Glasgow (UK: /ˈɡlɑːzɡ, ˈɡlæz-, ˈɡlɑːs-, ˈɡlæs-/ GLA(H)Z-goh, GLA(H)SS-; Scots: Glesca [ˈɡleskə] or Glesga [ˈɡlezɡə];[7] Scottish Gaelic: Glaschu [ˈkl̪ˠas̪əxu]) is the most populous city in Scotland, the third-most populous city in the United Kingdom, and the 27th-most populous city in Europe.[8] In 2022, it had an estimated population as a defined locality of 632,350 and anchored an urban settlement of 1,028,220. Glasgow became a county in 1893, the city having previously been in the historic county of Lanarkshire, and later growing to also include settlements that were once part of Renfrewshire and Dunbartonshire. It now forms the Glasgow City Council area, one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and is administered by Glasgow City Council.

Glasgow
Glaschu (Scottish Gaelic)
Glesga (Scots)
Skyline
Union Bridge
University of Glasgow
George Square
Glasgow Science Centre
From top, left to right: Skyline of Glasgow from the River Clyde; City Union Bridge; University of Glasgow; George Square; the Armadillo Auditorium and the Glasgow Science Centre with Glasgow Tower
Nicknames: 
"The Dear Green Place", "Baile Mòr nan Gàidheal"[1]
Motto(s): 
Let Glasgow Flourish
Lord, let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word
Glasgow is located in Scotland
Glasgow
Glasgow
Location within Scotland
Glasgow is located in the United Kingdom
Glasgow
Glasgow
Location within the United Kingdom
Glasgow is located in Europe
Glasgow
Glasgow
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 55°51′40″N 04°15′00″W / 55.86111°N 4.25000°W / 55.86111; -4.25000
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Council AreaGlasgow City
Lieutenancy AreaGlasgow
Subdivisions23 Wards
FoundedLate-6th century
Burgh Charter1170s[3]
Government
 • BodyGlasgow City Council
 • Lord ProvostJacqueline McLaren (SNP)
 • Council LeaderSusan Aitken (SNP)
 • MSPs
Area
 • Council area68 sq mi (175 km2)
 • Urban
142.3 sq mi (368.5 km2)
 • Metro
190 sq mi (492 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Council area635,130[2]
 • Rank1st in Scotland, 3rd in UK
 • Density9,210/sq mi (3,555/km2)
 • Urban
632,350 (Locality)[4]
1,028,220 (Settlement)[4]
 • Metro
1,861,315[5]
 • Language(s)
English
Scots
Gaelic
DemonymGlaswegian
GVA
 • Glasgow City£23.141 billion (2021)
Time zoneUTC±0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
Postcode areas
Area code0141
OS grid referenceNS590655
International AirportsGlasgow Airport (GLA)
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK)
Main Railway StationsGlasgow Central
Glasgow Queen Street
Rapid transit Glasgow subway
Websitewww.glasgow.gov.uk Edit this at Wikidata

Glasgow has the largest economy in Scotland and the third-highest GDP per capita of any city in the UK.[9][10] Glasgow's major cultural institutions enjoy international reputations including The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Burrell Collection, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera. The city was the European Capital of Culture in 1990 and is notable for its architecture, culture, media, music scene, sports clubs and transport connections. It is the fifth-most visited city in the United Kingdom.[11] The city hosted the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) at its main events venue, the SEC Centre. Glasgow hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the first European Championships in 2018, was one of the host cities for UEFA Euro 2020, and will be a host city of the UEFA Euro 2028. The city is also well known in the sporting world for football, particularly for the Old Firm rivalry.

Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement close to Glasgow Cathedral and descending to the River Clyde to become the largest seaport in Scotland, and tenth largest by tonnage in Britain. Expanding from the medieval bishopric and episcopal burgh (subsequently royal burgh), and the later establishment of the University of Glasgow in the 15th century, it became a major centre of the Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century. From the 18th century onwards, the city also grew as one of Britain's main hubs of oceanic trade with North America and the West Indies; soon followed by the Orient, India, and China. With the onset of the Industrial Revolution, the population and economy of Glasgow and the surrounding region expanded rapidly to become one of the world's pre-eminent centres of chemicals, textiles and engineering; most notably in the shipbuilding and marine engineering industry, which produced many innovative and famous vessels. Glasgow was the "Second City of the British Empire" for much of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.[12][13][14][15]

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Glasgow's population grew rapidly, reaching a peak of 1,127,825 people in 1938 (with a higher density and within a smaller territory than in subsequent decades).[16] The population was greatly reduced following comprehensive urban renewal projects in the 1960s which resulted in large-scale relocation of people to designated new towns, such as Cumbernauld, Livingston, East Kilbride and peripheral suburbs, followed by successive boundary changes. Over 1,000,000 people live in the Greater Glasgow contiguous urban area, while the wider Glasgow City Region is home to over 1,800,000 people, equating to around 33% of Scotland's population.[4] The city has one of the highest densities of any locality in Scotland at 4,023/km2.

Etymology edit

The name Glasgow is Brittonic in origin. The first element glas, meaning "grey-green, grey-blue" both in Brittonic, Scottish Gaelic and modern day Welsh and the second *cöü, "hollow" (cf. Welsh glas-cau),[17] giving a meaning of "green-hollow".[18] It is often said that the name means "dear green place" or that "dear green place" is a translation from Gaelic Glas Caomh.[19] "The dear green place" remains an affectionate way of referring to the city. The modern Gaelic is Glaschu and derived from the same roots as the Brittonic.

The settlement may have an earlier Brittonic name, Cathures; the modern name appears for the first time in the Gaelic period (1116), as Glasgu. It is also recorded that the King of Strathclyde, Rhydderch Hael, welcomed Saint Kentigern (also known as Saint Mungo), and procured his consecration as bishop about 540. For some thirteen years Kentigern laboured in the region, building his church at the Molendinar Burn where Glasgow Cathedral now stands, and making many converts. A large community developed around him and became known as Glasgu.

Heraldry edit

The coat of arms of the City of Glasgow
 
Adopted1866
CrestSaint Mungo
SupportersTwo salmon, bearing rings
MottoLet Glasgow Flourish by the preaching of Your word, and the praising of Your name.

The coat of arms of the City of Glasgow was granted to the royal burgh by the Lord Lyon on 25 October 1866.[20] It incorporates a number of symbols and emblems associated with the life of Glasgow's patron saint, Mungo, which had been used on official seals prior to that date. The emblems represent miracles supposed to have been performed by Mungo[21] and are listed in the traditional rhyme:

Here's the bird that never flew
Here's the tree that never grew
Here's the bell that never rang
Here's the fish that never swam

St Mungo is also said to have preached a sermon containing the words Lord, Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word and the praising of thy name. This was abbreviated to "Let Glasgow Flourish" and adopted as the city's motto.

In 1450, John Stewart, the first Lord Provost of Glasgow, left an endowment so that a "St Mungo's Bell" could be made and tolled throughout the city so that the citizens would pray for his soul. A new bell was purchased by the magistrates in 1641 and that bell is still on display in the People's Palace Museum, near Glasgow Green.

The supporters are two salmon bearing rings, and the crest is a half length figure of Saint Mungo. He wears a bishop's mitre and liturgical vestments and has his hand raised in "the act of benediction". The original 1866 grant placed the crest atop a helm, but this was removed in subsequent grants. The current version (1996) has a gold mural crown between the shield and the crest. This form of coronet, resembling an embattled city wall, was allowed to the four area councils with city status.

The arms were re-matriculated by the City of Glasgow District Council on 6 February 1975, and by the present area council on 25 March 1996. The only change made on each occasion was in the type of coronet over the arms.[22][23]

History edit

Origins and development edit

 
An early map of Glasgow in 1776, centred on Glasgow Cross.

The area around Glasgow has hosted communities for millennia, with the River Clyde providing a natural location for fishing. The Romans later built outposts in the area and, to protect Roman Britannia from the Brittonic speaking (Celtic) Caledonians, constructed the Antonine Wall. Items from the wall, such as altars from Roman forts like Balmuildy, can be found at the Hunterian Museum today.

Glasgow itself was reputed to have been founded by the Christian missionary Saint Mungo in the 6th century. He established a church on the Molendinar Burn, where the present Glasgow Cathedral stands, and in the following years Glasgow became a religious centre. Glasgow grew over the following centuries. The Glasgow Fair reportedly began in 1190.[24] A bridge over the River Clyde was recorded from around 1285, where Victoria Bridge now stands. As the lowest bridging point on the Clyde it was an important crossing. The area around the bridge became known as Briggait. The founding of the University of Glasgow adjoining the cathedral in 1451 and elevation of the bishopric to become the Archdiocese of Glasgow in 1492 increased the town's religious and educational status and landed wealth. Its early trade was in agriculture, brewing and fishing, with cured salmon and herring being exported to Europe and the Mediterranean.[25] By the fifteenth century the urban area stretched from the area around the cathedral and university in the north down to the bridge and the banks of the Clyde in the south along High Street, Saltmarket and Bridgegate, crossing an east–west route at Glasgow Cross which became the commercial centre of the city.[26]

Following the European Protestant Reformation and with the encouragement of the Convention of Royal Burghs, the 14 incorporated trade crafts federated as the Trades House in 1605 to match the power and influence in the town council of the earlier Merchants' Guilds who established their Merchants House in the same year.[25] Glasgow was subsequently raised to the status of Royal Burgh in 1611.[27] Daniel Defoe visited the city in the early 18th century and famously opined in his book A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain, that Glasgow was "the cleanest and beautifullest, and best built city in Britain, London excepted". At that time the city's population was about 12,000, and the city was yet to undergo the massive expansionary changes to its economy and urban fabric, brought about by the Scottish Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution.

The city prospered from its involvement in the triangular trade and the Atlantic slave trade that the former depended upon. Glasgow merchants dealt in slave-produced cash crops such as sugar, tobacco, cotton and linen.[28][29] From 1717 to 1766, Scottish slave ships operating out of Glasgow transported approximately 3,000 enslaved Africans to the Americas (out of a total number of 5,000 slaves carried by ships from Scotland). The majority of these slaving voyages left from Glasgow's satellite ports, Greenock and Port Glasgow.[30]

Trading port edit

 
Shipping on the Clyde, Atkinson Grimshaw, 1881

After the Acts of Union in 1707, Scotland gained further access to the vast markets of the new British Empire, and Glasgow became prominent as a hub of international trade to and from the Americas, especially in sugar, tobacco, cotton, and manufactured goods. Starting in 1668, the city's Tobacco Lords created a deep water port at Port Glasgow about 20 mi (32 km) down the River Clyde, as the river from the city to that point was then too shallow for seagoing merchant ships.[31] By the late 18th century more than half of the British tobacco trade was concentrated on the River Clyde, with over 47,000,000 lb (21,000 t) of tobacco being imported each year at its peak.[32] At the time, Glasgow held a commercial importance as the city participated in the trade of sugar, tobacco and later cotton.[33] From the mid-eighteenth century the city began expanding westwards from its medieval core at Glasgow Cross, with a grid-iron street plan starting from the 1770s and eventually reaching George Square to accommodate much of the growth, with that expansion much later becoming known in the 1980s onwards as the Merchant City.[34] The largest growth in the city centre area, building on the wealth of trading internationally, was the next expansion being the grid-iron streets west of Buchanan Street riding up and over Blythswood Hill from 1800 onwards.[35]

Industrialisation edit

 
Cranes at Glasgow Harbour. Shipbuilding became a symbol of Glasgow's economic importance
 
St Andrew's in the Square (1756)
 
Glasgow in 1944 during World War II, a time when it played a major role in the construction of vessels to aid the war effort

The opening of the Monkland Canal and basin linking to the Forth and Clyde Canal at Port Dundas in 1795, facilitated access to the extensive iron-ore and coal mines in Lanarkshire. After extensive river engineering projects to dredge and deepen the River Clyde as far as Glasgow, shipbuilding became a major industry on the upper stretches of the river, pioneered by industrialists such as Robert Napier, John Elder, George Thomson, Sir William Pearce and Sir Alfred Yarrow. The River Clyde also became an important source of inspiration for artists, such as John Atkinson Grimshaw, John Knox, James Kay, Sir Muirhead Bone, Robert Eadie and L.S. Lowry, willing to depict the new industrial era and the modern world, as did Stanley Spencer downriver at Port Glasgow.

Glasgow's population had surpassed that of Edinburgh by 1821. The development of civic institutions included the City of Glasgow Police in 1800, one of the first municipal police forces in the world. Despite the crisis caused by the City of Glasgow Bank's collapse in 1878, growth continued and by the end of the 19th century it was one of the cities known as the "Second City of the Empire" and was producing more than half Britain's tonnage of shipping[36] and a quarter of all locomotives in the world.[37] In addition to its pre-eminence in shipbuilding, engineering, industrial machinery, bridge building, chemicals, explosives, coal and oil industries it developed as a major centre in textiles, garment-making, carpet manufacturing, leather processing, furniture-making, pottery, food, drink and cigarette making; printing and publishing. Shipping, banking, insurance and professional services expanded at the same time.[25]

Glasgow became one of the first cities in Europe to reach a population of one million. The city's new trades and sciences attracted new residents from across the Lowlands and the Highlands of Scotland, from Ireland and other parts of Britain and from Continental Europe.[25] During this period, the construction of many of the city's greatest architectural masterpieces and most ambitious civil engineering projects, such as the Milngavie water treatment works, Glasgow Subway, Glasgow Corporation Tramways, City Chambers, Mitchell Library and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum were being funded by its wealth. The city also held a series of International Exhibitions at Kelvingrove Park, in 1888, 1901 and 1911, with Britain's last major International Exhibition, the Empire Exhibition, being subsequently held in 1938 at Bellahouston Park, which drew 13 million visitors.[38]

The 20th century witnessed both decline and renewal in the city. After World War I, the city suffered from the impact of the Post–World War I recession and from the later Great Depression, this also led to a rise of radical socialism and the "Red Clydeside" movement. The city had recovered by the outbreak of World War II. The city saw aerial bombardment by the Luftwaffe[39] during the Clydebank Blitz, during the war, then grew through the post-war boom that lasted through the 1950s. By the 1960s, growth of industry in countries like Japan and West Germany, weakened the once pre-eminent position of many of the city's industries. As a result of this, Glasgow entered a lengthy period of relative economic decline and rapid de-industrialisation, leading to high unemployment, urban decay, population decline, welfare dependency and poor health for the city's inhabitants. There were active attempts at regeneration of the city, when the Glasgow Corporation published its controversial Bruce Report, which set out a comprehensive series of initiatives aimed at turning round the decline of the city. The report led to a huge and radical programme of rebuilding and regeneration efforts that started in the mid-1950s and lasted into the late 1970s. This involved the mass demolition of the city's infamous slums and their replacement with large suburban housing estates and tower blocks.[40]

The city invested heavily in roads infrastructure, with an extensive system of arterial roads and motorways that bisected the central area. There are also accusations that the Scottish Office had deliberately attempted to undermine Glasgow's economic and political influence in post-war Scotland by diverting inward investment in new industries to other regions during the Silicon Glen boom and creating the new towns of Cumbernauld, Glenrothes, Irvine, Livingston and East Kilbride, dispersed across the Scottish Lowlands to halve the city's population base.[40] By the late 1980s, there had been a significant resurgence in Glasgow's economic fortunes. The "Glasgow's miles better" campaign, launched in 1983, and opening of the Burrell Collection in 1983 and Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in 1985 facilitated Glasgow's new role as a European centre for business services and finance and promoted an increase in tourism and inward investment.[41] The latter continues to be bolstered by the legacy of the city's Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, its status as European Capital of Culture in 1990,[42] and concerted attempts to diversify the city's economy.[43] However, it is the industrial heritage that serves as key tourism enabler.[44] Wider economic revival has persisted and the ongoing regeneration of inner-city areas, including the large-scale Clyde Waterfront Regeneration, has led to more affluent people moving back to live in the centre of Glasgow, fuelling allegations of gentrification.[45] In 2008, the city was listed by Lonely Planet as one of the world's top 10 tourist cities.[46]

