Glasgow

Glasgow Glaschu (Scottish Gaelic) Glesga( Scots)
Cityand council area
The River Clydewith the Glasgow Tower(right), Crowne Plaza(centre) and the OVO Hydro(background) Clyde Arc Finnieston Clydeport Crane The Govan Angel Glasgow Stock ExchangeBuilding Glasgow Green Shalom Globe at Bellahouston Park
Coat of arms Flag of Glasgow City Council [1]
Nicknames: "The Dear Green Place", " Baile Mòr nan Gàidheal" [2]
Motto(s): Let Glasgow Flourish Lord, let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of the word
Location of Glasgow
Glasgow Location within Scotland Show map of Scotland Glasgow Location within the United Kingdom Show map of the United Kingdom Glasgow Location within Europe Show map of Europe
Coordinates:55°51′40″N04°15′00″W / 55.86111°N 4.25000°W /55.86111; -4.25000
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Country	Scotland
Council Area	Glasgow City
Lieutenancy Area	Glasgow
Subdivisions	23 Wards
Police	Police Scotland
Founded	Late-6th century
Burgh Charter	1170s[4]
Government
• Body	Glasgow City Council
•Lord Provost	Jacqueline McLaren (SNP)
• Council Leader	Susan Aitken(SNP)
•MSPs	15 Bill Kidd(SNP) James Dornan(SNP) Kaukab Stewart(SNP) Bob Doris(SNP) Humza Yousaf(SNP) Ivan McKee(SNP) John Mason(SNP) Nicola Sturgeon(SNP) Clare Haughey(SNP) Pam Duncan-Glancy(Lab) Sandesh Gulhane(Con) Patrick Harvie(Green) Pauline McNeill(Lab) Anas Sarwar(Lab) Paul Sweeney(Lab) Annie Wells(Con)
Area
•Council area	68 sq mi (175 km2)
• Urban	142.3 sq mi (368.5 km2)
• Metro	190 sq mi (492 km2)
Population (2020)
•Council area	622,820[3]
• Rank	1stin Scotland 3rdin United Kingdom
• Density	9,210/sq mi (3,555/km2)
•Urban	632,350 (Locality)[5] 1,028,220 (Settlement)[5]
•Metro	1,861,315[6]
• Language(s)	English Scots Gaelic
Demonym	Glaswegian
GDP [7]
•Council area	£28.439 billion (2022)
• Per head	£45,041 (2022)
Time zone	UTC±0(Greenwich Mean Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1(British Summer Time)
Postcode areas	G
Area code	0141
ISO 3166 code	GB-GLG
OS grid reference	NS590655
International Airports	Glasgow Airport(GLA) Glasgow Prestwick Airport(PIK)
MainRailway Stations	Glasgow Central Glasgow Queen Street
Rapid transit	Glasgow subway
Website	www.glasgow.gov.uk

Glasgow(UK:/ˈɡlɑːzɡoʊ,ˈɡlæz-,ˈɡlɑːs-,ˈɡlæs-/^ⓘGLA(H)Z-goh,GLA(H)SS-)^[a]is themost populous city in Scotland, located on the banks of theRiver Clydeinwest centralScotland.^[9]The city is thethird-most populous cityin theUnited Kingdom^[10]and the 27th-most populous city inEurope.^[11]In 2022, it had an estimated population as a defined locality of 632,350 and anchored an urban settlement of 1,028,220. The economy of Glasgow is the largest of any city or region inScotland's economy,^[12][13]and the city's economic strength is reflected in its membership of theCore Cities Group.

Glasgow grew from a small rural settlement close toGlasgow Cathedraland descending to theRiver Clydeto become the largest seaport in Scotland, and tenth largest by tonnage in Britain. Expanding from themedievalbishopricand episcopalburgh(subsequentlyroyal burgh), and the later establishment of theUniversity of Glasgowin the 15th century, it became a major centre of theScottish Enlightenmentin the 18th century. From the 18th century onwards, the city also grew as one of Britain's main hubs of oceanic trade withNorth Americaand theWest Indies; soon followed by theOrient,India, andChina. With the onset of theIndustrial 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 theshipbuildingandmarine engineeringindustry, which produced many innovative and famous vessels. Glasgow was the "Second City of theBritish Empire" for much of theVictorianandEdwardian eras.^{[14][15][16][17]}

Glasgow became acountyin 1893, the city having previously been in thehistoric countyofLanarkshire, and later growing to also include settlements that were once part ofRenfrewshireandDunbartonshire. It now forms the Glasgow City Council area, one of the 32council areas of Scotland, and is administered byGlasgow City Council. 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).^[18]The population was greatly reduced following comprehensiveurban renewalprojects in the 1960s which resulted in large-scale relocation of people to designatednew towns, such asCumbernauld,Livingston,East Kilbrideand peripheral suburbs, followed by successive boundary changes. Over 1,000,000 people live in theGreater Glasgowcontiguous urban area, while the widerGlasgow City Regionis home to over 1,800,000 people, equating to around 33% of Scotland's population.^[5]The city has one of the highest densities of anylocalityin Scotland at 4,023/km².

Glasgow's major cultural institutions enjoy international reputations including TheRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland,Burrell Collection,Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum,Royal Scottish National Orchestra,BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra,Scottish BalletandScottish Opera. The city was theEuropean Capital of Culturein 1990 and is notable for itsarchitecture,culture,media,music scene,sports clubsandtransport connections. It is the fifth-most visited city in the United Kingdom.^[19]The city is also well known in the sporting world for football, particularly for theOld Firmrivalry.

