museums & galleries
The city has a wide range of museums and galleries that cover a range of interests including football, bagpiping, and religion, as well as some of the best collections of art and photography in the world.
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THE BURRELL COLLECTION
Set in the serene surroundings of Pollock Country Park, you can now rediscover the Burrell Collection, which reopened in 2022 after a six-year refurbishment.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nearest train/subway
Pollokshaws West
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In the heart of Pollock Country Park, a few miles southwest of the city centre.
ABOUT
This unusual collection was gifted to Glasgow by shipping magnate and explorer Sir William Burrell in 1944. Burrell included a provision that it must be housed in a park outwith the city, so as not to be affected by air pollution. However, no such site existed until twenty years later, when Glasgow City Council inherited the Pollok Estate. As a result of this, no building existed in which to house the collection. The council ran a competition, eventually won by English architect Gordon Barry Gasson, in collaboration with the first female recipient of the RAIA Award, Australian architect Brit Anderson.
The L-shaped building is home to one of the largest and most eclectic assortments of artefacts and exhibits, with over 8000 pieces ranging from medieval weaponry to Islamic and Chinese art, as well as masterpieces by renowned French artists such as Auguste Rodin and Edgar Degas, and Post-Impressionist Paul Cézanne. The collection explores many different facets of creation, from textiles and stained glass windows, back to history to ancient civilisations, with the famous Warwick Vase standing as a centrepiece. The vase, dating back to 2 AD, was unearthed in the ruins of Emperor Hadrian's Villa at Tivoli.
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gallery of modern art
The gallery is situated in a townhouse built for Tobacco Lord William Cunninghame in 1778, yet GoMA is one of Glasgow’s newest exhibition spaces, opening in 1996.
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Nearest train/subway
Queen Street station
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In the centre of Royal Exchange Square, just off Buchannan Street, a few yards from George Square.
ABOUT
In the past, it has served as a branch of the Royal Bank of Scotland, a library and the Royal Exchange. For the latter, it was renovated in the mid-19th Century by famous Glasgow architect David Hamilton. The gallery features themed exhibits all year round, as well as housing pieces by famous post-modern artists such as Andy Warhol and David Hockney, and Scottish artists such as John Bellany and Ken Currie. As well as an exhibition space, GoMA is also a learning centre, with regular classes, including a Saturday morning one for families, and free internet access.
The museum is perhaps most famous for the equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington that stands proudly outside.
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GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE
With a mission to make science fun and thought-provoking for future generations, the Glasgow Science Centre is a must visit for children and adults alike.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nearest train/subway
Exhibition Centre train station
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The precinct is located north-east of the city centre, at the top end of the High Street, just past Strathclyde University and next to the Necropolis.
wHERE IS IT?
The precinct is located north-east of the city centre, at the top end of the High Street, just past Strathclyde University and next to the Necropolis.
wHERE IS IT?
To the west of the city centre on the south bank of the River Clyde, directly across from the SEC and adjacent to BBC Scotland.
ABOUT
Glasgow Science Centre is one of the city's newest attractions. It is comprised of three buildings built on the south bank of the River Clyde.
The main building is Science Mall, which resembles a slice of orange lying on its side. This building, a fusion of titanium and glass, houses several science exhibitions as well as a planetarium. The Science Mall is an ideal day out for people of all ages. It mixes learning with entertainment to prove that science can be fun.
The bulbous cocoon-like building next to that is the centre's IMAX Cinema. At the tip of the harbour stands Glasgow Tower. The tower was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as being the tallest tower (127 metres) that can turn a full 360 degrees. It is classed as a tower and not a building as it does not have floors continuously from the ground up.
The tower was, unfortunately, plagued by problems normally reserved for structures built on top of ancient burial grounds. During its short history, it has had to close several times. However, do not let this put you off taking a trip up to the viewing platform, as it offers a remarkable view of Glasgow and the River Clyde.
