What to do in Glasgow when you’re not at the Commonwealth Games

This year from the third week in July until the third of August, all eyes will be on Glasgow as the Commonwealth Games will take place in Scotland’s largest city. Over 11 days more than 6,500 athletes from 71 countries will compete against each other in 17 sports, including gymnastics, judo, rugby and hockey.

If you’re one of the lucky ones to be visiting the games, unless you’re the biggest sports nut on the planet, you’re not going to be visiting every single event. In this case, we’re envisaging that you’re going to have a bit of free time on your hands. If you do, here are five suggestions of how to see a bit of this wonderful city and country…

1. Visit Glasgow’s museums

If museums are your thing then you’ll be in your element in Glasgow. What’s great is that many of them are free. In the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (Argyle Street, admission free) exhibitions display everything from paintings by Dali to others with artefacts from Ancient Egypt.

Other museums worth visiting are The Hunterian Museum (Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow; admission free), which is Scotland’s oldest public museum, and the Museum of Modern Art (Royal Exchange Square; admission free).

Not free, but worth every penny of the entrance fee, is the iconic and futuristic building that is the Glasgow Science Centre (50 Pacific Quay; admission £10.50). It’s one of the world’s most engaging places – almost everything in the centre requires participation.

2. Stirling Castle, Stirling

There’s something extremely mystical about castles, and Scotland is full of them. Located 30 miles from Glasgow in the town of Stirling is Stirling Castle, a fortress that dates back to the 12th Century. It has survived a turbulent history that you can learn all about on a visit (admission £14) with highlights including the Great Hall, the Palace Vaults and the Royal Chapel. We’re not the only ones who recommend it – Lonely Planet recently listed it as one of their top 40 things to do in Europe.

3. Enjoy Glasgow’s nightlife

One of Glasgow’s main attractions is the nightlife. There are live music venues throughout the city as well as traditional Scottish pubs, cocktail lounges and nightclubs. King Tut’s Wah Wah Lounge (272a St Vincent’s Street) and Oran Mor (731-735 Great Western Road) are great for live music, while Radio (1st Floor, 46 Ashton Lane) is an intimate bar that has a nightclub called Nude above it.

4. Edinburgh

Glasgow might be Scotland’s biggest city, but Edinburgh is unquestionably its most famous. Home to Edinburgh Castle, Arthur’s Seat, endless haunted city tours and the beautiful Princes Street Gardens, as it is only 40 miles from Glasgow, it would be a shame not to visit when in town.

The main thoroughfares are the Royal Mile in the old town and Princes Street in the new. Surrounding these are endless bars, restaurants, cafés, all under the watchful eye of the castle.

5. The Highlands

Having travelled the world and back again, I can safely say that Scotland’s Highlands offer some of the most beautiful views in the world. Sights such as Glencoe and Ben Nevis combine with towns such as Dingwall and Nairn to make the road trip to them a highlight not to miss.

>> Find a homestay in Glasgow

>> Find a homestay in Scotland

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