The name Glasgow isBrittonicin origin. The first elementglas, meaning "grey-green, grey-blue" both inBrittonic,Scottish Gaelicand modern dayWelshand the second*cöü, "hollow" (cf.Welshglas-cau),^[20]giving a meaning of "green-hollow".^[21]It is often said that the name means "dear green place" or that "dear green place" is a translation from GaelicGlas Caomh.^[22]"The dear green place" remains an affectionate way of referring to the city. The modern Gaelic isGlaschuand 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), asGlasgu. It is also recorded that theKing 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 theMolendinar BurnwhereGlasgow Cathedralnow stands, and making many converts. A large community developed around him and became known asGlasgu.

Thecoat of armsof the City of Glasgow was granted to theroyal burghby theLord Lyonon 25 October 1866.^[23]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 representmiraclessupposed to have been performed by Mungo^[24]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 wordsLord, 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 firstLord Provostof 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 thePeople's PalaceMuseum, nearGlasgow 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 ofbenediction". The original 1866 grant placed the crest atop a helm, but this was removed in subsequent grants. The current version (1996) has a goldmural crownbetween 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 ofGlasgow District Councilon 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.^[25][26]

The area around Glasgow has hosted communities for millennia,^[specify]with theRiver Clydeproviding a natural location for fishing. TheRomanslater built outposts in the area and, to protect RomanBritanniafrom theBrittonic speaking(Celtic)Caledonians, constructed theAntonine Wall. Items from the wall, such as altars fromRoman fortslikeBalmuildy, can be found at theHunterian Museumtoday.

Glasgow itself was reputed to have been founded by the ChristianmissionarySaint Mungoin the 6th century. He established a church on theMolendinar Burn, where the presentGlasgow Cathedralstands, and in the following years Glasgow became a religious centre. Glasgow grew over the following centuries. TheGlasgow Fairreportedly began in 1190.^[27]A bridge over the River Clyde was recorded from around 1285, whereVictoria Bridgenow stands. As thelowest bridging pointon the Clyde it was an important crossing. The area around the bridge became known as Briggait. The founding of theUniversity of Glasgowadjoining the cathedral in 1451 and elevation of thebishopricto become theArchdiocese of Glasgowin 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.^[28]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 alongHigh Street,Saltmarketand Bridgegate, crossing an east–west route atGlasgow Crosswhich became the commercial centre of the city.^[29]

Following the European ProtestantReformationand with the encouragement of theConvention 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.^[28]Glasgow was subsequently raised to the status ofRoyal Burghin 1611.^[30]Daniel Defoevisited the city in the early 18th century and famously opined in his bookA 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 theScottish Enlightenmentand Industrial Revolution.

The city prospered from its involvement in thetriangular tradeand theAtlantic slave tradethat the former depended upon. Glasgow merchants dealt in slave-producedcash cropssuch as sugar, tobacco, cotton and linen.^[31][32]From 1717 to 1766, Scottishslave shipsoperating 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,GreenockandPort Glasgow.^[33]

After theActs of Unionin 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'sTobacco Lordscreated a deep water port atPort Glasgowabout 20 mi (32 km) down theRiver Clyde, as the river from the city to that point was then too shallow for seagoing merchant ships.^[34]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.^[35]At the time, Glasgow held a commercial importance as the city participated in the trade of sugar, tobacco and later cotton.^[36]From the mid-eighteenth century the city began expanding westwards from its medieval core at Glasgow Cross, with agrid-iron street planstarting 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 theMerchant City.^[37]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 overBlythswood Hillfrom 1800 onwards.^[38]

The opening of theMonkland Canaland basin linking to theForth and Clyde CanalatPort Dundasin 1795, facilitated access to the extensive iron-ore and coal mines inLanarkshire. After extensiveriver engineeringprojects 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 asRobert Napier,John Elder,George Thomson,Sir William PearceandSir Alfred Yarrow. The River Clyde also became an important source of inspiration for artists, such asJohn Atkinson Grimshaw,John Knox,James Kay,Sir Muirhead Bone,Robert EadieandL.S. Lowry, willing to depict the new industrial era and the modern world, as didStanley Spencerdownriver atPort Glasgow.

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.^[39]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,^[39]but others were not so fortunate, and some 4,000 died in an outbreak ofcholerain 1848/1849.^[40]This led to the development of theGlasgow Corporation Water Works, with a project to raise the level ofLoch Katrineand 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.^[41]The project cost £980,000^[40]and was opened byQueen Victoriain 1859.^[42]In the early 19th century an eighth of the people lived in single-room accommodation.^[43]

The engineer for the project wasJohn 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.^[44]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 inGlen Finglaswas authorised in 1903, but was deferred, and was not completed until 1965.^[40]Following the2002 Glasgow floods, the waterborne parasitecryptosporidiumwas found in the reservoir at Milngavie, and so the newMilngavie water treatment workswas built. It was opened byQueen Elizabethin 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.^[45]

Good health requires both clean water and effective removal of sewage. TheCaledonian Railwayrebuilt 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.^[46]Treated sludge was dumped at sea, and Glasgow Corporation owned six sludge ships between 1904 and 1998,^[47]when the EUUrban Waste Water Treatment Directiveended the practice.^[48]The sewerage infrastructure was improved significantly in 2017, with the completion of a tunnel 3.1 mi (5.0 km) long, which provides 20×10^⁶imp 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.^[49]Since 2002, clean water provision and sewerage have been the responsibility ofScottish Water.^[50]

Glasgow's population had surpassed that of Edinburgh by 1821. The development of civic institutions included theCity of Glasgow Policein 1800, one of the first municipalpoliceforces in the world. Despite the crisis caused by theCity 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^[51]and a quarter of all locomotives in the world.^[52]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.^[28]