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HIDDEN LANE GALLERY
As the name suggests, this gallery is tucked away in the very recent Hidden Lane complex in the city’s West end; a small hub of arts and crafts with an excellent cafe to boot.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nearest train/subway
Pollokshaws West
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Through a lane just off Argyle Street - the entrance is marked by "1103" painted on the blue sign above.
ABOUT
Set up by former lawyer and journalist, Joe Mulholland, the Hidden Gallery opened in late 2009. Situated within the renovated garage of a former undertaker, the gallery has (literally) breathed new life into the walls. As well as a recording studio, the gallery provides space for artists of all specialities, from writers and artists to jewellery designers and Japanese doll makers.
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THE HUNTERIAN MUSEUM
Spread out across four buildings within the grounds of the University of Glasgow, the Hunterian is Scotland’s, oldest public museum, having opened its doors in 1807.
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Nearest train/subway
Pollokshaws West
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In the main building of the University of Glasgow, just off University Avenue.
ABOUT
Named after anatomist William Hunter, the man who bestowed his prized collection to the University, it features an array of artefacts from throughout the ages, be it a fossilised shark from 330 million years ago, an Egyptian coin from the rule of Cleopatra, or more recent pieces, such as scientific equipment belonging to scientific sons of Glasgow like James Watt and Lord Kelvin. It also includes many models and work by Hunter himself in his specialist field of anatomy. The museum shares its name with the London Museum of the Royal College of the Surgeons of England, named after William’s brother, the distinguished surgeon John Hunter. Both brothers hail from nearby East Kilbride, where their lives are celebrated in the Hunter House Museum.
Over its two-hundred-year history, the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery has added to its collection and now holds over one million pieces. These include over 800 drawings and paintings by famous Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, as well as Mackintosh House, which features the reassembled interiors of his house in Glasgow.
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KELVINGROVE MUSEUM
The Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is the pride of Glasgow and the most popular free museum in Scotland, with over 8000 pieces of work housed in twenty-two themed galleries.
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Nearest train/subway
Kelvinhall subway
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In the city's West End, adjacent to Kelvingrove Park and Kelvin Hall, with the University of Glasgow looming on the hill above.
ABOUT
The first thing that may strike you about Kelvingrove Museum is that it appears to have been built backwards. The museum's main entrance faces the River Kelvin rather than Argyle Street, where most pedestrians will approach from. While this was always intended to be the case, there is an urban myth that the architects, Sir John. W. Simpson and E.J Milner Allen, leapt to their deaths upon seeing the error.
This is, to borrow a local phrase, utter mince.
Officially opened in 1901, the late Victorian building is the most popular free museum in all of Scotland. A century after opening, it received a £25 million refurbishment between 2003 and 2006. Tourists flock here to see one of the most impressive collections of arms and armour in the entire world, including an actual Spitfire. It boasts an exquisite European art collection from various eras. It also features work from homegrown talents and graduates of the Glasgow Art School.
One of its most famous pieces is Christ of Saint John of the Cross by prominent Spanish artist Salvador Dali. If you wish to see some Scottish artwork, check out The Glasgow Boys gallery. It features works from a group of radical Scottish artists who created a substantial body of work between 1880 and 1895. This movement sowed the seeds of modern Scottish painting.
In 2022, Glasgow band Twin Atlantic shot the music video for their song One Man Party in the museum. The video was shot in one night by Scottish director Nicholas Afchain.
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the lighthouse
Scotland’s national centre for design and architecture is found in the former Glasgow Herald building, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, his first public commission.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nearest train/subway
St. Enoch / Central station
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In the city centre, halfway along Mitchell Lane, which connects Buchanan Street with Mitchell Street.
ABOUT
The most prominent feature of the structure is a castle-like tower on the corner. Mackintosh built it to include over 8000 gallons of water, an early fire extinguisher system to protect goods inside should the building have ever caught alight (which in Glasgow is always a distinct possibility).