Despite Glasgow's economic renaissance, the East End of the city remains the focus of social deprivation.[47] A Glasgow Economic Audit report published in 2007 stated that the gap between prosperous and deprived areas of the city is widening.[48] In 2006, 47% of Glasgow's population lived in the most deprived 15% of areas in Scotland,[48] while the Centre for Social Justice reported 29.4% of the city's working-age residents to be "economically inactive".[47] Although marginally behind the UK average, Glasgow still has a higher employment rate than Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.[48] In 2008 the city was ranked at 43 for Personal Safety in the Mercer index of top 50 safest cities in the world.[49] The Mercer report was specifically looking at Quality of Living, yet by 2011 within Glasgow, certain areas were (still) "failing to meet the Scottish Air Quality Objective levels for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10)".[50]

Sanitation edit

 
Sauchiehall Street during World War II (1943)

With the population growing, the first scheme to provide a public water supply was by the Glasgow Company in 1806. A second company was formed in 1812, and the two merged in 1838, but there was some dissatisfaction with the quality of the water supplied.[51] The Gorbals Gravitation Water Company began supplying water to residents living to the south of the River Clyde in 1846, obtained from reservoirs, which gave 75,000 people a constant water supply,[51] but others were not so fortunate, and some 4,000 died in an outbreak of cholera in 1848/1849.[52] This led to the development of the Glasgow Corporation Water Works, with a project to raise the level of Loch Katrine and to convey clean water by gravity along a 26 mi (42 km) aqueduct to a holding reservoir at Milngavie, and then by pipes into the city.[53] The project cost £980,000[52] and was opened by Queen Victoria in 1859.[54] In the early 19th century an eighth of the people lived in single-room accommodation.[55]

The engineer for the project was John Frederick Bateman, while James Morris Gale became the resident engineer for the city section of the project, and subsequently became Engineer in Chief for Glasgow Water Commissioners. He oversaw several improvements during his tenure, including a second aqueduct and further raising of water levels in Loch Katrine.[56] Additional supplies were provided by Loch Arklet in 1902, by impounding the water and creating a tunnel to allow water to flow into Loch Katrine. A similar scheme to create a reservoir in Glen Finglas was authorised in 1903, but was deferred, and was not completed until 1965.[52] Following the 2002 Glasgow floods, the waterborne parasite cryptosporidium was found in the reservoir at Milngavie, and so the new Milngavie water treatment works was built. It was opened by Queen Elizabeth in 2007, and won the 2007 Utility Industry Achievement Award, having been completed ahead of its time schedule and for £10 million below its budgeted cost.[57]

Good health requires both clean water and effective removal of sewage. The Caledonian Railway rebuilt many of the sewers, as part of a deal to allow them to tunnel under the city, and sewage treatment works were opened at Dalmarnoch in 1894, Dalmuir in 1904 and Shieldhall in 1910. The works experimented to find better ways to treat sewage, and a number of experimental filters were constructed, until a full activated sludge plant was built between 1962 and 1968 at a cost of £4 million.[58] Treated sludge was dumped at sea, and Glasgow Corporation owned six sludge ships between 1904 and 1998,[59] when the EU Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive ended the practice.[60] The sewerage infrastructure was improved significantly in 2017, with the completion of a tunnel 3.1 mi (5.0 km) long, which provides 20×10^6 imp gal (90 Ml) of storm water storage. It will reduce the risk of flooding and the likelihood that sewage will overflow into the Clyde during storms.[61] Since 2002, clean water provision and sewerage have been the responsibility of Scottish Water.[62]

Government and politics edit

Local government edit

 
Glasgow City Chambers, located on George Square, is the headquarters of Glasgow City Council and the seat of local government in the city, circa 1900.
 
The debating chamber inside the Glasgow City Chambers

Although Glasgow Corporation had been a pioneer in the municipal socialist movement from the late-nineteenth century, since the Representation of the People Act 1918, Glasgow increasingly supported left-wing ideas and politics at a national level. The city council was controlled by the Labour Party for over thirty years, since the decline of the Progressives. Since 2007, when local government elections in Scotland began to use the single transferable vote rather than the first-past-the-post system, the dominance of the Labour Party within the city started to decline. As a result of the 2017 United Kingdom local elections, the SNP was able to form a minority administration ending Labour's thirty-seven years of uninterrupted control.[63]

In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the German Revolution of 1918–19, the city's frequent strikes and militant organisations caused serious alarm at Westminster, with one uprising in January 1919 prompting the Liberal Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, to deploy 10,000 soldiers and tanks on the city's streets. A huge demonstration in the city's George Square on 31 January ended in violence after the Riot Act was read.[64]

Industrial action at the shipyards gave rise to the "Red Clydeside" epithet. During the 1930s, Glasgow was the main base of the Independent Labour Party. Towards the end of the twentieth century, it became a centre of the struggle against the poll tax; which was introduced in Scotland a whole year before the rest of the United Kingdom and also served as the main base of the Scottish Socialist Party, another left-wing political party in Scotland. The city has not had a Conservative MP since the 1982 Hillhead by-election, when the SDP took the seat, which was in Glasgow's most affluent area. The fortunes of the Conservative Party continued to decline into the twenty-first century, winning only one of the 79 councillors on Glasgow City Council in 2012, despite having been the controlling party (as the Progressives) from 1969 to 1972 when Sir Donald Liddle was the last non-Labour Lord Provost.[65]

Glasgow is represented in both the House of Commons in London, and the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. At Westminster, it is represented by seven Members of Parliament (MPs), all elected at least once every five years to represent individual constituencies, using the first-past-the-post system of voting. In Holyrood, Glasgow is represented by sixteen Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), of whom nine are elected to represent individual constituencies once every four years using first-past-the-post, and seven are elected as additional regional members, by proportional representation. Since the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, Glasgow is represented at Holyrood by 9 Scottish National Party MSPs, 4 Labour MSPs, 2 Conservative MSPs and 1 Scottish Green MSP. In the European Parliament, the city formed part of the Scotland constituency, which elected six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) prior to Brexit.[66]

Central government edit

Since Glasgow is covered and operates under two separate central governments, the devolved Scottish Parliament and UK Government, they determine various matters that Glasgow City Council is not responsible for.

The Glasgow electoral region of the Scottish Parliament covers the Glasgow City council area, a north-western part of South Lanarkshire and a small eastern portion of Renfrewshire. It elects nine of the parliament's 73 first past the post constituency members and seven of the 56 additional members. Both kinds of member are known as Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The system of election is designed to produce a form of proportional representation.[67]

The first past the post seats were created in 1999 with the names and boundaries of then existing Westminster (House of Commons) constituencies. In 2005, the number of Westminster Members of Parliament (MPs) representing Scotland was cut to 59, with new constituencies being formed, while the existing number of MSPs was retained at Holyrood. In the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, the boundaries of the Glasgow region were redrawn.[68]

Currently, the nine Scottish Parliament constituencies in the Glasgow electoral region are:

At the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, all nine of these constituencies were won by Scottish National Party (SNP) candidates. On the regional vote, the Glasgow electoral region is represented by four Labour MSPs, two Conservative MSPs and one Green MSP.[69]

Following reform of constituencies of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom (Westminster) in 2005, which reduced the number of Scottish Members of Parliament (MPs), the current Westminster constituencies representing Glasgow are:

Following the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, in which 53.49% of the electorate of Glasgow voted in favour of Scottish independence; the SNP won every seat in the city at the 2015 general election, including a record-breaking 39.3% swing from Labour to SNP in the Glasgow North East constituency.[70]

At the 2017 snap general election, Glasgow was represented by 6 Scottish National Party MPs and 1 Labour MP; the Glasgow North East constituency which had a record 39.3% swing from Labour to SNP at the previous general election, was regained by Paul Sweeney of the Labour Party, who narrowly defeated sitting SNP MP Anne McLaughlin by 242 votes.[71][72]

Since the 2019 general election, Glasgow has been represented by 7 Scottish National Party MPs; the Glasgow North East constituency, was regained by Anne McLaughlin of the Scottish National Party, resulting in the same clean sweep like 4 years previously.[73]

Referendums edit

In the Scottish independence referendum, Glasgow voted "Yes" by a margin of 53.5% to 46.5%.[74]

In the Brexit referendum, results varied from constituency to constituency. Glasgow North recorded the biggest remain vote with 78% opting to stay in the EU whilst in Glasgow East this figure dropped to 56%.[75] The city as a whole voted to remain in the EU, by 66.6% to 33.3%.[76]

Voter turnout edit

Voter turnout has often been lower in Glasgow than in the rest of the United Kingdom. In the Referendum of 2014 turnout was 75%, the lowest in Scotland;[77] in the Brexit referendum the city's voters, while joining the rest of Scotland in voting to remain part of the EU, again had a low turnout of 56.2%, although SNP MP Angus Robertson placed this in the historical context of traditional low turnout in Glasgow.[78]

In the 2015 general election, the six Scottish constituencies with the lowest turnout were all in Glasgow;[79] turnout further decreased in the 2017 election, when five of the city's seven seats reported a lowered turnout.[80]

Geography edit

 
River Clyde, west of Glasgow city centre as seen from the air

Glasgow is located on the banks of the River Clyde, in West Central Scotland. Another important river is the Kelvin, a tributary of the River Clyde, whose name was used in creating the title of Baron Kelvin the renowned physicist for whom the SI unit of temperature, Kelvin, is named.

The burgh of Glasgow was historically in Lanarkshire, but close to the border with Renfrewshire. When elected county councils were established in 1890, Glasgow was deemed capable of running its own affairs and so was excluded from the administrative area of Lanarkshire County Council, whilst remaining part of Lanarkshire for lieutenancy and judicial purposes.[81][82] The burgh was substantially enlarged in 1891 to take in areas from both Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire where the urban area had grown beyond the old burgh boundary.[83] In 1893, the burgh became its own county for lieutenancy and judicial purposes too, being made a county of itself.[84]

From 1975 to 1996 the city was part of Strathclyde Region, with the city's council becoming a lower-tier district council. Strathclyde was abolished in 1996, since when the city has again been responsible for all aspects of local government, being one of the 32 council areas in Scotland.[85]

Climate edit

 
Panorama over Glasgow's South Side and West End from Queen's Park, looking north west. Left of centre can be seen the Clyde Arc bridge at Finnieston, while beyond is the tower of the University of Glasgow, with the Campsie Fells in the distance on the right.

Despite its northerly latitude, similar to that of Moscow, Glasgow's climate is classified as oceanic (Köppen Cfb). Data is available online for 3 official weather stations in the Glasgow area: Paisley, Abbotsinch and Bishopton. All are located to the west of the city, in neighbouring Renfrewshire. Owing to its westerly position and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Glasgow is one of Scotland's milder areas. Winter temperatures are usually higher than in most places of equal latitude away from the UK, due to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream. However, this results in less distinct seasons as compared to continental Western Europe. At Paisley, the annual precipitation averages 1,245 mm (49.0 in). Glasgow has been named as the rainiest city of the UK, having an average of 170 days of rain a year.[86][87]

Winters are cool and overcast, with a January mean of 5.0 °C (41.0 °F), though lows sometimes fall below freezing. Since 2000 Glasgow has experienced few very cold, snowy and harsh winters where temperatures have fallen much below freezing. The most extreme instances have however seen temperatures around −12 °C (10 °F) in the area. Snowfall accumulation is infrequent and short-lived. The spring months (March to May) are usually mild and often quite pleasant. Many of Glasgow's trees and plants begin to flower at this time of the year and parks and gardens are filled with spring colours.

During the summer months (June to August) the weather can vary considerably from day to day, ranging from relatively cool and wet to quite warm with the odd sunny day. Long dry spells of warm weather are generally quite scarce. Overcast and humid conditions without rain are frequent. Generally the weather pattern is quite unsettled and erratic during these months, with only occasional heatwaves. The warmest month is usually July, with average highs above 20 °C (68 °F). Summer days can occasionally reach up to 27 °C (81 °F), and very rarely exceed 30 °C (86 °F). Autumns are generally cool to mild with increasing precipitation. During early autumn there can be some settled periods of weather and it can feel pleasant with mild temperatures and some sunny days.

The official Met Office data series goes back to 1959 and shows that there only have been a few warm and no hot summers in Glasgow, in stark contrast to areas further south in Great Britain and eastwards in Europe. The warmest month on record in the data series is July 2006, with an average high of 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) and low of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F).[88] Even this extreme event only matched a normal summer on similar parallels in continental Europe, underlining the maritime influences. The coldest month on record since the data series began is December 2010, during a severe cold wave affecting the British Isles. Even then, the December high was above freezing at 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) with the low of −4.4 °C (24.1 °F).[88] This still ensured Glasgow's coldest month of 2010 remained milder than the isotherm of −3 °C (27 °F) normally used to determine continental climate normals.

Temperature extremes have ranged from −19.9 °C (−4 °F), at Abbotsinch in December 1995 to[89] 31.9 °C (89 °F) at Bishopton in June 2018.[90]

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.5
(56.3)
14.4
(57.9)
17.2
(63.0)
24.4
(75.9)
26.5
(79.7)
29.6
(85.3)
30.0
(86.0)
31.0
(87.8)
26.7
(80.1)
22.8
(73.0)
17.7
(63.9)
14.1
(57.4)
31.0
(87.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.2
(45.0)
7.8
(46.0)
9.8
(49.6)
13.0
(55.4)
16.1
(61.0)
18.4
(65.1)
19.8
(67.6)
19.3
(66.7)
16.7
(62.1)
13.0
(55.4)
9.6
(49.3)
7.4
(45.3)
13.2
(55.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3)
5.0
(41.0)
6.5
(43.7)
9.0
(48.2)
11.8
(53.2)
14.3
(57.7)
15.9
(60.6)
15.6
(60.1)
13.3
(55.9)
9.9
(49.8)
6.9
(44.4)
4.7
(40.5)
9.8
(49.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8)
2.2
(36.0)
3.2
(37.8)
5.1
(41.2)
7.4
(45.3)
10.3
(50.5)
12.1
(53.8)
11.9
(53.4)
9.9
(49.8)
6.8
(44.2)
4.2
(39.6)
2.1
(35.8)
6.5
(43.7)
Record low °C (°F) −14.8
(5.4)
−7.5
(18.5)
−8.3
(17.1)
−4.4
(24.1)
−1.1
(30.0)
1.5
(34.7)
3.9
(39.0)
2.2
(36.0)
−0.2
(31.6)
−3.5
(25.7)
−6.8
(19.8)
−14.5
(5.9)
−14.8
(5.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 146.4
(5.76)
115.2
(4.54)
97.4
(3.83)
66.1
(2.60)
68.8
(2.71)
67.8
(2.67)
82.9
(3.26)
94.8
(3.73)
98.4
(3.87)
131.8
(5.19)
131.8
(5.19)
161.4
(6.35)
1,262.8
(49.72)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 17.7 14.7 13.8 12.3 12.1 12.1 13.3 13.9 13.9 16.2 17.3 16.9 174.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 38.6 67.3 104.3 141.4 186.8 155.6 151.5 145.5 114.6 86.3 53.9 33.7 1,279.6
Source 1: Met Office [91]
Source 2: KNMI/Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute[92]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.5
(56.3)
14.3
(57.7)
18.9
(66.0)
24.0
(75.2)
27.4
(81.3)
29.6
(85.3)
30.1
(86.2)
31.2
(88.2)
26.7
(80.1)
23.9
(75.0)
16.0
(60.8)
14.6
(58.3)
31.2
(88.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1)
7.4
(45.3)
9.2
(48.6)
12.2
(54.0)
15.4
(59.7)
17.8
(64.0)
19.3
(66.7)
18.9
(66.0)
16.5
(61.7)
12.8
(55.0)
9.3
(48.7)
6.8
(44.2)
12.7
(54.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.1
(39.4)
4.5
(40.1)
5.9
(42.6)
8.2
(46.8)
10.9
(51.6)
13.6
(56.5)
15.3
(59.5)
14.9
(58.8)
12.9
(55.2)
9.6
(49.3)
6.4
(43.5)
4.1
(39.4)
9.2
(48.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.5
(34.7)
1.6
(34.9)
2.6
(36.7)
4.2
(39.6)
6.5
(43.7)
9.4
(48.9)
11.2
(52.2)
10.9
(51.6)
9.2
(48.6)
6.4
(43.5)
3.6
(38.5)
1.4
(34.5)
5.7
(42.3)
Record low °C (°F) −17.4
(0.7)
−15.0
(5.0)
−12.5
(9.5)
−5.4
(22.3)
−3.9
(25.0)
1.2
(34.2)
0.8
(33.4)
1.1
(34.0)
−4.0
(24.8)
−7.1
(19.2)
−10.4
(13.3)
−19.9
(−3.8)
−19.9
(−3.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 157.3
(6.19)
125.0
(4.92)
112.4
(4.43)
73.2
(2.88)
71.9
(2.83)
80.8
(3.18)
91.9
(3.62)
107.1
(4.22)
109.4
(4.31)
135.7
(5.34)
145.0
(5.71)
160.7
(6.33)
1,370.2
(53.94)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 18.2 15.2 14.9 12.6 12.2 12.8 13.4 14.5 14.3 17.2 18.0 18.0 181.2
Mean monthly sunshine hours 45.9 70.0 106.1 148.2 197.2 159.2 162.7 152.9 117.9 84.9 57.5 41.7 1,344.1
Source: Met Office[93]