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 theLowlandsand theHighlands of Scotland, fromIrelandand other parts of Britain and fromContinental Europe.^[28]During this period, the construction of many of the city's greatest architectural masterpieces and most ambitious civil engineering projects, such as theMilngavie water treatment works,Glasgow Subway,Glasgow Corporation Tramways,City Chambers,Mitchell LibraryandKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museumwere being funded by its wealth. The city also held a series ofInternational ExhibitionsatKelvingrove Park, in1888,1901and1911, with Britain's last major International Exhibition, theEmpire Exhibition, being subsequently held in 1938 atBellahouston Park, which drew 13 million visitors.^[53]

The 20th century witnessed both decline and renewal in the city. AfterWorld War I, the city suffered from the impact of thePost–World War I recessionand from the laterGreat Depression, this also led to a rise of radical socialism and the "Red Clydeside" movement. The city had recovered by the outbreak ofWorld War II. The city sawaerial bombardmentby theLuftwaffe^[54]during theClydebank 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 andWest 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 dependencyand poor health for the city's inhabitants. There were active attempts at regeneration of the city, when the Glasgow Corporation published its controversialBruce 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.^[55]

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 theScottish Officehad 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 theSilicon Glenboom and creating thenew townsof Cumbernauld, Glenrothes, Irvine, Livingston andEast Kilbride, dispersed across theScottish Lowlandsto halve the city's population base.^[55]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 theBurrell Collectionin 1983 andScottish Exhibition and Conference Centrein 1985 facilitated Glasgow's new role as a European centre for business services and finance and promoted an increase in tourism and inward investment.^[56]The latter continues to be bolstered by the legacy of the city'sGlasgow Garden Festivalin 1988, its status asEuropean Capital of Culturein 1990,^[57]and concerted attempts to diversify the city's economy.^[58]However, it is the industrial heritage that serves as key tourism enabler.^[59]Wider economic revival has persisted and the ongoingregenerationof inner-city areas, including the large-scaleClyde Waterfront Regeneration, has led to more affluent people moving back to live in the centre of Glasgow, fuelling allegations ofgentrification.^[60]In 2008, the city was listed byLonely Planetas one of the world's top 10 tourist cities.^[61]

Despite Glasgow's economic renaissance, theEast Endof the city remains the focus of social deprivation.^[62]A Glasgow Economic Audit report published in 2007 stated that the gap between prosperous and deprived areas of the city is widening.^[63]In 2006, 47% of Glasgow's population lived in the most deprived 15% of areas in Scotland,^[63]while theCentre for Social Justicereported 29.4% of the city's working-age residents to be "economically inactive".^[62]Although marginally behind the UK average, Glasgow still has a higher employment rate than Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.^[63]

In 2007, the city'sprimary airportwas the target of aterrorist attackwhen aJeep Cherokeefilled with propane gas cylinders and petrol cans wasdriven at considerable speed into the entrance of the main terminal building. This was the first time that a terrorist attack had targeted Scotland specifically, and was the second terrorist attack to occur in Scotland following the explosion ofPan Am Flight 103over the town ofLockerbiein theScottish Bordersin December 1988.^[64]Immediately following the incident, a close link was established between the attack in Glasgow and an attack inLondon the previous day. One of the perpetrators of the attack,Kafeel Ahmed, was the only reported casualty, with a following five people sustaining injuries from the attack.^[65]

In 2008 the city was ranked at 43 for Personal Safety in theMercerindex of top 50 safest cities in the world.^[66]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)".^[67]

The city hosted the2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference(COP26) at its main events venue, theSEC Centre. Glasgow hosted the2014 Commonwealth Gamesand the firstEuropean Championshipsin 2018, was one of the host cities forUEFA Euro 2020, and will be a host city of theUEFA Euro 2028.

UK's first official consumption room for illegal drugs includingheroinandcocainewas established in Glasgow, which is set to open on 21 October 2024.^[68]

Although GlasgowCorporationhad been a pioneer in themunicipal socialistmovement from the late-nineteenth century, since theRepresentation of the People Act 1918, Glasgow increasingly supportedleft-wingideas and politics at a national level. Thecity councilwas controlled by theLabour Partyfor over thirty years, since the decline of theProgressives. Since 2007, when local government elections in Scotland began to use thesingle transferable voterather than thefirst-past-the-post system, the dominance of theLabour Partywithin the city started to decline. As a result of the2017 United Kingdom local elections, theSNPwas able to form a minority administration ending Labour's thirty-seven years of uninterrupted control.^[69]

In the aftermath of theRussian Revolution of 1917and theGerman Revolution of 1918–19, the city's frequent strikes and militant organisations caused serious alarm atWestminster, with one uprising in January 1919, theBattle of George Square, promptingLiberalPrime MinisterDavid Lloyd Georgeto deploy 10,000 soldiers and tanks on the city's streets. A huge demonstration in the city'sGeorge Squareon 31 January ended in violence, known as theBattle of George Square, after theRiot Actwas read.^[70]

Industrial actionat the shipyards gave rise to the "Red Clydeside" epithet. During the 1930s, Glasgow was the main base of theIndependent Labour Party. Towards the end of the twentieth century, it became a centre of the struggle against thepoll tax; which was introduced in Scotland a whole year before the rest of the United Kingdom and also served as the main base of theScottish Socialist Party, another left-wing political party in Scotland. The city has not had aConservativeMP since the1982 Hillhead by-election, when theSDPtook 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 in2012, despite having been the controlling party (as theProgressives) from 1969 to 1972 when Sir Donald Liddle was the last non-LabourLord Provost.^[71]

Glasgow is represented in both theHouse of CommonsinLondon, and theScottish Parliamentin Holyrood,Edinburgh. At Westminster, it is represented by sevenMembers 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 sixteenMembers 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 the2016 Scottish Parliament election, Glasgow is represented at Holyrood by 9Scottish National PartyMSPs, 4LabourMSPs, 2ConservativeMSPs and 1Scottish GreenMSP. In the European Parliament, the city formed part of theScotland constituency, which elected sixMembers of the European Parliament(MEPs) prior toBrexit.^[72]