Almost a century after it was built in 1895, and after two decades of lying abandoned, it was renovated and relaunched as The Lighthouse. Due to its Mackintosh heritage, it has a section devoted to the architect and artist’s life and work, as well as the history of the building itself.
As well as hosting other exhibits, The Lighthouse has positioned itself as a central hub for creativity in the city. The centre holds lectures and workshops in a variety of fields. There is also a Digital Design Gallery as well as regular fairs and markets, allowing craft makers to sell their works to the general public.
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national piping centre
Despite its name, this is not a museum devoted to the skill of plumbing, but rather the mysterious musical art of bagpipe playing.
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Nearest train/subway
Cowcaddens subway
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On the corner of McPhater Street, across from the Theatre Royal.
ABOUT
The museum and school are devoted to the bagpipe, this peculiar yet instantly recognisable Scottish instrument. The main exhibit documents the 300-year history of bagpiping, from its creation and manufacture to its place in modern-day culture. The centre runs events that will let you try inflating the bagpipes, though you will need a pair of hearty lungs! It offers a range of lessons for all ages, plus immersive courses and one-to-one tuition. You can recover your strength afterwards at the Piper’s Tryst restaurant, or buy a set of bagpipes in its shop.
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RIVERSIDE MUSEUM
This custom-built museum houses the various vehicles and exhibitions that had inhabited the now-defunct Museum of Transport in Kelvin Hall.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nearest train/subway
Partick
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On the north bank of the River Clyde, a 15 minute walk from the SECC and Clyde Auditorium.
ABOUT
The museum's unique exterior was designed by Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Mohammad Hadid, in association with Bath-based engineering consultancy Buro Happold. It was built on the location of the former A. & J. Inglis Shipyard, the most notable sight is the 19th Century Glasgow Tall Ship, the Glenlee, moored next to it on the River Clyde, which visitors can climb aboard. The museum has combined the previous collections from the Transport Museum, including the authentic recreation of a 19th-century street, with new exhibits on Glasgow's expansive maritime history. It has also acquired artwork to compliment the collection, such as L.S. Lowry’s Cranes and Ships, and a 1945 steam locomotive, originally built in Glasgow, gifted to the museum by South African firm Spoornet.
The museum was developed by Clyde Waterfront, which has also created a riverside trail that runs outside the museum, guiding you through the sights and history of the river and surrounding areas. Please visit their website to find out more about this and all of their other projects.
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ROYAL HIGHLAND FUSILIERS REGIMENTAL MUSEUM
Hidden on the lower end of Sauchiehall Street, sandwiched between a disused shop and a nightclub, is the Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum.
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Nearest train/subway
Charing Cross
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At the lower end of Sauchiehall Street, five minutes walk from the Art School.
ABOUT
The RHF Regimental Museum is a short walk from Mackintosh's more famous building, the Glasgow School of Art. While this museum is significantly smaller, the RHF staff make good use of the space inside. You will leave there well-informed about the history of these three-hundred-year-old Scottish warriors, and possibly carrying a tartan trinket of some kind as well.
The exterior is of Victorian red sandstone and was built as an extension to the original building that existed there, Albany House, of which little is left. As well as Mackintosh’s indulgent swirls embedded in the design, he has included the RHF letters, partitioned by two statues, male and female, staring down upon the street. Above them is the RHF golden cap badge, holding three flags, colours of three battle honours awarded to the Royal Highland Fusiliers.
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SCOTLAND STREET SCHOOL
Mackintosh famously fought with the school board over the design of Scotland Street School, considered to be one of his finest works.
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Nearest train/subway
Shields Road subway
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In the south side near Shields Road underground station.
ABOUT
For his second school project after Martyrs School, Mackintosh based his design on Falkland Palace in Fife and Rowallan Castle in Ayrshire. While the school governors wished for something more modest and less expensive, Mackintosh wanted to design a palace of education that pupils would be proud to attend. They did so for almost seventy years, from the school’s creation in 1906 to its closure in 1973. It was shut down due to low pupil numbers caused by the decay of the surrounding area.