Demographics edit

 
Greater Glasgow population density map

In the 1950s, the population of the City of Glasgow area peaked at 1,089,000. Glasgow was then one of the most densely populated cities in the world. After the 1960s, clearances of poverty-stricken inner city areas like the Gorbals and relocation to "new towns" such as East Kilbride and Cumbernauld led to population decline. In addition, the boundaries of the city were changed twice during the late-twentieth century, making direct comparisons difficult.

The urban area continues to expand beyond the city council boundaries into surrounding suburban areas, encompassing around 400 sq mi (1,040 km2) of all adjoining suburbs, if commuter towns and villages are included.[94] There are two distinct definitions for the population of Glasgow: the Glasgow City Council Area which lost the districts of Rutherglen and Cambuslang to South Lanarkshire in 1996, and the Greater Glasgow Urban Area which includes the conurbation around the city (however in the 2016 definitions[95] the aforementioned Rutherglen and Cambuslang were included along with the likes of Paisley, Clydebank, Newton Mearns, Bearsden and Stepps but not others with no continuity of populated postcodes – although in some cases the gap is small – the excluded nearby settlements including Barrhead, Erskine and Kirkintilloch plus a large swathe of Lanarkshire which had been considered contiguous with Glasgow in previous definitions: the 'settlements' named Coatbridge & Airdrie, Hamilton and Motherwell & Wishaw, each containing a number of distinct smaller localities).[4]

Location Population Area Density
Glasgow City Council Area[96] 592,820 67.76 sq mi (175.5 km2) 8,541.8/sq mi (3,298.0/km2)
Greater Glasgow Urban Area[4] 985,290 265 km2 (102 sq mi) 3,775/km2 (9,780/sq mi)
Source: Scotland's Census Results Online[97]

Glasgow's population influx in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was related to economic expansion as well as internally generated growth with the vast majority of newcomers to the city from outside Scotland being from Ireland, especially the north western counties of Donegal, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry. In the 1881 UK Census, 83% of the population was born in Scotland, 13% in Ireland, 3% in England and 1% elsewhere. By 1911, the city was no longer gaining population by migration. The demographic percentages in the 1951 UK census were: born in Scotland 93%, Ireland 3%, England 3% and elsewhere 1%.[25] In the early twentieth century, many Lithuanian refugees began to settle in Glasgow and at its height in the 1950s; there were around 10,000 in the Glasgow area.[98] Many Italian Scots also settled in Glasgow, originating from provinces like Frosinone in Lazio and Lucca in north-west Tuscany at this time, many originally working as "Hokey Pokey" men.[99]

Glasgow compared[102][103]
UK Census 2011 Glasgow Scotland
Total population 599,650 5,295,000
Population growth 2001–2011 2.7% 5.0%
White 88.4% 96.0%
Asian 8.1% 2.7%
Black 2.4% 0.8%
Christian 54.5% 54.0%
Muslim 5.4% 1.4%

In the 1960s and 1970s, many Asians also settled in Glasgow, mainly in the Pollokshields area. These number 30,000 Pakistanis, 15,000 Indians and 3,000 Bangladeshis as well as Chinese people, many of whom settled in the Garnethill area of the city.[citation needed] Since 2000, the UK government has pursued a policy of dispersal of asylum seekers to ease pressure on social housing in the London area. The city is also home to some 8,406 (1.42%) Poles.[102]

Since the United Kingdom Census 2001 the population decline has been reversed. The population was static for a time; but due to migration from other parts of Scotland as well as immigration from overseas, the population has begun to grow. The population of the city council area was 593,245 in 2011[104] and around 2,300,000 people live in the Glasgow travel to work area.[105] This area is defined as consisting of over 10% of residents travelling into Glasgow to work and is without fixed boundaries.[106]

The population density of London following the 2011 census was recorded as 5,200 people per square kilometre, while 3,395 people per square kilometre were registered in Glasgow.[107][108] In 1931, the population density was 16,166/sq mi (6,242/km2), highlighting the "clearances" into the suburbs and new towns that were built to reduce the size of one of Europe's most densely populated cities.[109]

In 2005, Glasgow had the lowest life expectancy of any UK city at 72.9 years.[110] Much was made of this during the 2008 Glasgow East by-election.[111] In 2008, a World Health Organization report about health inequalities, revealing that male life expectancy varied from 54 years in Calton to 82 years in nearby Lenzie, East Dunbartonshire.[112][113]

Areas and suburbs edit

 
Areas of Glasgow. Click to enlarge.

City centre edit

 
The Clyde Arc, also known locally as the "Squinty Bridge"
 
Looking down Buchanan Street towards St Enoch subway station

The city centre is bounded by High Street at Glasgow Cross the historic centre of civic life, up to Glasgow Cathedral at Castle Street; Saltmarket including Glasgow Green and St Andrew's Square to the east; Clyde Street and Broomielaw (along the River Clyde) to the south; and Charing Cross and Elmbank Street, beyond Blythswood Square to the west. The northern boundary (from east to west) follows Cathedral Street to North Hanover Street and George Square.

The city centre is based on a grid system of streets on the north bank of the River Clyde. The heart of the city is George Square, site of many of Glasgow's public statues and the elaborate Victorian Glasgow City Chambers, headquarters of Glasgow City Council.

Most offices, and the largest offices and international headquarters, are in the distinctive streets immediately west of Buchanan Street, starting around 1800 as townhouses, in the architecturally important streets embracing Blythswood Hill, Blythswood Holm further down and now including the Broomielaw next to the Clyde.

To the south and west are the shopping precincts of Argyle Street, Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street, the last featuring more upmarket retailers and winner of the Academy of Urbanism "Great Street Award" 2008.[114] The collection of shops around these streets accumulate to become known as "The Style Mile".[115]

The main shopping areas include Buchanan Street, Buchanan Galleries, linking Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, and the St. Enoch Centre linking Argyle Street and St Enoch Square), with the up-market Princes Square, which specifically features shops such as Ted Baker, Radley and Kurt Geiger.[116] Buchanan Galleries and other city centre locales were chosen as locations for the 2013 film Under the Skin directed by Jonathan Glazer.[117] Although the Glasgow scenes were shot with hidden cameras, star Scarlett Johansson was spotted around town.[118] The Italian Centre in Ingram Street also specialises in designer labels. Glasgow's retail portfolio forms the UK's second largest and most economically important retail sector after Central London.[119][120]

The city centre is home to most of Glasgow's main cultural venues: the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow City Hall, Theatre Royal (performing home of Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet), the Pavilion Theatre, the King's Theatre, Glasgow Film Theatre, Tron Theatre, Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA), Mitchell Library and Theatre, the Centre for Contemporary Arts, McLellan Galleries and the Lighthouse Museum of Architecture. The world's tallest cinema, the eighteen-screen Cineworld, is situated on Renfrew Street.

The city centre is also home to four of Glasgow's higher education institutions: the University of Strathclyde, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow School of Art and Glasgow Caledonian University, and to the largest college in Britain the City of Glasgow College in Cathedral Street.

Merchant City edit

 
The Tolbooth Steeple dominates Glasgow Cross and marks the east side of the Merchant City.

This is the commercial and part-residential district of the Merchant City, a name coined by the historian Charles Oakley in the 1960s. This had started as a residential district of the wealthy city merchants involved in international trade and the textile industries in the 18th and early 19th centuries, with their warehouses nearby, including the Tobacco Lords from whom many of the streets take their name. With its mercantile wealth, and continuing growth even before the Industrial Revolution, the city expanded by creating the New Town around George Square, soon followed by the New Town of Blythswood on Blythswood Hill which includes Blythswood Square.[121] The original medieval centre around Glasgow Cross and the High Street was left behind.

Glasgow Cross, situated at the junction of High Street, leading up to Glasgow Cathedral, Gallowgate, Trongate and Saltmarket was the original centre of the city, symbolised by its Mercat cross. Glasgow Cross encompasses the Tolbooth Steeple, all that remains of the original Glasgow Tolbooth, which was demolished in 1921. Moving northward up High Street towards Rottenrow and Townhead lies the 15th century Glasgow Cathedral and the Provand's Lordship. Due to growing industrial pollution levels in the mid-to-late 19th century, the area fell out of favour with residents.[122]

From the 1980s onwards, the Merchant City has been rejuvenated with luxury city centre flats and warehouse conversions. This regeneration has supported an increasing number of cafés and restaurants.[123] The area is also home to a number of high end boutique style shops and some of Glasgow's most upmarket stores.[124]

The Merchant City is one centre of Glasgow's growing "cultural quarter", based on King Street, the Saltmarket and Trongate, and at the heart of the annual Merchant City Festival. The area has supported a growth in art galleries, the origins of which can be found in the late 1980s when it attracted artist-led organisations that could afford the cheap rents required to operate in vacant manufacturing or retail spaces.[125] The artistic and cultural potential of the Merchant City as a "cultural quarter" was harnessed by independent arts organisations and Glasgow City Council,[125] and the recent development of Trongate 103, which houses galleries, workshops, artist studios and production spaces, is considered a major outcome of the continued partnership between both.[126] The area also contains a number of theatres and concert venues, including the Tron Theatre, the Old Fruitmarket, the Trades Hall, St. Andrew's in the Square, Merchant Square, and the City Halls.[127]

West End edit

 
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is Glasgow's premier museum and art gallery, housing one of Europe's best civic art collections.

Glasgow's West End grew firstly to and around Blythswood Square and Garnethill, extending then to Woodlands Hill and Great Western Road. It is a district of elegant townhouses and tenements with cafés, tea rooms, bars, boutiques, upmarket hotels, clubs and restaurants in the hinterland of Kelvingrove Park, the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, focused especially on the area's main thoroughfares of Argyle Street (Finnieston), Great Western Road and Byres Road. The area is popular with tourists and students.

The West End includes residential areas of Hillhead, Dowanhill, Kelvingrove, Kelvinside, Hyndland, Broomhill, Scotstoun, Jordanhill, Kelvindale, Anniesland and Partick. The name is also increasingly being used to refer to any area to the west of Charing Cross. The West End is bisected by the River Kelvin, which flows from the Campsie Fells in the north and confluences with the River Clyde at Yorkhill Quay.

The spire of Sir George Gilbert Scott's Glasgow University main building (the second largest Gothic Revival building in Great Britain) is a major landmark, and can be seen from miles around, sitting atop Gilmorehill. The university itself is the fourth oldest in the English-speaking world. Much of the city's student population is based in the West End, adding to its cultural vibrancy.

The area is also home to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Kelvin Hall museums and research facilities, stores, and community sport. Adjacent to the Kelvin Hall was the Museum of Transport, which reopened in 2010 after moving to a new location on a former dockland site at Glasgow Harbour where the River Kelvin flows into the Clyde. The new building is built to a design by Zaha Hadid. The West End Festival, one of Glasgow's largest festivals, is held annually in June.

Glasgow is the home of the SECC, Great Britain's largest exhibition and conference centre.[128][129][130] On 30 September 2013, a major expansion of the SECC facilities at the former Queen's Dock by Foster and Partners officially opened – the 13,000-seat Hydro arena. Adjacent to the SECC at Queen's Dock is the Clydeside distillery, a Scotch whisky distillery that opened in 2017 in the former dock pump house.[131]

East End edit

 
People's Palace museum and Winter Garden on Glasgow Green

The East End extends from Glasgow Cross in the City Centre to the boundary with North and South Lanarkshire. It is home to the Glasgow Barrowland market, popularly known as "The Barras",[132] Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow Green, and Celtic Park, home of Celtic FC. Many of the original sandstone tenements remain in this district. The East End was once a major industrial centre, home to Sir William Arrol & Co., James Templeton & Co and William Beardmore and Company. A notable local employer continues to be the Wellpark Brewery, home of Tennent's Lager.

The Glasgow Necropolis Garden Cemetery was created by the Merchants House on a hill above the cathedral in 1831. Routes curve through the landscape uphill to the 21.3-metre-high (70 ft)[133] statue of John Knox at the summit. There are two late 18th century tenements in Gallowgate. Dating from 1771 and 1780, both have been well restored. The construction of Charlotte Street was financed by David Dale, whose former scale can be gauged by the one remaining house, now run by the National Trust for Scotland. Further along Charlotte Street there stands a modern Gillespie, Kidd & Coia building of some note. Once a school, it has been converted into offices. Surrounding these buildings are a series of innovative housing developments conceived as "Homes for the Future", part of a project during the city's year as UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999.[134]

East of Glasgow Cross is St Andrew's in the Square, the oldest post-Reformation church in Scotland, built in 1739–1757 and displaying a Presbyterian grandeur befitting the church of the city's wealthy tobacco merchants. Also close by is the more modest Episcopalian St Andrew's-by-the-Green, the oldest Episcopal church in Scotland. The Episcopalian St Andrew's was also known as the "Whistlin' Kirk" due to it being the first church after the Reformation to own an organ.

 
The Doulton Fountain in Glasgow Green

Overlooking Glasgow Green is the façade of Templeton On The Green, featuring vibrant polychromatic brickwork intended to evoke the Doge's Palace in Venice.[135]

The extensive Tollcross Park was originally developed from the estate of James Dunlop, the owner of a local steelworks. His large baronial mansion was built in 1848 by David Bryce, which later housed the city's Children's Museum until the 1980s. Today, the mansion is a sheltered housing complex.

The new Scottish National Indoor Sports Arena, a modern replacement for the Kelvin Hall, is in Dalmarnock. The area was the site of the Athletes' Village for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, located adjacent to the new indoor sports arena.