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. TheGlasgow electoral region of the Scottish Parliamentcovers the Glasgow City council area, a north-western part ofSouth Lanarkshireand a small eastern portion ofRenfrewshire. It elects nine of the parliament's 73first past the postconstituency members and seven of the 56additional members. Both kinds of member are known asMembers of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The system of election is designed to produce a form ofproportional representation.^[73]

The first past the post seats were created in 1999 with the names and boundaries of then existingWestminster(House of Commons) constituencies. In 2005, the number of WestminsterMembers of Parliament(MPs) representing Scotland was cut to 59, with new constituencies being formed, while the existing number ofMSPswas retained at Holyrood. In the2011 Scottish Parliament election, the boundaries of the Glasgow region were redrawn.^[74]

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

• Glasgow Anniesland
• Glasgow Cathcart
• Glasgow Kelvin
• Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn
• Glasgow Pollok
• Glasgow Provan
• Glasgow Shettleston
• Glasgow Southside
• Rutherglen

At the2021 Scottish Parliament election, all nine of these constituencies were won byScottish National Party(SNP) candidates. On the regional vote, the Glasgow electoral region is represented by fourLabourMSPs, twoConservativeMSPs and oneGreenMSP.^[75]

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

• Glasgow Central
• Glasgow East
• Glasgow North
• Glasgow North East
• Glasgow North West
• Glasgow South
• Glasgow South West

Following the2014 Scottish independence referendum, in which 53.49% of the electorate of Glasgow voted in favour of Scottish independence; theSNPwon every seat in the city at the2015 general election, including a record-breaking 39.3% swing from Labour to SNP in theGlasgow North Eastconstituency.^[76]

At the2017 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 byPaul Sweeneyof theLabour Party, who narrowly defeated sitting SNP MPAnne McLaughlinby 242 votes.^[77][78]

Since the2019 general election, Glasgow has been represented by 7 Scottish National Party MPs; the Glasgow North East constituency, was regained byAnne McLaughlinof theScottish National Party, resulting in the same clean sweep like4 years previously.^[79]

In theScottish independence referendum, Glasgow voted "Yes" by a margin of53.5% to 46.5%.^[80]In theBrexit 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%.^[81]The city as a whole voted to remain in the EU, by 66.6% to 33.3%.^[82]

Voter turnouthas 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;^[83]in theBrexit referendumthe 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 MPAngus Robertsonplaced this in the historical context of traditional low turnout in Glasgow.^[84]

In the 2015 general election, the six Scottish constituencies with the lowest turnout were all in Glasgow;^[85]turnout further decreased in the 2017 election, when five of the city's seven seats reported a lowered turnout.^[86]

Glasgow is located on the banks of the River Clyde, inWest CentralScotland. Another important river is theKelvin, a tributary of the River Clyde, whose name was used in creating the title ofBaron Kelvinthe renowned physicist for whom theSI unit of temperature, Kelvin, is named.

Theburghof Glasgow was historically inLanarkshire, but close to the border withRenfrewshire. 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 forlieutenancyand judicial purposes.^[87][88]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.^[89]In 1893, the burgh became its own county for lieutenancy and judicial purposes too, being made acounty of itself.^[90]From 1975 to 1996 the city was part ofStrathclyde Region, with the city's council becoming a lower-tierdistrict council. Strathclyde was abolished in 1996, since when the city has again been responsible for all aspects of local government, being one of the 32council areasin Scotland.^[91]

Despite its northerly latitude, similar to that ofMoscow, Glasgow's climate is classified asoceanic(KöppenCfb). 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 theGulf Stream. However, this results in less distinct seasons as compared to continental Western Europe. AtPaisley, 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.^[92][93]

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).^[94]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 severecold waveaffecting 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).^[94]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^[95]31.9 °C (89 °F) at Bishopton in June 2018.^[96]

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 theGorbalsand relocation to "new towns" such asEast KilbrideandCumbernauldled 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, ifcommuter townsand villages are included.^[100]There are two distinct definitions for the population of Glasgow: theGlasgow City Council Areawhich lost the districts ofRutherglenandCambuslangtoSouth Lanarkshirein 1996, and theGreater GlasgowUrban Areawhich includes the conurbation around the city (however in the 2016 definitions^[101]the aforementioned Rutherglen and Cambuslang were included along with the likes ofPaisley,Clydebank,Newton Mearns,BearsdenandSteppsbut not others with no continuity of populated postcodes – although in some cases the gap is small – the excluded nearby settlements includingBarrhead,ErskineandKirkintillochplus 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).^[5]

Population

Location	Population	Area	Density
Glasgow City Council Area[102]	592,820	67.76 sq mi (175.5 km2)	8,541.8/sq mi (3,298.0/km2)
Greater Glasgow Urban Area[5]	985,290	265 km2(102 sq mi)	3,775/km2(9,780/sq mi)
Source:Scotland's Census Results Online[103]

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 fromIreland, especially the north western counties ofDonegal,Fermanagh,TyroneandLondonderry. 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%.^[28]In the early twentieth century, manyLithuanianrefugees began to settle in Glasgow and at its height in the 1950s; there were around 10,000 in the Glasgow area.^[104]ManyItalian Scotsalso settled in Glasgow, originating from provinces likeFrosinoneinLazioandLuccain north-westTuscanyat this time, many originally working as "Hokey Pokey" men.^[105]