The school later reopened as a museum, with a room devoted to its illustrious designer. As well as exhibits on education throughout the ages, the school museum is infamous amongst Glaswegians for its role-playing experience, where you are dressed as a pupil of yesteryear and forced to listen to a lesson by a stern schoolmistress. Many often end up in the corner wearing the dunce hat. The museum is free, but a little out of the way, and with the car park being a tad expensive, we highly recommend either the subway, with Shields Road station located just outside, or First Bus 89 or 90 (just ask the driver, they’ll know where you are going).
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SCOTTISH FOOTBALL MUSEUM
Part of Hampden Park, the museum has over 200 items on display, including a match ticket from that 1872 international game, the oldest football ticket in the world.
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Nearest train/subway
Mount Florida / Kings Park
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In the south side of the city, near the districts of Mount Florida and King's Park.
ABOUT
The museum also houses the oldest national football trophy, The Scottish Cup, crafted in 1873. Despite the sorry state of Scotland’s national team, it is a country whose history is steeped in the game, having played the first-ever international game against England in 1872. The game took place in the West of Scotland Cricket Ground in Partick and rather frustratingly ended in a 0-0 draw. Although we have failed to qualify for a major tournament since the 1998 World Cup, the passion for football runs deep, and the legion of fans, the Tartan Army, follow their team around the globe, bringing with them their pride and good humour (which they often need after ninety minutes of play). It is because of this passion, pride and heritage that the Scottish Football Museum exists.
Although the museum has been in existence as an exhibition since 1994, it only moved into its permanent Hampden Park home in 2001. As well as the fourteen different galleries that will take you through the ages of football, the museum often holds special exhibitions. There is also the option to take a tour around Hampden Park, which holds the European attendance record for an international match; 149,415 people watched Scotland trounce England 3-1 in the 1937 British Home Championship game. As a result of security measures, Hampden’s capacity was cut almost in half from 150,000 to 81,000 in 1977. It currently has a capacity of 52,063, nearly a third of what it was at its peak.
The current Hampden Park is the third stadium to carry the name, all within a stone’s throw of one another. The first, created in 1873, was abandoned due to a proposed railway cutting through one of the terraces. Kingsley Bowling Green and an adjoining rose garden now stand in its place. The second was used for twenty years, but when planning permission for more space was rejected, a third site was sought out. That stadium was sold to Third Lanark A.C. and renamed Cathkin Park. It is now a public park, with one of the terraces still visible. The current stadium opened in 1903. Ironically for a Scottish national stadium, Hampden Park was named after a street which overlooked the first ground, Hampden Terrace. The irony is that this was named for John Hampden, an Englishman and Westminster politician who died during the English Civil War in 1643
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tRONGATE 103
Trongate 103 is an exciting space for artists, art lovers and creative organisations, including Glasgow Independent Studio, GMAC, and the Glasgow Print Studio.
BASIC INFORMATION
Nearest train/subway
High Street
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On Trongate in the Merchant City district, a few doors along from the Tron Theatre.
ABOUT
Other organisations that call Trongate 103 home are Project Ability, Russian Café, Gallery Cossachok, Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre, Street Level Photoworks and Transmission Gallery. All of these different artistic entities are housed throughout the six stories of three former B-listed Edwardian warehouses.
These were repaired externally and internally by Glasgow architect firm Elder and Cannon. The exteriors were reworked with full-height windows to make the building more inviting to the public, while the internal changes were linking the buildings together with ease of navigation. To this end, the firm added two atriums; one to link the gallery space with the entrance hall, and another further up on the second floor, which illustrates how each separate entity becomes part of the whole. The first two floors are where you can see art in a variety of exhibitions all year round. The upper floors cater to activities and classes for the public, where you can take part in the creative process and make your own art.
