Colin Montgomerie, golfer; John Moore, military commander; Allan Pinkerton, founder of detective agency; John Gordon Sinclair, actor; Robert Stevenson, lighthouse designer; Al Stewart, singer; James Stirling, architect; Molly Weir, actress; Mortimer Wheeler, archaeologist.
The song "I Belong to Glasgow" was made famous by Will Fyffe.
Blue Badge Guide Colin Crosby is available to lead Guided Walks around Glasgow for groups.
Places in Glasgow
Argyle Street Station, Bellahouston Park, Burrell Collection, Charing Cross Station, Clydebank Museum, Clydebuilt, Exhibition Centre Station, Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow Central Station, Glasgow Green, Glasgow Queen Street Station, Glasgow University, High Street Station, Kelvingrove Park, Museum of Transport, Pollok Country Park, Pollok House, St. Mary`s Episcopal Cathedral, Tenement House, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour, Tollcross Park