Historical population and city limits

Year[106]	Population	Area (km2)	Density (inhabitants/km2)	Area changes
1300	1,500	-[107]	–	Initial
1600	7,000	–	–	Unknown
1791	66,000	7.16	9,217	Anderson to James Street/West Nile Street to Camlachie
1831	202,426	8.83	22,924	Necropolis and Blythswood
1846	280,000	23.44	11,945	Burghs of Anderston and Calton/Barony of Gorbals
1872	494,824	24.42	20,263	Districts of Keppochhill, Alexandra Parade and the new Glasgow University grounds
1891	658,073	48.00	13,709	Burghs of Govanhill, Crosshill, Pollokshields, Maryhill and Hillhead. Districts of Mount Florida, Langside, Shawlands, Kelvinside, Possilpark, Springburn, Coplawhill and the rest of Gorbals
1901	761,712	51.35	14,833	Bellahouston Park and Craigton. Districts of Blackhill, Shawfield and the east end of Glasgow Green
1912	800,000	77.63	10,305	Burghs of Govan, Partick, Pollokshaws. Districts of Shettleston, Tollcross, West of Govan, Cathcart, Newlands, West of Partick, Dawsholm, Temple and Knightswood.
1921	1,034,174	77.63	13,321	No change
1926	1,090,380	119.42	9,130	Districts of Lambhill, Millerston, Aikenhead, Mansewood, Kennishead, Carntyne, Cardonald, Robroyston, Nitshill, Hurlet, Crookston, Cardonald, Scotstoun, Yoker and Knightswood.
1938	1,127,825	160.77	7,015	Districts of Balmuildy, Auchinairn, Cardowan, Gartloch, Queenslie, Linn Park, Jenny Lind, Easterhouse, Darnley, Penilee, Drumry, Drumchapel, Summerston, Hogganfield and Carntyne
1946	1,050,000	160.77	6,531	No change
1951	1,089,555	160.77	6,777	No change
1961	1,055,017	160.77	6,562	No change
1971	897,485	160.77	5,582	No change
1981	774,068	202.35	3,825	Burghs of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, Mount Vernon, Baillieston.
1991	688,600	202.67	3,397	Minor boundary change
2001	586,710	177.30	3,309	Rutherglen and Cambuslang transferred to South Lanarkshire.
2011	599,650	174.70	3,432	Minor boundary change

Ethnic Groups

Ethnic Group	1976 estimations		1981 estimations[108]		1991[109][110]		2001[111]		2011[112]		2022[113]
	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%	Number	%
White: Total	–	–	729,092	97.9%	641,336	96.75%	546,359	94.55%	524,561	88.42%	501,029	80.71%
White:Scottish	–	–	–	–	–	–	503,614	87.15%	466,241	78.59%	416,634	67.12%
White:Other British	–	–	–	–	–	–	20,934	3.62%	24,154	4.07%	35,011	5.64%
White:Irish	–	–	–	–	10,384	1.56%	11,467	1.98%	11,228	1.89%	11,130	1.79%
White:Gypsy/Traveller[d]	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	407	0.07%	201	0.03%
White:Polish[d]	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	8,406	1.42%	12,183	1.96%
White:Other	–	–	–	–	–	–	10,344	1.79%	14,125	2.38%	25,870	4.17%
Asian,Asian ScottishorAsian British: Total	12,000[114]	1.3%	–	–	18,242	2.75%	25,636	4.44%	47,758	8.05%	68,793	11.08%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British:Indian	–	–	–	–	3,374	0.5%	4,173	0.72%	8,640	1.46%	13,990	2.25%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British:Pakistani	–	–	–	–	10,945	1.65%	15,330	2.65%	22,405	3.78%	30,912	4.98%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British:Bangladeshi	–	–	–	–	191	–	237	0.04%	458	0.08%	954	0.15%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British:Chinese	–	–	–	–	2,780	0.41%	3,876	0.67%	10,689	1.80%	14,300	2.30%
Asian, Asian Scottish or Asian British:Asian Other	–	–	–	–	952	0.14%	2,020	0.35%	5,566	0.94%	8,640	1.39%
Black,Black ScottishorBlack British[d]	–	–	–	–	–	–	1,792	0.31%	–	–	–	–
African: Total	–	–	–	–	489	–	–	–	12,440	2.10%	22,272	3.59%
African:African,African ScottishorAfrican British	–	–	–	–	489	–	–	–	12,298	2.07%	2,798	0.45%
African:Other African	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	142	0.02%	19,474	3.14%
CaribbeanorBlack: Total	–	–	–	–	709	–	–	–	1,806	0.30%	1,471	0.24%
Caribbean	–	–	–	–	220		–	–	783	0.13%	335	0.05%
Black	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	820	0.14%	96	0.02%
Caribbean or Black:Other	–	–	–	–	489		–	–	203	0.03%	1,033	0.17%
Mixed or multiple ethnic groups: Total	–	–	–	–	–	–	2,046	0.35%	2,879	0.49%	10,624	1.71%
Other: Total	–	–	–	–	1,840	0.27%	2,036	0.35%	3,801	0.64%	16,571	2.67%
Other:Arab[d]	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	2,631	0.44%	8,671	1.40%
Other: Any other ethnic group	–	–	–	–	1,840	0.27%	2,036	0.35%	1,170	0.20%	7,903	1.27%
Non-White: Total	–	–	15,286	2.1%	21,517	3.25%	31,510	5.45%	68,684	11.58%	119,726	19.29%
Total:	–	–	744,378	100%	662,853	100%	577,869	100%	593,245	100%	620,756	100%

In the 1960s and 1970s, manyAsiansalso settled in Glasgow, mainly in thePollokshieldsarea. These number 30,000Pakistanis, 15,000Indiansand 3,000Bangladeshisas well asChinesepeople, many of whom settled in theGarnethillarea of the city.^{[citation needed]}The city is also home to some 8,406 (1.42%)Poles.^[115]Since 2000, the UK government has pursued a policy of dispersal ofasylum seekersto ease pressure on social housing in theLondonarea. In 2023, 88% of the near 5,100 asylum seekers in the whole of Scotland were living in Glasgow.^[116][117]