The East End Healthy Living Centre (EEHLC) was established in mid-2005 at Crownpoint Road with Lottery Funding and City grants to serve community needs in the area. Now called the Glasgow Club Crownpoint Sports Complex, the centre provides service such as sports facilities, health advice, stress management, leisure and vocational classes.[136] To the north of the East End lie the two large gasometers of Provan Gas Works, which stand overlooking Alexandra Park and a major interchange between the M8 and M80 motorways.[137][138][139]

South Side edit

 
Pacific Quay sits within the south side of Glasgow, and is home to some of the city's largest businesses and employers.
 
The regeneration of Glasgow Harbour has saw the construction of many high rise buildings
 
Enterace to Glasgow Harbour in 2019

Glasgow's South Side sprawls out south of the Clyde. The adjoining urban area includes some of Greater Glasgow's most affluent suburban towns, such as Newton Mearns, Clarkston, and Giffnock, all of which are in East Renfrewshire, as well as Thorntonhall in South Lanarkshire. Newlands and Dumbreck are examples of high-value residential districts within the city boundaries. There are many areas containing a high concentration of sandstone tenements like Shawlands, which is considered the "Heart of the Southside", with other examples being Battlefield, Govanhill and Mount Florida.[140] The large suburb of Pollokshields comprises both a quiet western part with undulating tree-lined boulevards lined with expensive villas, and a busier eastern part with a high-density grid of tenements and small shops. The south side also includes some post-war housing estates of various sizes such as Toryglen, Pollok, Castlemilk and Arden. The towns of Cambuslang and Rutherglen were included in the City of Glasgow district from 1975 to 1996, but are now in the South Lanarkshire council area.[141][142][143]

Although predominantly residential, the area does have several notable public buildings including, Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Scotland Street School Museum and House for an Art Lover; the Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park; Alexander "Greek" Thomson's Holmwood House villa; the National Football Stadium Hampden Park in Mount Florida (home of Queens Park FC) and Ibrox Stadium (home of Rangers FC).

The former docklands site at Pacific Quay on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the SECC, is the site of the Glasgow Science Centre and the headquarters of BBC Scotland and STV Group (owner of STV), in a new purpose-built digital media campus.

In addition, several new bridges spanning the River Clyde have been built, including the Clyde Arc known by locals as the Squinty Bridge at Pacific Quay and others at Tradeston and Springfield Quay.

The South Side also includes many public parks, including Linn Park, Queen's Park, and Bellahouston Park and several golf clubs, including the championship course at Haggs Castle. The South Side is also home to the large Pollok Country Park, which was awarded the accolade of Europe's Best Park 2008.[144] The southside also directly borders Rouken Glen Park in neighbouring Giffnock. Pollok Park is Glasgow's largest park and until the early 2000s was the only country park in the city's boundary. In the early 2000s the Dams to Darnley Country Park was designated, although half of the park is in East Renfrewshire. As of 2021 the facilities at the still new park are quite lacking.

Govan is a district and former burgh in the south-western part of the city. It is situated on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite Partick. It was an administratively independent Police Burgh from 1864 until it was incorporated into the expanding city of Glasgow in 1912. Govan has a legacy as an engineering and shipbuilding centre of international repute and is home to one of two BAE Systems Surface Ships shipyards on the River Clyde and the precision engineering firm, Thales Optronics. It is also home to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the country, and the maintenance depot for the Glasgow Subway system. The wider Govan area includes the districts of Ibrox, Cessnock, Kinning Park and Kingston.

North Glasgow edit

 
Ruchill Church, seen from the Forth and Clyde Canal

North Glasgow extends out from the north of the city centre towards the affluent suburbs of Bearsden, Milngavie and Bishopbriggs in East Dunbartonshire and Clydebank in West Dunbartonshire. The area also contains some of the city's poorest residential areas.

This has led to large-scale redevelopment of much of the poorer housing stock in north Glasgow, and the wider regeneration of many areas, such as Ruchill, which have been transformed; many run-down tenements have now been refurbished or replaced by modern housing estates. Much of the housing stock in north Glasgow is rented social housing, with a high proportion of high-rise tower blocks, managed by the North Glasgow Housing Association trading as NG Homes and Glasgow Housing Association.

Maryhill consists of well maintained traditional sandstone tenements. Although historically a working class area, its borders with the upmarket West End of the city mean that it is relatively wealthy compared to the rest of the north of the city, containing affluent areas such as Maryhill Park and North Kelvinside. Maryhill is also the location of Firhill Stadium, home of Partick Thistle F.C. since 1909. The junior team, Maryhill F.C. are also located in this part of north Glasgow.

The Forth and Clyde Canal passes through this part of the city, and at one stage formed a vital part of the local economy. It was for many years polluted and largely unused after the decline of heavy industry, but recent efforts to regenerate and re-open the canal to navigation have seen it rejuvenated, including art campuses at Port Dundas.

Sighthill was home to Scotland's largest asylum seeker community but the area is now regenerated as part of the Youth Olympic Games bid.[145]

A huge part of the economic life of Glasgow was once located in Springburn, where the Saracen Foundry, engineering works of firms like Charles Tennant and locomotive workshops employed many Glaswegians. Glasgow dominated this type of manufacturing, with 25% of all the world's locomotives being built in the area at one stage. It was home to the headquarters of the North British Locomotive Company. Today part of the Glasgow Works continues in use as a railway maintenance facility, all that is left of the industry in Springburn. It is proposed for closure in 2019.[146]

Culture edit

 
Established by wealthy tobacco merchant Stephen Mitchell, the Mitchell Library is now one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe.

The city has many amenities for a wide range of cultural activities, from curling to opera and ballet and from football to art appreciation; it also has a large selection of museums that include those devoted to transport, religion, and modern art. Many of the city's cultural sites were celebrated in 1990 when Glasgow was designated European Capital of Culture.[147]

The city's principal municipal library, the Mitchell Library, has grown into one of the largest public reference libraries in Europe, currently housing some 1.3 million books, an extensive collection of newspapers and thousands of photographs and maps.[148] Of academic libraries, Glasgow University Library started in the 15th century and is one of the oldest and largest libraries in Europe, with unique and distinctive collections of international status.[149]

Most of Scotland's national arts organisations are based in Glasgow, including Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, National Theatre of Scotland, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Youth Theatre.

Glasgow has its own "Poet Laureate", a post created in 1999 for Edwin Morgan[150] and occupied by Liz Lochhead from 2005[151] until 2011, when she stood down to take up the position of Scots Makar.[152] Jim Carruth was appointed to the position of Poet Laureate for Glasgow in 2014 as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.[153]

In 2013, PETA declared Glasgow to be the most vegan-friendly city in the UK.[154]

Recreation edit

Glasgow is home to major theatres including the Theatre Royal, the King's Theatre, Pavilion Theatre and the Citizens Theatre and home to many museums and art galleries, the largest and most famous being the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, Burrell Collection, and the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA). Most of the museums and galleries in Glasgow are publicly owned and free to enter.

The city has hosted many exhibitions over the years from the 1888 International Exhibition and 1901 International Exhibition to the Empire Exhibition 1938, including more recently The Glasgow Garden Festival in 1988, being the UK City of Architecture 1999, European Capital of Culture 1990, National City of Sport 1995–1999 and European Capital of Sport 2003. Glasgow has also hosted the National Mòd no less than twelve times since 1895.[155]

In addition, unlike the older and larger Edinburgh Festival (where all Edinburgh's main festivals occur in the last three weeks of August), Glasgow's festivals fill the calendar. Festivals include the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, Glasgow International Jazz Festival, Celtic Connections, Glasgow Fair, Glasgow Film Festival, West End Festival, Merchant City Festival, Glasgay, and the World Pipe Band Championships.

Music scene edit

 
The OVO Hydro arena is the second-busiest arena venue in the world.[156]
 
The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

The city is home to numerous orchestras, ensembles and bands including those of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and related to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Universities and Colleges. Choirs of all type are well supported. Glasgow has many live music venues, pubs, and clubs. Some of the city's more well-known venues include the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The OVO Hydro, the SECC, Glasgow Cathouse, The Art School, King Tut's Wah Wah Hut (where Oasis were spotted and signed by Glaswegian record mogul Alan McGee), the Queen Margaret Union (who have Kurt Cobain's footprint locked in a safe), the Barrowland, a ballroom converted into a live music venue as well as The Garage, which is the largest nightclub in Scotland. More recent mid-sized venues include ABC, destroyed in the art school fire of 15 June 2018, and the O2 Academy, which play host to a similar range of acts. There are also a large number of smaller venues and bars, which host many local and touring musicians, including Stereo, 13th Note and Nice N Sleazy. Most recent recipient of the SLTN Music Pub of the Year award was Bar Bloc, awarded in November 2011.[157] In 2010, Glasgow was named the UK's fourth "most musical" city by PRS for Music.[158] Glasgow is also the "most mentioned city in the UK" in song titles, outside London according, to a chart produced by PRS for music, with 119, ahead of closest rivals Edinburgh who received 95 mentions[159]

Since the 1980s, the success of bands such as The Blue Nile, Gun, Simple Minds, Del Amitri, Texas, Hipsway, Love & Money, Idlewild, Deacon Blue, Orange Juice, Lloyd Cole and the Commotions, Teenage Fanclub, Belle and Sebastian, Camera Obscura, Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai, Travis, and Primal Scream has significantly boosted the profile of the Glasgow music scene, prompting Time magazine to liken Glasgow to Detroit during its 1960s Motown heyday.[160] More recent[when?] successes include The Fratellis, Chvrches, Rustie, Vukovi, Glasvegas and Twin Atlantic. The city of Glasgow was appointed a UNESCO City of Music on 20 August 2008 as part of the Creative Cities Network.

Glasgow's contemporary dance music scene has been spearheaded by Slam, and their record label Soma Quality Recordings,[161] with their Pressure club nights attracting DJs and clubbers from around the world; these nights were hosted by The Arches but moved to Sub Club after the closure of the former in 2015, also taking place at the SWG3 arts venue. The Sub Club has regularly been nominated as one of the best clubs in the world.[162][163]

The MOBO Awards were held at the SECC on 30 September 2009, making Glasgow the first city outside London to host the event since its launch in 1995. On 9 November 2014, Glasgow hosted the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards at The OVO Hydro, it was the second time Scotland hosted the show since 2003 in Edinburgh and overall the fifth time that the United Kingdom has hosted the show since 2011 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The event was hosted by Nicki Minaj and featured performances from Ariana Grande, Enrique Iglesias, Ed Sheeran, U2 and Slash.

Media edit

 
Glasgow is home to the HQ of BBC Scotland in Pacific Quay.
 
STV has its HQ located in Glasgow.

There have been hundreds of films made about Glasgow or in Glasgow.[164]

Both BBC Scotland and STV have their headquarters in Glasgow. Television programs filmed in Glasgow include Rab C. Nesbitt, Taggart, Tutti Frutti, High Times, River City, City Lights, Chewin' the Fat, Still Game, Limmy's Show and Lovesick. Most recently the long-running series Question Time and the early evening quiz programme Eggheads moved its production base to the city. Most National Lottery game shows are also filmed in Glasgow. children's game show Copycats is filmed there, and the Irish/UK programme Mrs. Brown's Boys is filmed at BBC Scotland.

The Scottish press publishes various newspapers in the city such as The Evening Times , The Herald, The Sunday Herald, the Sunday Mail and the Daily Record. Scottish editions of Trinity Mirror and News International titles are printed in the city. STV Group is a Glasgow-based media conglomerate with interests in television, and publishing advertising. STV Group owns and operates both Scottish ITV franchises (Central Scotland and Grampian), both branded STV. Glasgow also had its own television channel, STV Glasgow, which launched in June 2014, which also shows some of Glasgow's own programs filmed at the STV headquarters in Glasgow. Shows included The Riverside Show, Scottish Kitchen, City Safari, Football Show and Live at Five. STV Glasgow merged with STV Edinburgh to form STV2 in April 2017 which eventually closed in June 2018.

Various radio stations are also located in Glasgow. BBC Radio Scotland, the national radio broadcaster for Scotland, is located in the BBC's Glasgow headquarters alongside its Gaelic-language sister station, which is also based in Stornoway. Bauer Radio owns the principal commercial radio stations in Glasgow: Clyde 1 and Greatest Hits Radio Glasgow & The West, which can reach over 2.3 million listeners.[165] In 2004, STV Group plc (then known as SMG plc) sold its 27.8% stake in Scottish Radio Holdings to the broadcasting group EMAP for £90.5 million. Other stations broadcasting from Glasgow include Smooth Scotland, Heart Scotland, which are owned by Global. Global Radio's Central Scotland radio station Capital Scotland also broadcasts from studios in Glasgow. Nation Radio Scotland, owned by Nation Broadcasting, also broadcasts from the city. The city has a strong community radio sector, including Celtic Music Radio, Subcity Radio, Radio Magnetic, Sunny Govan Radio, AWAZ FM and Insight Radio.

Religion edit

Protestant/Catholic affiliation in Glasgow (2011 census)
Church of Scotland
Roman Catholic

Glasgow is a city of significant religious diversity. The Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church are the two largest Christian denominations in the city. There are 147 congregations in the Church of Scotland's Presbytery of Glasgow (of which 104 are within the city boundaries, the other 43 being in adjacent areas).[166] Within the city boundaries there are 65 parishes of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow[167] and four parishes of the Diocese of Motherwell.[168] The city has four Christian cathedrals: Glasgow Cathedral, of the Church of Scotland; St Andrew's Cathedral, of the Roman Catholic Church; St Mary's Cathedral, of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and St Luke's Cathedral, of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Baptist Church and Salvation Army are well represented.

 
Glasgow Cathedral marks the site where Saint Mungo built his church and established Glasgow.

The Protestant churches are the largest in number, including Baptist, Episcopalian, Methodist and Presbyterian. 32% of the population follow the Protestant Church of Scotland whilst 29% following the Roman Catholic Church, according to the 2001 census (Christians overall form 65%).[169] Much of the city's Roman Catholic population are those of Irish ancestry. The divisions between the two denominations and their respective communities play a major part in sectarianism in Glasgow, in a similar nature to that of Northern Ireland, although not segregated territorially as in Belfast.[170][171]

Biblical unitarians are represented by three Christadelphian ecclesias, referred to geographically, as "South",[172] "Central"[173] and "Kelvin".[174]

The Sikh community is served by four Gurdwaras. Two are situated in the West End (Central Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Sandyford and Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Kelvinbridge) and two in the Southside area of Pollokshields (Guru Granth Sahib Gurdwara and Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara). In 2013, Scotland's first purpose-built Gurdwara opened in a massive opening ceremony. Built at a cost of £3.8M, it can hold 1,500 worshippers.[175] Central Gurdwara is currently constructing a new building in the city. There are almost 10,000 Sikhs in Scotland and the majority live in Glasgow.[176]

Glasgow Central Mosque in the Gorbals district is the largest mosque in Scotland and, along with twelve other mosques in the city, caters for the city's Muslim population, estimated to number 33,000.[177] Glasgow also has a Hindu mandir.