Since theUnited Kingdom Census 2001the 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^[118]and around 2,300,000 people live in the Glasgowtravel to work area.^[119]This area is defined as consisting of over 10% of residents travelling into Glasgow to work and is without fixed boundaries.^[120]

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.^[121][122]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.^[123]

In 2005, Glasgow had the lowestlife expectancyof any UK city at 72.9 years.^[124]Much was made of this during the2008 Glasgow East by-election.^[125]In 2008, aWorld Health Organizationreport about health inequalities, revealing that male life expectancy varied from 54 years inCaltonto 82 years in nearbyLenzie,East Dunbartonshire.^[126][127]

Thecity centreis bounded by High Street atGlasgow Crossthe historic centre of civic life, up toGlasgow Cathedralat Castle Street; Saltmarket includingGlasgow GreenandSt Andrew's Squareto the east; Clyde Street and Broomielaw (along the River Clyde) to the south; and Charing Cross and Elmbank Street, beyondBlythswood Squareto the west. The northern boundary (from east to west) follows Cathedral Street to North Hanover Street andGeorge Square. The city centre is based on agrid systemof streets on the north bank of the River Clyde. The heart of the city isGeorge Square, site of many ofGlasgow's public statuesand the elaborate VictorianGlasgow City Chambers, headquarters ofGlasgow 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 embracingBlythswood Hill, Blythswood Holm further down and now including theBroomielawnext to the Clyde. To the south and west are the shopping precincts ofArgyle Street,Sauchiehall StreetandBuchanan Street, the last featuring more upmarket retailers and winner of the Academy of Urbanism "Great Street Award" 2008.^[128]The collection of shops around these streets accumulate to become known as "The Style Mile".^[129]

The main shopping areas includeBuchanan Street, Buchanan Galleries, linking Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street, and theSt. Enoch Centrelinking Argyle Street andSt Enoch Square), with the up-marketPrinces Square, which specifically features shops such asTed Baker, Radley and Kurt Geiger.^[130]Buchanan Galleries and other city centre locales were chosen as locations for the 2013 filmUnder the Skindirected byJonathan Glazer.^[131]Although the Glasgow scenes were shot with hidden cameras, starScarlett Johanssonwas spotted around town.^[132]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.^[133][134]

The city centre is home to most of Glasgow's main cultural venues: theGlasgow Royal Concert Hall,Glasgow City Hall,Theatre Royal(performing home ofScottish OperaandScottish Ballet), thePavilion Theatre, theKing's Theatre,Glasgow Film Theatre,Tron Theatre,Gallery of Modern Art(GoMA), Mitchell Library and Theatre, theCentre for Contemporary Arts,McLellan Galleriesand theLighthouse Museum of Architecture.The world's tallest cinema, the eighteen-screenCineworld, is situated on Renfrew Street. The city centre is also home to four of Glasgow's higher education institutions: theUniversity of Strathclyde, theRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland,Glasgow School of ArtandGlasgow Caledonian University, and to the largest college in Britain – theCity of Glasgow Collegein Cathedral Street.

The Merchant City is the commercial and part-residential district of theMerchant 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 theTobacco Lordsfrom whom many of the streets take their name. With its mercantile wealth, and continuing growth even before theIndustrial Revolution, the city expanded by creating the New Town aroundGeorge Square, soon followed by the New Town of Blythswood onBlythswood Hillwhich includesBlythswood Square.^[135]The original medieval centre around Glasgow Cross and the High Street was left behind.

Glasgow Cross, situated at the junction ofHigh Street, leading up toGlasgow Cathedral, Gallowgate,Trongateand Saltmarket was the original centre of the city, symbolised by itsMercat cross. Glasgow Cross encompasses the Tolbooth Steeple, all that remains of the originalGlasgow Tolbooth, which was demolished in 1921. Moving northward up High Street towardsRottenrowandTownheadlies the 15th centuryGlasgow Cathedraland theProvand's Lordship. Due to growing industrial pollution levels in the mid-to-late 19th century, the area fell out of favour with residents.^[136]

From the 1980s onwards, the Merchant City has been rejuvenated withluxury city centreflats andwarehouse conversions. This regeneration has supported an increasing number of cafés and restaurants.^[137]The area is also home to a number of high end boutique style shops and some of Glasgow's most upmarket stores.^[138]

The Merchant City is one centre of Glasgow's growing "cultural quarter", based on King Street, the Saltmarket andTrongate, and at the heart of the annualMerchant 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.^[139]The artistic and cultural potential of the Merchant City as a "cultural quarter" was harnessed by independent arts organisations andGlasgow City Council,^[139]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.^[140]The area also contains a number of theatres and concert venues, including theTron Theatre, the Old Fruitmarket, the Trades Hall, St. Andrew's in the Square, Merchant Square, and theCity Halls.^[141]

Glasgow's West End grew firstly to and aroundBlythswood SquareandGarnethill, extending then toWoodlands HillandGreat 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 ofKelvingrove Park, theUniversity of Glasgow,Glasgow Botanic Gardensand theScottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, focused especially on the area's main thoroughfares of Argyle Street (Finnieston), Great Western Road andByres Road. The area is popular with tourists and students. The West End includes residential areas ofHillhead,Dowanhill,Kelvingrove,Kelvinside,Hyndland,Broomhill,Scotstoun,Jordanhill,Kelvindale,AnnieslandandPartick. The name is also increasingly being used to refer to any area to the west ofCharing Cross. The West End is bisected by theRiver Kelvin, which flows from theCampsie Fellsin the north and confluences with the River Clyde at Yorkhill Quay.

The spire ofSir George Gilbert Scott'sGlasgow Universitymain building (the second largestGothic Revivalbuilding 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 theEnglish-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 theKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum,Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery,Kelvin Hallmuseums and research facilities, stores, and community sport. Adjacent to the Kelvin Hall was theMuseum of Transport, which reopened in 2010 after moving to a new location on a former dockland site atGlasgow Harbourwhere the River Kelvin flows into the Clyde. The new building is built to a design byZaha Hadid. TheWest End Festival, one of Glasgow's largest festivals, is held annually in June.

Glasgow is the home of theSEC Centre, Great Britain's largest exhibition and conference centre.^{[142][143][144]}On 30 September 2013, a major expansion of the SECC facilities at the former Queen's Dock byFoster and Partnersofficially opened – the 13,000-seatHydroarena. Adjacent to the SECC at Queen's Dock is theClydeside distillery, aScotch whiskydistillerythat opened in 2017 in the former dock pump house.^[145]

The East End extends fromGlasgow Crossin theCity Centreto the boundary withNorthandSouth Lanarkshire. It is home to theGlasgow Barrowland market, popularly known as "The Barras",^[146]Barrowland Ballroom,Glasgow Green, andCeltic Park, home ofCeltic FC. Many of the original sandstone tenements remain in this district. The East End was once a major industrial centre, home toSir William Arrol & Co.,James Templeton & CoandWilliam Beardmore and Company. A notable local employer continues to be theWellpark Brewery, home ofTennent's Lager.

TheGlasgow NecropolisGarden Cemetery was created by the Merchants House on a hill above thecathedralin 1831. Routes curve through the landscape uphill to the 21.3-metre-high (70 ft)^[147]statue ofJohn Knoxat 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 byDavid Dale, whose former scale can be gauged by the one remaining house, now run by theNational Trust for Scotland. Further along Charlotte Street there stands a modernGillespie, Kidd & Coiabuilding 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.^[148]

East of Glasgow Cross isSt 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 wealthytobacco merchants. Also close by is the more modestEpiscopalianSt 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. Overlooking Glasgow Green is the façade ofTempleton On The Green, featuring vibrantpolychromaticbrickwork intended to evoke theDoge's PalaceinVenice.^[149]The extensiveTollcross Parkwas originally developed from the estate of James Dunlop, the owner of a local steelworks. His largebaronialmansion was built in 1848 byDavid Bryce, which later housed the city's Children's Museum until the 1980s. Today, the mansion is a sheltered housing complex. The newScottish National Indoor Sports Arena, a modern replacement for theKelvin Hall, is inDalmarnock. The area was the site of theAthletes' Villagefor the2014 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.^[150]To the north of the East End lie the two largegasometersofProvan Gas Works, which stand overlookingAlexandra Parkand a major interchange between the M8 andM80motorways.^{[151][152][153]}

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 asNewton Mearns,Clarkston, andGiffnock, all of which are inEast Renfrewshire, as well asThorntonhallinSouth Lanarkshire.NewlandsandDumbreckare examples of high-value residential districts within the city boundaries. There are many areas containing a high concentration of sandstone tenements likeShawlands, which is considered the "Heart of the Southside", with other examples beingBattlefield,GovanhillandMount Florida.^[154]The large suburb ofPollokshieldscomprises 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 asToryglen,Pollok,CastlemilkandArden. The towns ofCambuslangandRutherglenwere included in the City of Glasgow district from 1975 to 1996, but are now in theSouth Lanarkshirecouncil area.^{[155][156][157]}

Although predominantly residential, the area does have several notable public buildings including,Charles Rennie Mackintosh'sScotland Street School MuseumandHouse for an Art Lover; theBurrell CollectioninPollok Country Park;Alexander "Greek" Thomson'sHolmwood Housevilla; the National Football StadiumHampden ParkinMount Florida(home ofQueens Park FC) andIbrox Stadium(home ofRangers FC).

The former docklands site atPacific Quayon the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the SECC, is the site of theGlasgow Science Centreand the headquarters ofBBC ScotlandandSTV Group(owner ofSTV), in a new purpose-built digital media campus.

In addition, several new bridges spanning the River Clyde have been built, including theClyde Arcknown by locals as the Squinty Bridge atPacific Quayand others atTradestonand Springfield Quay.

The South Side also includes many public parks, includingLinn Park,Queen's Park, andBellahouston Parkand several golf clubs, including the championship course atHaggs Castle. The South Side is also home to the largePollok Country Park, which was awarded the accolade of Europe's Best Park 2008.^[158]The southside also directly bordersRouken Glen Parkin neighbouringGiffnock. 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 theDams to Darnley Country Parkwas designated, although half of the park is inEast Renfrewshire. As of 2021 the facilities at the still new park are quite lacking.

Govanis a district and former burgh in the south-western part of the city. It is situated on the south bank of the River Clyde, oppositePartick. 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 andshipbuildingcentre of international repute and is home to one of twoBAE Systems Surface Ships shipyardson the River Clyde and theprecision engineeringfirm,Thales Optronics. It is also home to theQueen Elizabeth University Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the country, and the maintenance depot for theGlasgow Subwaysystem. The wider Govan area includes the districts ofIbrox,Cessnock,Kinning ParkandKingston.

North Glasgow extends out from the north of the city centre towards the affluent suburbs ofBearsden,MilngavieandBishopbriggsinEast DunbartonshireandClydebankinWest 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 asRuchill, which have been transformed; many run-down tenements have now been refurbished or replaced by modernhousing estates. Much of the housing stock in north Glasgow is rentedsocial housing, with a high proportion of high-rise tower blocks, managed by the North Glasgow Housing Association trading as NG Homes andGlasgow Housing Association.