Glasgow has seven synagogues, including the Romanesque-revival Garnethill Synagogue in the city centre. Glasgow currently has the seventh largest Jewish population in the United Kingdom after London, Manchester, Leeds, Gateshead, Brighton and Bournemouth but once had a Jewish population second only to London, estimated at 20,000 in the Gorbals alone.[178]

In 1993, the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art opened in Glasgow. It is believed to be the only public museum to examine all the world's major religious faiths.[179][180]

Language edit

Glasgow is Scotland's main locus of Gaelic language use outside the Highlands and Islands. In 2011, 5,878 residents of the city over age 3 spoke Gaelic, amounting to 1.0% of the population. Of Scotland's 25 largest cities and towns, only Inverness, the unofficial capital of the Highlands, has a higher percentage of Gaelic speakers.[181] In the Greater Glasgow area there were 8,899 Gaelic-speakers, amounting to 0.8% of the population.[182] Both the Gaelic language television station BBC Alba and the Gaelic language radio station BBC Radio nan Gàidheal have studios in Glasgow, their only locations outside the Highlands and Islands.[183]

Architecture edit

 
The design of the SEC Armadillo is inspired by Glasgow's shipbuilding history, with flat sheet material cladded to framed hulls[184]
 
The Riverside Museum situated on the banks of the River Clyde
 
The Red Road Flats (far right) were the tallest residential buildings in Europe when completed[185]

Very little of medieval Glasgow remains; the two main landmarks from this period being the 15th-century Provand's Lordship and 13th-century St. Mungo's Cathedral, although the original medieval street plan (along with many of the street names) on the eastern side of the city centre has largely survived intact. Also in the 15th century began the building of Cathcart Castle, completed c. 1450 with a view over the landscape in all directions. It was at this castle Mary Queen of Scots supposedly spent the night before her defeat at the Battle of Langside in May 1568. The castle was demolished in 1980 for safety reasons. The vast majority of the central city area as seen today dates from the 19th century. As a result, Glasgow has a heritage of Victorian architecture: the Glasgow City Chambers; the main building of the University of Glasgow, designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott; and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, designed by Sir John W. Simpson, are notable examples.

The city is notable for architecture designed by the Glasgow School, the most notable exponent of that style being Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh was an architect and designer in the Arts and Crafts Movement and the main exponent of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom, designing numerous noted Glasgow buildings such as the Glasgow School of Art, Willow Tearooms and the Scotland Street School Museum. A hidden gem of Glasgow, also designed by Mackintosh, is the Queen's Cross Church, the only church by the renowned artist to be built.[186]

Another architect who has had an enduring impact on the city's appearance is Alexander Thomson, with notable examples including the Holmwood House villa, and likewise Sir John James Burnet, awarded the R.I.B.A.'s Royal Gold Medal for his lifetime's service to architecture. The buildings reflect the wealth and self-confidence of the residents of the "Second City of the Empire". Glasgow generated immense wealth from trade and the industries that developed from the Industrial Revolution. The shipyards, marine engineering, steel making, and heavy industry all contributed to the growth of the city.

Many of the city's most impressive buildings were built with red or blond sandstone, but during the industrial era those colours disappeared under a pervasive black layer of soot and pollutants from the furnaces, until the Clean Air Act was introduced in 1956. There are over 1,800 listed buildings in the city, of architectural and historical importance, and 23 Conservation Areas extending over 1,471 hectares (3,630 acres). Such areas include the Central Area, Dennistoun, the West End, Pollokshields – the first major planned garden suburb in Britain – Newlands and the village of Carmunnock.[187]

Modern buildings in Glasgow include the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, and along the banks of the Clyde are the Glasgow Science Centre, The OVO Hydro and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, whose Clyde Auditorium was designed by Sir Norman Foster, and is colloquially known as the "Armadillo". In 2006 Zaha Hadid won a competition to design the new Museum of Transport.[188] Hadid's museum opened on the waterfront in 2011 and has been renamed the Riverside Museum to reflect the change in location and to celebrate Glasgow's rich industrial heritage stemming from the Clyde.[189]

Glasgow's historical and modern architectural traditions were celebrated in 1999 when the city was designated UK City of Architecture and Design,[190] winning the accolade over Liverpool and Edinburgh.[191]

Economy edit

Economic overview edit

 
A view towards the city centre of Glasgow, home to some of Scotland's largest industries and employers

Glasgow has the largest economy in Scotland[9] and is at the hub of the metropolitan area of West Central Scotland. The city itself sustains more than 410,000 jobs in over 12,000 companies. Over 153,000 jobs were created in the city between 2000 and 2005 – a growth rate of 32%.[192] Glasgow's annual economic growth rate of 4.4% is now second only to that of London. In 2005, over 17,000 new jobs were created, and 2006 saw private-sector investment in the city reaching £4.2 billion, an increase of 22% in a single year.[193] 55% of the residents in the Greater Glasgow area commute to the city every day.

Once dominant export orientated manufacturing industries such as shipbuilding and other heavy engineering have been gradually replaced in importance by more diversified forms of economic activity, although major manufacturing firms continue to be headquartered in the city, such as Aggreko, Weir Group, Clyde Blowers, Howden, Linn Products, Firebrand Games, William Grant & Sons, Whyte and Mackay, The Edrington Group, British Polar Engines and Albion Motors.[194]

Economic history edit

 
RMS Queen Mary is largely regarded as a sign of Glaswegian powerhouse shipbuilding industry.

Glasgow was once one of the most significant cities in the UK for manufacturing, which generated a great deal of the city's wealth; the most prominent industry being shipbuilding based on the River Clyde.[195] Among the historic vessels constructed there were the famed tea clipper Cutty Sark, the Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS Hood, and the transatlantic luxury liners Aquitania, RMS Queen Mary, RMS Queen Elizabeth, and RMS Queen Elizabeth II. Although Glasgow owed much of its economic growth to the shipbuilding industry, which still continues today in the form of Ferguson Marine and BAE Systems Maritime - Naval Ships' two shipyards, the city has its roots in the tobacco trade and is noted to have "risen from its medieval slumber" from trade in tobacco, pioneered by figures such as John Glassford.[196] The city was also noted for its locomotive construction industry – led by firms such as the North British Locomotive Company – which grew during the 19th century before entering a decline in the 1960s.

Whilst manufacturing has declined, Glasgow's economy has seen significant relative growth of tertiary sector industries such as financial and business services (centred around the International Financial Services District on the Broomielaw, once a stretch of riverside warehouses replaced by modern office blocks), communications, biosciences, creative industries, healthcare, higher education, retail and tourism.[197] Glasgow is now the second most popular foreign tourist destination in Scotland (fifth in the UK)[198] and offers Scotland's largest retail centre.

Between 1998 and 2001, the city's financial services sector grew at a rate of 30%, making considerable gains on Edinburgh, which has historically been the centre of the Scottish financial sector.[199][200] Glasgow is now one of Europe's sixteen largest financial centres,[201] with a growing number of Blue chip financial sector companies establishing significant operations or headquarters in the city.[202]

 
Developments, such as Buchanan Wharf, are a symbol of Glasgow's financial dominance

The 1990s and first decade of the 21st century saw substantial growth in the number of call centres based in Glasgow. In 2007 roughly 20,000 people, a third of all call centre employees in Scotland, were employed by Glasgow call centres.[203] This growth and its high use of recruitment agencies to hire graduates as temporary workers has led to accusations of exploitative practices such as long hours, poor pay and lack of job security by the TUC and other union bodies.[204]

The city's main manufacturing industries include companies involved in; shipbuilding, engineering, construction, brewing and distilling, printing and publishing, chemicals and textiles as well as newer growth sectors such as optoelectronics, software development and biotechnology.[205] Glasgow forms the western part of the Silicon Glen high tech sector of Scotland with consumer electronics companies such as RHA Technologies headquartered.

International Financial Services District edit

 
The International Financial Services District alongside the River Clyde

To the western edge of the city centre, occupying the areas of Blythswood Hill and Anderston, lies Glasgow's financial district, known officially as the International Financial Services District (IFSD), although often irreverently nicknamed by the contemporary press as the "square kilometre" or "Wall Street on Clyde".[206] Since the late 1980s the construction of many modern office blocks and high rise developments have paved the way for the IFSD to become one of the UK's largest financial quarters. With a reputation as an established financial services centre, coupled with comprehensive support services, Glasgow continues to attract and grow new business.

Of the 10 largest general insurance companies in the UK, 8 have a base or head office in Glasgow – including Direct Line, Esure, AXA and Norwich Union. Key banking sector companies have also moved some of their services to commercial property in Glasgow – Resolution, JPMorgan Chase, Barclays Wealth, Tesco Personal Finance, Morgan Stanley, Lloyds Banking Group, Clydesdale Bank, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Santander and the Royal Bank of Scotland. The Ministry of Defence have several departments and Clydeport, the Glasgow Stock Exchange, Student Loans Company, Scottish Executive Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department, BT Group, Scottish Friendly. Scottish Qualifications Authority and Scottish Enterprise also have their headquarters in the district. Royal Dutch Shell also have one of their six worldwide Shared Business Centres located in the IFSD. Hilton has a corporate office based in the area.

Transport edit

Public transport edit

 
Glasgow Central station is the northern terminus of the West Coast Main Line.

Glasgow has a large urban transport system, mostly managed by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

 
Glasgow Queen Street station is the main connection for rail services to Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.

The city has many bus services; since bus deregulation almost all are provided by private operators, though SPT part-funds some services. The principal bus operators within the city are: First Glasgow, McGill's Bus Services, Stagecoach West Scotland and Glasgow Citybus. The main bus terminal in the city is Buchanan bus station.

Glasgow has the most extensive urban rail network in the UK outside London, with rail services travelling to a large part of the West of Scotland. Most lines were electrified under British Rail. All trains running within Scotland, including the local Glasgow trains, are operated by ScotRail, which is owned by the Scottish Government. Central station and Queen Street station are the two main railway terminals. Glasgow Central is the terminus of the 642 km (399 mi) long West Coast Main Line[207] from London Euston, as well as TransPennine Express services from Manchester and CrossCountry services from Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth and various other destinations in England. Glasgow Central is also the terminus for suburban services on the south side of Glasgow, Ayrshire and Inverclyde, as well as being served by the cross city link from Dalmuir to Motherwell. Most other services within Scotland – the main line to Edinburgh, plus services to Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and the Western Highlands – operate from Queen Street station.

 
Buchanan Bus Station is the main bus terminal within Glasgow.

The city's suburban network is currently divided by the River Clyde and the Crossrail Glasgow initiative has been proposed to link them; it is currently awaiting funding from the Scottish Government. The city is linked to Edinburgh by four direct railway links. In addition to the suburban rail network, SPT operates the Glasgow Subway. The Subway is the United Kingdom's only completely underground metro system and is generally recognised as the world's third oldest underground railway after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro.[208] Both railway and subway stations have a number of park and ride facilities.

As part of the wider regeneration along the banks of the River Clyde, a bus rapid transit system called Clyde Fastlink is operational between Glasgow City Centre to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.[209]

Shipping edit

Global-ship-management is carried out by maritime and logistics firms in Glasgow, in client companies employing over 100,000 seafarers. This reflects maritime skills over many decades and the training and education of deck officers and marine engineers from around the world at the City of Glasgow College, Nautical Campus, from which graduate around one third of all such graduates in the United Kingdom.[210]

The main operational dock within Glasgow operated by Clydeport is the King George V Dock, near Braehead. Since the advent of containerisation, most other facilities, such as Hunterston Terminal, are located in the deep waters of the Firth of Clyde, which together handle some 7.5 million tonnes of cargo each year. Longer distant commercial sea shipping from Glasgow occurs regularly to many European destinations, including Mediterranean and Baltic ports via passage through the Sea of the Hebrides.[211]

Leisure and tourist sailing is important, at marinas and towns of the Clyde, including the PS Waverley, the world's last operational seagoing paddle-steamer.[212]

Roads edit

 
The M8, which crosses the Clyde over the Kingston Bridge, is Scotland's busiest motorway.

The main M8 motorway passes around the city centre and connects with the M77, M74, M73 and M80 motorways, all of which pass within the city's boundaries. The A82 connects Glasgow to Argyll and the western Highlands. The M74 runs directly south towards Carlisle.

Other strategic roads in the city include the East End Regeneration Route, which provides easier access to areas of the East End, linking the M8 to the extended M74.

Airports edit

 
Glasgow Airport is the largest of the two airports that serve Glasgow

There are three international airports within 45 minutes travel of the city centre, as well as a centrally located seaplane terminal. Two airports are dedicated to Glasgow, and Edinburgh International airport, situated on the west side of Edinburgh, is not far from Glasgow. These airports are Glasgow Airport (GLA) (eight mi or thirteen km west of the city centre) in Renfrewshire, Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) (30 mi or 50 km southwest) in Ayrshire, Edinburgh Airport (EDI), (34 mi or 55 km east) in Edinburgh and Glasgow Seaplane Terminal, by the Glasgow Science Centre on the River Clyde. There are also several smaller, domestic and private airports around the city. There is a heliport, Glasgow City Heliport, located at Stobcross Quay on the banks of the Clyde.

All of the international airports are easily accessible by public transport, with GLA and EDI directly linked by a bus routes from the main bus station and a direct rail connection to PIK from Glasgow Central Station. A series of proposals to provide a direct rail link to Glasgow International Airport have ended unsuccessfully, beginning with the Glasgow Airport Rail Link in 2009.[213] As of 2019, local authorities have approved plans for a "Glasgow Metro", including a connection to the International Airport.[214]

Housing edit

 
Typical red sandstone Glasgow terrace

Glasgow is known for its tenements; the red and blond sandstone buildings are some of the most recognisable features of the city.[215] These were the most popular form of housing in 19th- and 20th-century Glasgow, and remain the most common form of dwelling in Glasgow today. Tenements are commonly bought by a wide range of social types and are favoured for their large rooms, high ceilings and original period features.[216] The Hyndland area of Glasgow became the first tenement conservation area in the UK[217] and includes some tenement houses with as many as six bedrooms.

Like many cities in the UK, Glasgow witnessed the construction of high-rise housing in tower blocks in the 1960s, along with large overspill estates on the periphery of the city, in areas like Pollok, Nitshill, Castlemilk, Easterhouse, Milton and Drumchapel.[218] These were built to replace the decaying inner-city tenement buildings originally built for workers who migrated from the surrounding countryside, the Highlands, and the rest of the United Kingdom, particularly Ireland, to feed the local demand for labour.[219] The massive demand at that time outstripped the pace of new building, and many originally fine tenements often became overcrowded and unsanitary.[220] Many degenerated into infamous slums, such as the Gorbals.

 
20th-century-style houses within the neighbourhood of Hillsborough Road

Efforts to improve this housing situation, most successfully with the City Improvement Trust in the late 19th century, cleared the slums of the old town areas such as the Trongate, High Street and Glasgow Cross.[221] Subsequent urban renewal initiatives, such as those motivated by the Bruce Report, entailed the comprehensive demolition of slum tenement areas, the development of new towns on the periphery of the city, and the construction of tower blocks.

The policy of tenement demolition is now considered to have been short-sighted, wasteful and largely unsuccessful.[222] Many of Glasgow's worst tenements were refurbished into desirable accommodation in the 1970s and 1980s[222] and the policy of demolition is considered to have destroyed many fine examples of a "universally admired architectural" style.[216] The Glasgow Housing Association took ownership of the housing stock from the city council on 7 March 2003, and has begun a £96 million clearance and demolition programme to clear and demolish many of the high-rise flats.[223]

Healthcare edit

 
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is the largest hospital campus in Europe.

Medical care is mainly provided by NHS Scotland and is directly administered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Major hospitals, including those with Accident & Emergency provision, are: the Western Infirmary, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Dental Hospital in the city Centre, Stobhill Hospital in the North and the Victoria Infirmary and Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in the South Side. Gartnavel Royal Hospital and The Priory are the two major psychiatric hospitals based in Glasgow.

The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) Campus is a 1,677-bed acute hospital located in Govan in the south-west of Glasgow. The hospital is built on the site of the former Southern General Hospital and opened at the end of April 2015. The hospital comprises a newly built 1,109-bed adult hospital, a 256-bed children's hospital and two major A&E departments, one for adults and one for children in addition to buildings retained from the former hospital. The QEUH is the Regional Major Trauma Centre for the west of Scotland[224] and is also the largest hospital campus in Europe.[225]

There is also an emergency telephone service provided by NHS 24 and 24-hour access to general practitioners through out-of-hours centres. Paramedic services are provided by the Scottish Ambulance Service and supported by voluntary bodies like the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association. A strong teaching tradition is maintained between the city's main hospitals and the University of Glasgow Medical School.

All pharmacies provide a wide range of services including minor ailment advice, emergency hormonal contraception, public health advice, some provide oxygen and needle exchange.

There are private clinics and hospitals at the Nuffield in the west end and Ross Hall in the south side of the city.

Education edit

 
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and among the world's top 100 universities.

Glasgow is a major centre of higher and academic research, with the following universities and colleges within 10 mi (16 km) of the city centre:

In 2011 Glasgow had 53,470 full-time students aged 18–74 resident in the city during term time, more than any other city in Scotland and the fifth-highest number in the United Kingdom outside London.[235] The majority of those who live away from home reside in Shawlands, Dennistoun and the West End of the city.[236]

The City Council operates 29 secondary schools, 149 primary schools and three specialist schools – the Dance School of Scotland, Glasgow School of Sport and the Glasgow Gaelic School (Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu), the only secondary school in Scotland to teach exclusively in Gaelic. Outdoor Education facilities are provided by the city council at the Blairvadach Centre, near Helensburgh. Jordanhill School is operated directly by the Scottish Government. Glasgow also has a number of Independent schools, including The High School of Glasgow, founded in 1124 and the oldest school in Scotland; Hutchesons' Grammar School, founded in 1639 and one of the oldest school institutions in Scotland; and others such as Craigholme School (closed 2020), Glasgow Academy, Kelvinside Academy and St. Aloysius' College. Glasgow is part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.[237]

Sport edit

Football edit

 
Glasgow is home to Hampden Park, home of the Scotland national football team.

The world's first international football match was held in 1872 at the West of Scotland Cricket Club's Hamilton Crescent ground in the Partick area of the city. The match, between Scotland and England finished 0–0.[238]

Glasgow was the first city (since joined by Liverpool in 1985, Madrid in 1986, 2014, 2016 and 2018, Milan in 1994 and London in 2019) to have had two football teams in European finals in the same season:[239] in 1967, Celtic competed in and won the European Cup final, with rivals Rangers competing in the Cup Winners' Cup final. Rangers were the first football club from the United Kingdom to reach a European final, doing so in 1961. They have also won more domestic top-tier league titles than any other football club in the world (currently 55). Celtic were the first non-Latin club to win the European Cup, under the management of Jock Stein in 1967, before Manchester United the following year. Celtic also went on to reach another European Cup Final in 1970, losing to Feyenoord, and also the final of the UEFA Cup in 2003, where they lost an enthralling match which finished 3–2 to Portuguese club Porto. Rangers also reached the final of the same competition in 2008, where they lost to Zenit Saint Petersburg of Russia.[240]

Hampden Park, which is Scotland's national football stadium, holds the European record for attendance at a football match: 149,547[241] saw Scotland beat England 3–1 in 1937, in the days before leading British stadia became all-seated. Hampden Park has hosted the final of the UEFA Champions League on three occasions, most recently in 2002 and hosted the UEFA Cup Final in 2007. Celtic Park (60,411 seats) is located in the east end of Glasgow, and Ibrox Stadium (50,817 seats) on the south side.[242]

Glasgow has four professional football clubs, who all play in the SPFL: Celtic, Rangers, Partick Thistle, and Queen's Park (after their move from amateur status in November 2019). Prior to this, Glasgow had two other professional teams: Clyde (now playing in Hamilton) and Third Lanark (liquidated in 1967), plus four others active in the league in the 19th century: Thistle, Cowlairs, Northern and Linthouse. There are a number of West of Scotland Football League clubs within the city as well, such as Pollok, Maryhill, Benburb, Ashfield, Glasgow Perthshire F.C., Glasgow United (formerly Shettleston Juniors), and Petershill, plus numerous amateur teams.[243]

The history of football in the city, as well as the status of the Old Firm, attracts many visitors to football matches in the city throughout the season. The Scottish Football Association, the national governing body, and the Scottish Football Museum are based in Glasgow, as are the Scottish Professional Football League, Scottish Junior Football Association and Scottish Amateur Football Association. The Glasgow Cup was a once popular tournament, which was competed for by Rangers, Celtic, Clyde, Partick Thistle and Queen's Park. The competition is now played for by the youth sides of the five teams.

Glasgow is also home to six women's football teams. Currently, Glasgow City are the champions of the Scottish Women's Premier League.[244] Other local teams include Glasgow Girls and the women's sections of the men's clubs: Celtic and Rangers play in the top division.

Club Founded League Venue Capacity
Celtic F.C. 1888 Scottish Premiership Celtic Park 60,411[245]
Rangers F.C. 1872 Scottish Premiership Ibrox Stadium 50,817[246]
Partick Thistle F.C. 1876 Scottish Championship Firhill Stadium 10,102[247]
Queen's Park F.C. 1867 Scottish Championship Ochilview Park 3,746[247]

Rugby union edit

Glasgow has a professional rugby union club, the Glasgow Warriors, which plays in the European Rugby Champions Cup and Pro14 alongside teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. The Warriors current home is Scotstoun Stadium and has been since 2012, previously they played at Firhill Stadium. They have won the Melrose 7s in both 2014 and 2015 and were also crowned champions of the Pro12 at the end of the 2014/15 season after beating Irish side Munster in Belfast.[248]

In the Scottish League, Glasgow Hawks RFC was formed in 1997 by the merger of two of Glasgow's oldest clubs: Glasgow Academicals and Glasgow High Kelvinside (GHK). Despite the merger, the second division teams of Glasgow Academicals and Glasgow High Kelvinside re-entered the Scottish rugby league in 1998.[249]

South of Glasgow, in East Renfrewshire, in the suburb of Giffnock, is based another of Glasgow area's most prominent clubs Glasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC (GHA). GHA was formed in 2002 with the merger of two of Glasgow's leading clubs at the time, Glasgow Southern RFC and Hutchesons Aloysians RFC.[250]

Cartha Queen's Park play at Dumbreck, within the city.[251]

Glasgow was also home to one of the oldest rugby clubs in Scotland, West of Scotland F.C., which was formed in 1865, and was a founding member of the Scottish Rugby Union. The club was originally based in Partick at Hamilton Crescent but is now based outside the city, at Burnbrae, Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire.[252]

Other sports edit

 
Emirates Arena in Glasgow, one of the designated stadiums constructed for the 2014 Commonwealth Games

The Easterhouse Panthers based in the East End of Glasgow are a rugby league team who play in the Rugby League Conference Scotland Division.[253] From 1966 to 1986, the Glasgow Dynamos played at Crossmyloof Ice Rink.[254] Since October 2010 a team called the Glasgow Clan based in the nearby Braehead Arena in Renfrewshire has played in the professional Elite Ice Hockey League alongside two other Scottish teams, the Fife Flyers and the Dundee Stars.[255]

The Arlington Baths Club was founded in 1870. It is situated in the Woodlands area of the city and is still in use today.[256] It is believed the club's first Baths Master William Wilson invented water polo at the club. The Arlington inspired other Swimming Clubs and the Western Baths, which opened in 1876, is also still in existence in nearby Hillhead.[257]

Glasgow hosts Scotland's only professional basketball team, the Caledonia Gladiators, who compete in the British Basketball League. Previously based in Renfrewshire's Braehead Arena and the 1,200-seat Kelvin Hall, the team has been based at the Emirates Arena since the 2012/13 season.[258] Major international sporting arenas include the Kelvin Hall and Scotstoun Sports Centre. In 2003 the National Academy for Badminton was completed in Scotstoun. In 2003, Glasgow was also given the title of European Capital of Sport.[259]

Glasgow is also host to many cricket clubs including Clydesdale Cricket Club who have been title winners for the Scottish Cup many times. This club also acted as a neutral venue for a One Day International match between India and Pakistan in 2007, but due to bad weather it was called off.[260]

Smaller sporting facilities include an abundance of outdoor playing fields, as well as golf clubs such as Haggs Castle and artificial ski slopes. Between 1998 and 2004, the Scottish Claymores American football team played some or all of their home games each season at Hampden Park and the venue also hosted World Bowl XI.[261]

Glasgow Green and the Gorbals are home to a number of rowing clubs, some with open membership the rest belonging to universities or schools. Historically, rowing races on the River Clyde here attracted huge crowds of spectators to watch regattas in the late 19th century and early 20th century;[262] before football caught the public imagination. Two of Glasgow's rowing clubs separately claim that it was their members who were among the founders of Rangers Football Club.[263]

Motorcycle speedway racing was first introduced to Glasgow in 1928 and is currently staged at Ashfield Stadium in the North of the city. The home club, Glasgow Tigers, compete in the SGB Championship, the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Britain.[264] Glasgow is also one of five places in Scotland that hosts the final of the Scottish Cup of Shinty, better known as the Camanachd Cup. This is usually held at Old Anniesland. Once home to numerous Shinty clubs, there is now only one senior club in Glasgow, Glasgow Mid-Argyll.[265]

Sporting events host city edit

Glasgow bid to host the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics but lost to Buenos Aires in the 4 July 2013 vote.[266] Glasgow was the host of the 2018 European Sports Championships along with Berlin (hosts of the 2018 European Athletics Championships).[267] In August 2023, the city hosted the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships. Glasgow played host to five venues for the event, whilst some events were held in Dumfries & Galloway (para-cycling road) and Stirling (time trial).[268]

2014 Commonwealth Games edit

On 9 November 2007, Glasgow was selected to be the host city of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. The games were held at a number of existing and newly constructed sporting venues across the city, including a refurbished Hampden Park, Kelvingrove Park, Kelvin Hall, and the OVO Hydro at the SECC. The opening ceremony was held at Celtic Park. 2014 was the third time the Games have been held in Scotland.[269][270]

EUFA Euro competitions edit

Glasgow was the Scottish host city for the pan–European UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, with the group of 16 matches being played at the city's Hampden Park.[271] In 2023, Scotland, along with England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales, were confirmed hosts for the UEFA Euro 2028 tournament, again with Hampden Stadium being the selected Scottish stadium to host matches.[272]

Major incidents and tragedies edit

 
The aftermath of the 2007 Glasgow Airport attack, the first terrorist attack to take place in Scotland since the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie in 1988
  • 5 April 1902 – 1902 Ibrox disaster – 25 spectators died and more than 500 were injured when a new wooden stand at the Ibrox Park stadium collapsed during an England–Scotland match.[273]
  • 1960s/1970s – Many perished at three major blazes: the Cheapside Street whisky bond fire in Cheapside Street, Anderston (1960, 19 killed);[274] the James Watt Street fire (1968, 22 killed);[275] and the Kilbirnie Street fire (1972, seven killed).[276]
  • 2 January 1971 – 1971 Ibrox disaster – 66 people were killed in a crush, as supporters attempted to vacate the stadium.
  • 11 May 2004 – Stockline Plastics factory explosion – The ICL Plastics factory (commonly referred to as Stockline Plastics factory), in the Woodside district of Glasgow, exploded. Nine people were killed, including two company directors, and 33 injured – 15 seriously. The four-storey building was largely destroyed.
  • 30 June 2007 – 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack – Two jihadist terrorists – Bilal Abdullah and Kafeel Ahmed – deliberately drove a Jeep Cherokee SUV loaded with propane cylinders into the glass doors of a crowded terminal at Glasgow International Airport in an attempted suicide attack. A concrete security pillar blocked the car from entering the terminal. The two perpetrators were both apprehended; Ahmed died of burn wounds sustained in the attack, while Abdullah was convicted in Woolwich Crown Court of conspiracy to murder through terrorism and was sentenced to at least 32 years' imprisonment.[277][278] The perpetrators were also linked to a failed car bombing in London the previous day. Ahmed's brother Sabeel Ahmed pleaded guilty to failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism and was deported.[278]
  • 29 November 2013 – 2013 Glasgow helicopter crash – A Eurocopter EC135-T2+ police helicopter (operated by Bond Air Services for Police Scotland) crashed on top of The Clutha Vaults Bar in Glasgow City Centre, killing all aboard the helicopter (the pilot and two crew members) and seven people in the pub. The cause of the crash was fuel starvation due to pilot error.[279][280]
  • 23 May 2014 – Glasgow School of Art blaze – A fire tore through the historic and world-renowned Glasgow School of Art Mackintosh building, that was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Around a tenth of the structure and 30% of its contents were destroyed, including the prized Mackintosh Library. There were no deaths but a few were treated for minor smoke inhalation. The Scottish Fire and Rescue were praised for their quick response and plan to effectively tackle the fire. It was later found after a fire investigation that gases inside a projector had overheated and ignited.
  • 22 December 2014 – 2014 Glasgow bin lorry crash – Six people were killed and many were seriously injured when a bin lorry careened out of control and collided with pedestrians, vehicles, and buildings, on Queen Street, Glasgow, before crashing into the Millennium Hotel. The subsequent fatal accident inquiry established that the driver had suffered a "neurocardiogenic syncope" (fainting) episode that caused him to lose control of his vehicle.[281][282]
  • 29 December 2014 – first Ebola virus case in Scotland – Pauline Cafferkey, a nurse returning to Glasgow from Kerry Town treatment centre, Sierra Leone, West Africa where she had been a volunteer caring for patients infected with the Ebola virus was taken into isolation after testing positive for the virus. She was not diagnosed before leaving Sierra Leone.
  • 15 June 2018 – A fire once again broke out in the partially restored Glasgow School of Art, causing extensive damage. The School was widely criticised for failing to install an effective modern sprinkler system in a timely manner. Emergency services received the first call at 11:19 pm BST, and 120 firefighters and 20 fire engines were dispatched to the fire. No casualties were reported. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.

Namesake area on Mars edit

There is an area on Planet Mars which NASA has named Glasgow, after Scotland's largest city. The Mars rover Curiosity, which landed on the planet in August 2012, has drilled at the site.[283][284]

Twin towns – sister cities edit

Glasgow is twinned with:[285]

From 1986 to 2022, Glasgow was also twinned with Rostov-on-Don, Russia.[285]

Partnerships edit

The city is also in a partnership with:

Notable people edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Weather station is located 7 miles (11 km) from the Glasgow city centre.
  2. ^ Weather station is located 7 miles (11 km) from the Glasgow city centre.

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ Cameron, Lucinda (6 April 2010). "Plan launched to increase Gaelic use in Glasgow". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  2. ^ "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2021". Office for National Statistics. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  3. ^ (Between 1175–78, exact date unknown) Lambert, Tim. "A brief history of Glasgow". localhistories.org. Archived from the original on 12 May 2017. Retrieved 9 May 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Population on 1 January by age groups and sex – functional urban areas". Eurostat. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Regional gross value added (balanced) per head and income component", ons.gov.uk
  7. ^ "Dictionaries of the Scots Language:: SND :: glesca".
  8. ^ "Largest European cities 2020". Statista. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Glasgow remains biggest city economy". BBC News. 21 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  10. ^ MacDonnell, Hamish (3 March 2005). "Edinburgh UK's second most prosperous city". The Scotsman. UK. Archived from the original on 2 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  11. ^ "Top 20 Most Popular Cities in the UK for International Visitors". Archived from the original on 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Victorian Glasgow". BBC History. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2010.
  13. ^ "About Glasgow: The Second City of the Empire – the 19th century". Glasgow City Council. Archived from the original on 2 April 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  14. ^ Fraser, W H. "Second City of The Empire: 1830s to 1914". University of Glasgow. Archived from the original on 5 January 2008. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  15. ^ McIlvanney, W. "Glasgow – city of reality". Scotland – the official online gateway. Archived from the original on 4 December 2007. Retrieved 7 January 2008.
  16. ^ "Factsheet 4: Population" (PDF). Glasgow City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  17. ^ James, Alan. "A Guide to the Place-Name Evidence" (PDF). SPNS – The Brittonic Language in the Old North. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  18. ^ "Glaschu". Glaschu. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  19. ^ "Our Dear Green Place". glasgow.gov.uk. Glasgow City Council. 2018. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 7 October 2020.
  20. ^ Urquhart, R.M. (1973) Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry. London. Heraldry Today. ISBN 978-0900455247.
  21. ^ "The City Crest". Glasgow City Council. Archived from the original on 23 September 2018. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  22. ^ Urquhart, R.M. (1979). Scottish Civic Heraldry. London. Heraldry Today. ISBN 978-0900455261.
  23. ^ Urquhart, R.M. (2001) [1979]. Scottish Civic Heraldry (2nd ed.). Swindon: School Library Association. ISBN 978-0900649233.
  24. ^ Lindsay, Sir John (1921). The City of Glasgow : its origin, growth and development; with maps and plates. Edinburgh: Royal Scottish Geographical Society. p. 26. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  25. ^ a b c d e The City of Glasgow – The Third Statistical Account of Scotland, published 1958
  26. ^ Glasgow Central Conservation Area Appraisal. Glasgow: Glasgow City Council. 2012. p. 6. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  27. ^ "Glasgow Burgh". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  28. ^ Lambert, Tim (14 March 2021). "A History of Glasgow". Local Histories. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  29. ^ "Glasgow Plantation Owners in Jamaica – Legacies of Slavery in Glasgow Museums and Collections". Legacies of Slavery in Glasgow Museums and Collections. 29 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  30. ^ "Glasgow and the Slave Trade – It Wisnae Us".
  31. ^ Abolition of the Slave Trade Archived 3 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Learning and Teaching Scotland Online. Retrieved 26 September 2007
  32. ^ Donnachie, Ian (2004). "The Glasgow Story: Industry and Technology – Food, Drink and Tobacco". The Glasgow Story. Archived from the original on 6 December 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  33. ^ Harris, Nathaniel (2000). Heritage of Scotland, p. 70. Checkmark Books, London. ISBN 0816041369.
  34. ^ Glasgow Central Conservation Area Appraisal. Glasgow: Glasgow City Council. 2012. p. 9. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  35. ^ Glasgow's Blythswood, by Graeme Smith, 2021 https://www.blythswoodsmith.co.uk/
  36. ^ Fraser, W. Hamish (2004). "Second City of The Empire: 1830s to 1914". The Glasgow Story. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  37. ^ "Industrial decline – the 20th Century". Glasgow City Council. 28 March 2007. Archived from the original on 17 May 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2008.
  38. ^ Glasgow's Great Exhibitions by Perilla Kinchin and others, published 1988
  39. ^ "Blitz in Glasgow". BBC. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  40. ^ a b Staples, John (5 September 2002). "Secret plot to strip Glasgow of influence". The Scotsman. UK. Archived from the original on 19 January 2005. Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  41. ^ Alderson, Reevel (23 June 2008). "Why Glasgow was 'miles better'". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  42. ^ "European Capital of Culture". UNEECC.org. Archived from the original on 17 July 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  43. ^ "Interim Evaluation of the Cities Growth Fund: A Report to the Scottish Executive – Appendix 4: Glasgow". Scottish Government. March 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2008.
  44. ^ Butler, Richard; Curran, Ross; O'Gorman, Kevin D. (1 September 2013). "Pro-Poor Tourism in a First World Urban Setting: Case Study of Glasgow Govan". International Journal of Tourism Research. 15 (5): 443–457. doi:10.1002/jtr.1888. ISSN 1522-1970.
  45. ^ McIntyre, Zhan (2006). "Housing regeneration in Glasgow: Gentrification and upward neighbourhood trajectories in a post-industrial city" (PDF). eSharp. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 September 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  46. ^ Carrell, Severin (15 October 2008). "Lonely Planet guide rates Glasgow as one of the world's top 10 cities". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 19 January 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2008.
  47. ^ a b "Breakthrough Glasgow" (PDF). The Centre for Social Justice. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 8 February 2008.
  48. ^ a b c "Glasgow Economic Audit 2007 – Summary Report" (PDF). Glasgow Economic Forum. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  49. ^ "Quality of living global city rankings – Mercer survey". Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2008.
  50. ^ "Air quality | The Glasgow Indicators Project". Understandingglasgow.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  51. ^ a b Binnie 1981, p. 190.
  52. ^ a b c "Loch Katrine and aqueducts". Engineering Timelines. Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  53. ^ Binnie 1981, pp. 191–192.
  54. ^ Cross-Rudkin & Chrimes 2008, p. 62.
  55. ^ Schama, S. 2009 A History of Britain The Fate of the Empire. 1776–2000.p.337 ISBN 978-0786868995
  56. ^ Cross-Rudkin & Chrimes 2008, p. 325.
  57. ^ "Queen opens Milngavie water treatment works in Scotland". Water Briefing. 8 August 2008.
  58. ^ "Dalmarnock Sewage Treatment Works". Engineering Timelines. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  59. ^ "History of the Glasgow Sludge Fleet". Archived from the original on 25 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  60. ^ Lobina & Terhorst 2005, p. 30.
  61. ^ "Shieldhall Tunnel now operational as Scotland's biggest sewer". BBC. 30 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  62. ^ "The History of Water". Scottish Water. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  63. ^ "Councillor Eva Bolander chosen as Glasgow's Lord Provost". Glasgow City Council. 18 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  64. ^ Barclay, Gordon (2018). "'Duties in aid of the civil power': the Deployment of the Army to Glasgow, 31 January to 17 February 1919". Journal of Scottish Historical Studies, 38.2, 2018, 261-292. Vol. 38, no. 2. pp. 261–292. doi:10.3366/jshs.2018.0248. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  65. ^ "Sir Donald Liddle". The Glasgow Story. 2004. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  66. ^ "Who are the MEP candidates in Scotland?". BBC. 25 April 2019.
  67. ^ "Scottish Parliament electoral system" (PDF). Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  68. ^ "First Periodic Review of Scottish Parliament Boundaries. Public Consultation" (PDF). Boundary Commission for Scotland. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  69. ^ "Full votes and seats by party etc - SPE21". Electoral Management Board for Scotland. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  70. ^ "Election 2015: SNP wins 56 of 59 seats in Scots landslide". BBC News. 8 May 2015. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  71. ^ "Election 2017: Glasgow North East". BBC News. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  72. ^ "Glasgow North East Labour MP Paul Sweeney: "Yes badges were cool in 2014 – now it's Jeremy"". New Statesman. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  73. ^ Armstrong, Gary (13 December 2019). "Labour's Paul Sweeney loses Glasgow North East seat to SNP". GlasgowLive. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  74. ^ "Scottish independence referendum – Results". BBC News. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 18 September 2014.
  75. ^ "EU referendum: Here is how Glasgow voted". The Evening Times. 28 June 2016. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  76. ^ European Referendum 2016 Glasgow Results Archived 1 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine (retrieved 29 November 2017)
  77. ^ Who won? How Glasgow voted in Scotland's independence referendum – results map and charts Archived 13 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine at cityam.com (retrieved 12 August 2017)
  78. ^ EU referendum: Glasgow votes Remain by two to one Archived 12 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine at The Scotsman website (retrieved 12 August 2017)
  79. ^ Voter Turnout by constituency, 2015 General Election Archived 6 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine at ukpolitical.info (retrieved 12 August 2017)
  80. ^ 'Poor weather' and 'spike' in number of elections cause voter turnout in Glasgow to decrease Archived 12 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine at Glasgowlive.co.uk (retrieved 12 August 2017)
  81. ^ Guide to local government in parishes, counties and burghs. Edinburgh: Royal College of Physicians. 1892. pp. xxiii–xxx. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  82. ^ "Preparing for the elections in Scotland". The County Council Magazine. London: F. Warne and Company. 1890. p. 284. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
  83. ^ "City of Glasgow Act 1891", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1891 c. 130, retrieved 26 January 2023
  84. ^ "County of the City of Glasgow Act 1893", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1893 c. 188, retrieved 26 January 2023
  85. ^ "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1994 c. 39, retrieved 26 January 2023
  86. ^ Russell, Jennifer (9 April 2018). "Glasgow named as Britain's rainiest city". glasgowlive. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  87. ^ "Britain's rainiest cities revealed – and it's good news for Londoners". The Independent. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  88. ^ a b "Climate Station Data for Paisley". Met Office. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
  89. ^ "December 1995 minimum". Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  90. ^ "Synop report summary". www.ogimet.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  91. ^ "Paisley 1991–2020 averages". Station, District and regional averages 1991-2020. Met Office. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  92. ^ "KNMI: Climate Extremes 1959-". KNMI. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
  93. ^ "Averages for Abbotsinch". MetOffice.
  94. ^ United Kingdom: Agglomerations Archived 29 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine, CityPopulation.de
  95. ^ United Kingdom: Countries and Major Urban Areas Archived 1 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine, CityPopulation.de
  96. ^ "Mid-2005 Population Estimates Scotland – Table 9 Land area and population density, by administrative area: 30 June 2005". General Register Office for Scotland. Archived from the original (Microsoft Excel) on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  97. ^ scrol.gov.uk/. "2001 Census". Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  98. ^ "Lithuanians in Glasgow". The Guardian. London. 23 January 2006. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  99. ^ Gray, Alastair; Moffat, William (1989) [1985]. "Departures and Arrivals". A History of Scotland (Rev ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 39. ISBN 978-0199170630. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  100. ^ "Factsheet 4 – population" (PDF). Glasgow City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2007. and "Glasgow Population and Size". glasgowguide.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 October 1999. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  101. ^ unknown
  102. ^ a b "2011 Population census data" (PDF). crer.org.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 April 2017.
  103. ^ "Briefing paper 2011 census". Glasgow City Council. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  104. ^ "Statistical Bulletin" (PDF). National Records of Scotland. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  105. ^ "Minister backs SPT on White Paper". Interchange Issue 7. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. September 2004. Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  106. ^ "Review of Scotland's Cities – Transport within the City and the City-Region". Scottish Executive. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
  107. ^ "News: Census 2011: Population estimates for Scotland". The National Archives of Scotland. The National Records of Scotland. 17 December 2012. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  108. ^ Rogers, Simon (16 July 2012). "2011 census results: how many people live in your local authority?". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  109. ^ "Glasgow: Population & Density 1891–2001". Demographia. Wendell Cox Consultancy. Archived from the original on 23 November 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
  110. ^ "Life expectancy gap "widening"". BBC News. 29 April 2005. Archived from the original on 18 June 2006. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  111. ^ Walker, Carole (25 July 2008). "How serious is defeat for Brown?". BBC News. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  112. ^ "Social factors key to ill health". BBC News. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 30 August 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  113. ^ "GP explains life expectancy gap". BBC News. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 31 August 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2008.
  114. ^ "The Urbanism Awards 2008". The Academy of Urbanism. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2008.
  115. ^ Glasgow, People Make. "The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Glasgow | People Make Glasgow | People Make Glasgow". peoplemakeglasgow.com. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  116. ^ "Shopping | Princes Square | Glasgow". www.princessquare.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  117. ^ "Filming Locations for Under The Skin (2013), around Scotland". The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  118. ^ Christine (26 October 2011). "Scarlett Johansson begins filming 'Under The Skin' in Glasgow". On Location Vacations. Archived from the original on 27 December 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  119. ^ "Retail Ranking from Experian" (PDF). Business-strategies.co.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  120. ^ "Top of the Shops – Gerald Eve Publishes Prime Retail". Prnewswire.co.uk. 5 November 2004. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  121. ^ Glasgow's Blythswood, by Graeme Smith, 2021 www.blythswoodsmith.co.uk
  122. ^ "Glasgow's Merchant City: Historical Development". Merchant City Initiative. 2008. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  123. ^ "Merchant City Glasgow: Restaurants and Cafés". Merchant City Glasgow – Merchant City Initiative. 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  124. ^ "Merchant City Glasgow: Shops". Merchant City Glasgow – Merchant City Initiative. 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  125. ^ a b "Merchant City Glasgow: Galleries and Art". Merchant City Glasgow – Merchant City Initiative. 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  126. ^ "Trongate 103". 2008. Archived from the original on 1 November 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  127. ^ "Merchant City Glasgow: Venues and Theatres". Merchant City Glasgow – Merchant City Initiative. 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  128. ^ "Glasgow Conferences Venues UK". Conferences-uk.org.uk. 17 July 1995. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  129. ^ "The home of the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre". SECC. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  130. ^ "Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre". Archived from the original on 13 May 2011.
  131. ^ Ridley, Neil (2019). The World of Whisky. Pavillion. ISBN 978-1911624639.
  132. ^ "The Official Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom Site". Glasgow Barrowland. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009. Retrieved 5 May 2009.
  133. ^ "John Knox". The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis. Retrieved 28 January 2022.
  134. ^ Glasgow Architecture (1999). "Homes for the Future, 1999". Glasgow Architecture. Archived from the original on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  135. ^ "Templeton's Carpet Factory, Glasgow". princes-regeneration.org. Archived from the original on 19 October 2007. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  136. ^ "East End Healthy Living Centre Homepage". Eehlc.org.uk. 17 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  137. ^ Rebecca Gray (21 November 2012). "What now for city's Provan gas towers?". The Evening Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  138. ^ Hannah Rodger (10 October 2017). "Glasgow's skyline could be changing as future of historic Provan gasworks up for debate". The Evening Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  139. ^ Alison Campsie (21 May 2018). "Row over historic protection for "eyesore" gasworks". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  140. ^ "No surprise from the community that Shawlands is coolest spot". Herald Scotland. 12 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  141. ^ "New Local Government areas". Hansard. 22 October 1973. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  142. ^ Irene Maver. "Modern Times: 1950s to The Present Day > Neighbourhoods". The Glasgow Story. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  143. ^ "Scotland's Landscape: City of Glasgow". BBC. Archived from the original on 17 March 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  144. ^ "Pollok Park Britain's Best Park". Glasgow City Council. Archived from the original on 15 June 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2008.
  145. ^ Nicoll, Vivienne (8 April 2014). "Starting gun sounds for regeneration of Sighthill". The Evening Times. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  146. ^ 180 jobs under threat at Glasgow rail services firm Archived 17 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine BBC News 12 December 2018
  147. ^ Williams, Craig (10 January 2020). "Looking back at Glasgow's year as European Capital of Culture 30 years on". GlasgowLive. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  148. ^ "History of the Mitchell". www.glasgow.gov.uk. 17 November 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2010.
  149. ^ The University of Glasgow Library: Friendly Shelves, published in 2016 ISBN 978-0993518508 [1] Archived 9 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  150. ^ Hancox, John. "Glasgow's first poet laureate". Avenue. Archived from the original on 7 October 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  151. ^ "Liz Lochhead". The British Council. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  152. ^ "Liz Lochhead appointed as makar, Scotland's national poet". The Guardian. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  153. ^ "Lord Provost announces appointment of new Poet Laureate for Glasgow". Herald Scotland. 17 July 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
  154. ^ McQueen, Craig (14 August 2013). "Glasgow awarded unlikely title of Britain's most vegan friendly city by animal activists". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 11 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  155. ^ List of Mod's places Archived 15 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine for each year on Sabhal Mòr Ostaig website
  156. ^ Williams, Craig (19 December 2019). "Glasgow's SSE Hydro named world's second busiest arena venue". GlasgowLive. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2021.
  157. ^ "SLTN Awards". 10 November 2011. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  158. ^ Smith, Richard (13 March 2010). "Bristol named Britain's most musical city". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  159. ^ "Glasgow 'most mentioned UK city' in song titles". BBC News. 2 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  160. ^ Seenan, Gerard (4 September 2004). "Rock bands inspire Belle epoque for Glasgow scene". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  161. ^ "InTheMix.com.au". InTheMix.com.au. 28 May 2002. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  162. ^ "Top 100 Clubs 2008". DJ Magazine. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  163. ^ "RA Club Awards: Best Club". Resident Advisor.
  164. ^ "Glasgow at the Moving Image Archive". Moving Image Archive. National Library of Scotland. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
  165. ^ "Scottish Radio Statistics". Allmediascotland.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  166. ^ Church of Scotland Yearbook 2008–09, ISBN 978-0861533848
  167. ^ "Parishes". www.rcag.org.uk. Archived from the original on 29 May 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  168. ^ "Diocese of Motherwell". Diocese of Motherwell. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  169. ^ Scottish Government, St Andrew's House (14 November 2005). "Faith Communities and Local Government in Glasgow". Archived from the original on 3 June 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  170. ^ McVeigh, Tracy (6 March 2011). "Divisions in Glasgow go well beyond football". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  171. ^ McKenna, Kevin (26 January 2014). "Anti-Irish hatred has no place in modern Scotland – Kevin McKenna". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  172. ^ "Glasgow South Christadelphian Ecclesia Archived 29 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine" on searchforhope.org
  173. ^ "Glasgow Central Christadelphian Ecclesia Archived 29 April 2011 at the Wayback Machine" on searchforhope.org
  174. ^ "Location". glasgowkelvin.org.uk. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011.
  175. ^ "Glasgow Gurdwara: £3.8m Sikh temple prepares to open its doors". BBC. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  176. ^ "Faith Communities and Local Government in Glasgow". The Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 30 April 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  177. ^ "MCB Muslim Population". Mcb.org.uk. Archived from the original on 1 March 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  178. ^ "Glasgow Jewish Community". JewishGen.org. Archived from the original on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  179. ^ "St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art". Seeglasgow.com. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  180. ^ "St. Mungo Museum". Clyde-valley.com. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  181. ^ 2011 Scotland Census Archived 4 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Locality Table QS211SC.
  182. ^ 2011 Scotland Census Archived 4 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Settlement Table QS211SC.
  183. ^ "Inside the BBC Archived 3 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine", British Broadcasting Corporation, 21 November 2011, viewed 9 June 2014.
  184. ^ "SEC Armadillo". Foster + Partners. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  185. ^ "Red Road Flats: A social history of Glasgow's most controversial towers in 12 pictures". www.glasgowworld.com. Glasgow World. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  186. ^ Watch video of the church Archived 5 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine and Interview with Stuart Robertson, Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Director
  187. ^ Glasgow City Council Planning Department reports
  188. ^ "Museum of Transport Glasgow". Glasgow Architecture. Archived from the original on 22 December 2007. Retrieved 8 August 2011.
  189. ^ "Riverside Museum: Scotland's museum of transport and travel". Retrieved 8 August 2011.[dead link]
  190. ^ "Glasgow: Scotland with style – City of Reinvention By Nancy McLardie". Seeglasgow.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  191. ^ "Glasgow City Council: Regeneration – into the new Millennium". Glasgow.gov.uk. 28 March 2007. Archived from the original on 26 May 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  192. ^ Seenan, Gerrard (17 September 2005). "Jobs boom on Clyde reverses decline". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
  193. ^ "Let Glasgow Flourish". Scotland.org. April 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  194. ^ "Glasgow and Surrounding Areas". Scotland Online Gateway. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  195. ^ "The Second City". Glasgow.gov.uk. 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  196. ^ "16th and 17th Centuries". Glasgow.gov.uk. 28 March 2007. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  197. ^ [2][permanent dead link]
  198. ^ "Inbound tourism performance". VisitBritain. Archived from the original on 9 December 2014. Retrieved 4 December 2014.
  199. ^ "Glasgow's financial services economy". International Financial Services District Glasgow. Archived from the original on 8 January 2008. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  200. ^ "Edinburgh's Ranking". Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  201. ^ "The Global Financial Centres Index – Sept 2008" (PDF). City of London Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  202. ^ "Financial services jobs for Glasgow". The Scottish Government. Archived from the original on 18 July 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  203. ^ BBC Scotland "Call centres 'enjoying boom time'". BBC. 10 January 2007. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  204. ^ Hilpern, Kate (20 May 2001). "Slavery abolished in call centres". London: The Independent Newspaper. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2001.
  205. ^ "Growth Sectors in Scotland | Scotland is Now". Scotland. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  206. ^ "Let Glasgow flourish". Scotland: the official online gateway. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2008.
  207. ^ "West Coast Main Line Pendolino Tilting Trains, United Kingdom". Railway-technology.com. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  208. ^ SPT (16 April 1980). "SPT Subway". Archived from the original on 29 December 2007. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  209. ^ "Fastlink – SPT – Corporate Information – Strathclyde Partnership for Transport". www.spt.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  210. ^ a b "City of Glasgow College | Full Time, Part Time, Evening and Weekend College Courses". Archived from the original on 16 October 2018. Retrieved 3 November 2018.
  211. ^ C. Michael Hogan (2011). "Sea of the Hebrides" Archived 24 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Eds. P. Saundry & C. J. Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington, D.C.
  212. ^ "Waverley Excursions". www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  213. ^ "Ministers scrap airport rail plan". BBC News. 17 September 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  214. ^ "Glasgow Airport Metro system gets council leader approval" (Press release). 6 January 2020. Archived from the original on 7 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  215. ^ "Victorian Achievement: Victorian Glasgow". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
  216. ^ a b McLean, Jack (13 August 2000). "Tenement living is the life and always has been". Sunday Herald. Retrieved 24 July 2009.[dead link]
  217. ^ "Hyndland Local History". Hyndl.demon.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 August 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
  218. ^ "Drivers for high rise living". Archived from the original on 11 March 2012.
  219. ^ Brendan O'Grady (2004). Exiles and Islanders: The Irish Settlers of Prince Edward Island. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP. p. 144. ISBN 978-0773527683.
  220. ^ Worksall, Frank The Tenement – a way of life. W & R Chambers Ltd Edinburgh 1972 ISBN 0550203524
  221. ^ MacInnes, Ranald. "The Glasgow Story: Buildings and Cityscape – Public Housing". Archived from the original on 12 November 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2009.
  222. ^ a b "Springburn Virtual Museum: Demolition of tenements in Gourlay Street, 1975". Glasgow Digital Library. Archived from the original on 1 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  223. ^ "Glasgow announces a revolution in house-building". Glasgow.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 5 January 2009. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
  224. ^ "HIS : Queen Elizabeth University Hospital". healthcareimprovementscotland.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  225. ^ McConnell, Ian (30 October 2012). "Scotshield wins hospital fire system contract". The Herald. Archived from the original on 16 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  226. ^ "University of Glasgow". www.gla.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 3 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  227. ^ "University of Strathclyde, Glasgow: A Multi-Award-Winning UK University". www.strath.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  228. ^ webteam@gcu.ac.uk. "Welcome to GCU: the University for the Common Good". GCU. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  229. ^ "University of the West of Scotland". - UWS – University of the West of Scotland. 31 January 2017. Archived from the original on 3 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  230. ^ "The Glasgow School of Art". www.gsa.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  231. ^ "The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – like nowhere else". Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Archived from the original on 26 September 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  232. ^ "Study in Glasgow – Glasgow Clyde College". www.glasgowclyde.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  233. ^ "Welcome to Glasgow Kelvin College, the newest of Glasgow Colleges". Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  234. ^ "Welcome to West College Scotland". www.westcollegescotland.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 1 June 2019. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  235. ^ "2011 Census: KS501UK Qualifications and students, local authorities in the United Kingdom (Excel sheet 293Kb)". 2011 Census, Key Statistics and Quick Statistics for local authorities in the United Kingdom – Part 2. Office for National Statistics. 4 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  236. ^ "Glasgow Geographic profile". Scottish Enterprise. Archived from the original on 27 May 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  237. ^ "Members of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities". 15 September 2017. Archived from the original on 26 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  238. ^ "A Sporting Nation – The first international football match". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
  239. ^ Ken Gallagher (1 July 1967). "Europe Belongs To Us". Charlie Buchan's Football Monthly. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2018 – via Soccer Attic.
  240. ^ "Zenit St Petersburg 2-0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  241. ^ "Hampden Stadium". Glasgow Photo Library. Archived from the original on 14 August 2007. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
  242. ^ "Rangers Football Club". www.spfl.co.uk. Scottish Professional Football League. Archived from the original on 2 July 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  243. ^ "History". Petershill F.C. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  244. ^ "Glasgow City Ladies Football Club". Glasgowcityladiesfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  245. ^ "Celtic Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  246. ^ "Rangers Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  247. ^ a b "Partick Thistle Football Club". Scottish Professional Football League. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  248. ^ "Glasgow Warriors 31-13 Munster". BBC Sport. 30 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  249. ^ "Cup that put feather in the cap of Glasgow Hawks". The Scotsman. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  250. ^ "Glasgow rugby merger plan". 11 February 2002.
  251. ^ "Cartha Queens Park Rugby Club - Youth & Minis Rugby". Archived from the original on 9 February 2011. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  252. ^ "Club History". westofscotlandfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015.
  253. ^ "New Era for Panthers". Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  254. ^ "Glasgow Dynamos Remembered". Glasgowdynamos.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  255. ^ Ellis, Chris (1 March 2010). "Braehead Clan join ice hockey's Elite League". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  256. ^ "Two historic baths clubs in Glasgow given A-list status". BBC News. 24 February 2014.
  257. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "Western Baths Club, 8-12 (Even Nos) Cranworth Street, Hillhead, Glasgow (Category A Listed Building) (LB32859)". Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  258. ^ "Glasgow Rocks rebrand to Caledonia Gladiators amidst lofty ambitions". Hoopsfix.com. 20 September 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
  259. ^ "European Capital of Sports Association". Aces-europa.eu. Archived from the original on 10 April 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  260. ^ "Millions tune into Glasgow". The Glasgow Times. 3 July 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  261. ^ "Remembering when Glasgow had its very own NFL team, the Scottish Claymores". Glasgow Live. 4 August 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  262. ^ "Rules as at 28 March 2004" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  263. ^ Rangers FC fanzine Archived 11 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Founders plaque unveiled.
  264. ^ "Two ways to watch the Tigers". Glasgow Tigers. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  265. ^ "About us". Glasgow Mid-Argyll Shinty Club. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  266. ^ "Buenos Aires elected as Host City for 2018 Youth Olympic Games". International Olympic Committee. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  267. ^ "European Championships opened by party in Glasgow as federations unveil winner's trophy". Inside the Games. 1 August 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  268. ^ "Get Ready Glasgow". Get Ready Glasgow. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  269. ^ Glasgow 2014, Commonwealth Games Candidate Archived 8 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine www.glasgow2014.com
  270. ^ "National Indoor Sports Arena". Robert McAlpine. 2011. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2011.
  271. ^ "Latest COVID information UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow". Hampden Park. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  272. ^ "Euro 2028: Hampden to get 'realistic' upgrade as update given on stadium and lowest ticket prices". The Scotsman. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  273. ^ Paul Brown, Savage Enthusiasm: A History of Football Fans (Goal Post, 2017), pp. 90–93.
  274. ^ Scotland's History: Glasgow's Cheapside Street Fire, 28th March 1960 Archived 2 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News.
  275. ^ Reevel Alderson, James Watt Street blaze: How 22 died in Glasgow 50 years ago Archived 26 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC Scotland (18 November 2018).
  276. ^ Kilbirnie Street fire deaths marked in 40th anniversary service Archived 27 August 2014 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News (25 August 2012).
  277. ^ Steven Brocklehurst, The day terror came to Glasgow Airport Archived 11 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC Scotland (30 June 2017).
  278. ^ a b UK bomb plot doctor jailed for 32 years Archived 22 November 2021 at the Wayback Machine, CNN (17 December 2008).
  279. ^ "Aircraft Accident Report No: 3/2015" (PDF). The Air Accidents Investigation Branch. 23 October 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  280. ^ Clutha crash: Inquiry says pilot 'took a chance' to ignore fuel warnings Archived 17 November 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News (30 October 2019).
  281. ^ Glasgow bin lorry crash inquiry: What does the report tell us? Archived 27 March 2017 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News (7 December 2015).
  282. ^ Fatal Accident Inquiry: Glasgow bin lorry crash Archived 1 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine, Glasgow Sheriff Court, summary of [2015] FAI 31.
  283. ^ Aitchison, Jack (30 April 2020). "There's now an area on Mars named after Glasgow - NASA confirm". Glasgow Times. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  284. ^ Glencross, Nina (30 May 2016). "The best places in Glasgow to see Mars". GlasgowLive. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
  285. ^ a b "Twin Cities". Glasgow City Council. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  286. ^ a b c Hunter, Catherine (9 November 2020). "Glasgow forms partnership with Berlin and other cities to tackle climate crisis". GlasgowLive. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  287. ^ "Partneri- ja kummikaupungit (Partnership and twinning cities)". Oulun kaupunki (City of Oulu) (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.

Bibliography edit

  • Binnie, G. M. (1981). Early Victorian Water Engineers. Thomas Telford. ISBN 978-0727701282.
  • Butt, John, and George Gordon, eds. Strathclyde: Changing Horizons (1985)
  • Cochrane, Hugh (1951). Glasgow: The first 800 Years.
  • Cowan, J. "From Glasgow's Treasure Chest" (1951)
  • Crawford, Robert (2013). On Glasgow and Edinburgh. Harvard U.P. ISBN 978-0674070592. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  • Cross-Rudkin, Peter; Chrimes, Mike (2008). A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: Vol 2: 1830 to 1890. Thomas Telford. ISBN 978-0727735041.
  • Cunnison, J. and JBS Gilfillan, The City of Glasgow, The Third Statistical Account of Scotland (1958)
  • Daiches, David. Glasgow (1982), scholarly history
  • Doak, A M and Young, A M. "Glasgow at a Glance" (1983)
  • Gibb, Andrew. Glasgow: The Making of a City (1983)
  • Gomme, A H and Walker, D. "Architecture of Glasgow" (1987)
  • Horsey, M. "Tenements & Towers: Glasgow Working-Class Housing 1890–1990" (1990)
  • Hume, John. "Industrial Archaeology of Glasgow" (1974)
  • Lobina, Emanuele; Terhorst, Philipp (29 January 2005). D19: WaterTime case study – Edinburgh, UK. Watertime EU Research Project. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  • Maver, Irene. Glasgow (2000)
  • Malcolm, Sandra. "Old Glasgow and The Clyde: From the Archives of T. and R. Annan" (2005)
  • McKean, Charles. "Central Glasgow: An Illustrated Architectural Guide" (1993)
  • Oakley, Charles. The Second City (1975)
  • Small, G P. "Greater Glasgow: An Illustrated Architectural Guide" (2008)
  • Urquhart, Gordon R. "Along Great Western Road: An Illustrated History of Glasgow's West End" (2000)
  • Williamson, Elizabeth et al. Glasgow (The Buildings of Scotland) (1999)
  • Worsdall, Frank. "The Tenement: A Way of Life" (1979)
  • Worsdall, Frank. "The City That Disappeared: Glasgow's Demolished Architecture" (1981)
  • Worsdall, Frank. "The Victorian City: Selection of Glasgow's Architecture" (1988)

External links edit