Maryhillconsists 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 asMaryhill ParkandNorth Kelvinside. Maryhill is also the location ofFirhill Stadium, home ofPartick Thistle F.C.since 1909. Thejuniorteam,Maryhill F.C.are also located in this part of north Glasgow.

TheForth and Clyde Canalpasses 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.

Sighthillwas home to Scotland's largestasylum seekercommunity but the area is now regenerated as part of the Youth Olympic Games bid.^[159]

A huge part of the economic life of Glasgow was once located inSpringburn, where theSaracen Foundry, engineering works of firms likeCharles Tennantand 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 theNorth British Locomotive Company. Today part of theGlasgow Workscontinues in use as a railway maintenance facility, all that is left of the industry in Springburn. It is proposed for closure in 2019.^[160]Riddriein the north east was intensively developed in the 1920s and retains several listed developments in the Art Deco style.

The city has many amenities for a wide range of cultural activities, fromcurlingto opera and ballet and fromfootballto art appreciation; it also has a large selection of museums that include those devoted to transport, religion, andmodern art. Many of the city's cultural sites were celebrated in 1990 when Glasgow was designatedEuropean Capital of Culture.^[161]

The city's principal municipal library, theMitchell Library, has grown into one of the largest public referencelibrariesin Europe, currently housing some 1.3 million books, an extensive collection of newspapers and thousands of photographs andmaps.^[162]Of academic libraries,Glasgow University Librarystarted in the 15th century and is one of the oldest and largest libraries in Europe, with unique and distinctive collections of international status.^[163]

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

Glasgow has its own "Poet Laureate", a post created in 1999 forEdwin Morgan^[164]and occupied byLiz Lochheadfrom 2005^[165]until 2011, when she stood down to take up the position of Scots Makar.^[166]Jim Carruth was appointed to the position of Poet Laureate for Glasgow in 2014 as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games legacy.^[167]

In 2013,PETAdeclared Glasgow to be the most vegan-friendly city in the UK.^[168]

Glasgow is home to major theatres including theTheatre Royal, theKing's Theatre,Pavilion Theatreand theCitizens Theatreand home to many museums and art galleries, the largest and most famous being theKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, theHunterian Museum and Art Gallery,Burrell Collection, and theGallery 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 Culture1990, National City of Sport 1995–1999 and European Capital of Sport 2003. Glasgow has also hosted theNational Mòdno less than twelve times since 1895.^[169]

In addition, unlike the older and largerEdinburgh Festival(where all Edinburgh's main festivals occur in the last three weeks of August), Glasgow's festivals fill the calendar. Festivals include theGlasgow 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 theWorld Pipe Band Championships.

The city is home to numerous orchestras, ensembles and bands including those ofScottish Opera,Scottish Ballet,Royal Scottish National Orchestra,BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestraand related to theRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland, theNational Youth Orchestra of Scotlandand 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 theGlasgow Royal Concert Hall,The OVO Hydro, theSECC,Glasgow Cathouse, The Art School,King Tut's Wah Wah Hut(whereOasiswere spotted and signed by Glaswegian record mogulAlan McGee), theQueen Margaret Union(who haveKurt Cobain's footprint locked in a safe),the Barrowland, a ballroom converted into a live music venue as well asThe Garage, which is the largest nightclub in Scotland. More recent mid-sized venues includeABC, destroyed in the art school fire of 15 June 2018, and theO₂Academy, 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.^[171]In 2010, Glasgow was named the UK's fourth "most musical" city byPRS for Music.^[172]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^[173]

Since the 1980s, the success of bands such asThe 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, andPrimal Screamhas significantly boosted the profile of the Glasgow music scene, promptingTimemagazine to liken Glasgow toDetroitduring its 1960sMotownheyday.^[174]Artists to achieve successful from Glasgow during the 2000s and 2010s includeThe Fratellis,Chvrches,Rustie,Vukovi,GlasvegasandTwin Atlantic. The city of Glasgow was appointed aUNESCOCity of Music on 20 August 2008 as part of theCreative Cities Network.

Glasgow's contemporary dance music scene has been spearheaded bySlam, and their record labelSoma Quality Recordings,^[175]with their Pressure club nights attracting DJs and clubbers from around the world; these nights were hosted byThe Archesbut moved toSub Clubafter 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.^[176][177]

TheMOBO Awardswere held at theSECCon 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 the2014 MTV Europe Music AwardsatThe 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 inBelfast,Northern Ireland. The event was hosted byNicki Minajand featured performances fromAriana Grande,Enrique Iglesias,Ed Sheeran,U2andSlash.

There have been hundreds of films made about Glasgow or in Glasgow.^[178]

BothBBC ScotlandandSTVhave their headquarters in Glasgow. Television programs filmed in Glasgow includeRab C. Nesbitt,Taggart,Tutti Frutti,High Times,River City,City Lights,Chewin' the Fat,Still Game,Limmy's ShowandLovesick. Most recently the long-running seriesQuestion Timeand the early evening quiz programmeEggheadsmoved its production base to the city. Most National Lottery game shows are also filmed in Glasgow. children's game showCopycatsis filmed there, and the Irish/UK programmeMrs. Brown's Boysis filmed at BBC Scotland.

The Scottish press publishes various newspapers in the city such asThe Evening Times,The Herald,The Sunday Herald, theSunday Mailand theDaily Record. Scottish editions ofTrinity MirrorandNews Internationaltitles are printed in the city.STV Groupis 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 brandedSTV. 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 includedThe Riverside Show,Scottish Kitchen,City Safari,Football ShowandLive 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 itsGaelic-language sister station, which is also based inStornoway.Bauer Radioowns the principal commercial radio stations in Glasgow:Clyde 1andGreatest Hits Radio Glasgow & The West, which can reach over 2.3 million listeners.^[179]In 2004, STV Group plc (then known as SMG plc) sold its 27.8% stake inScottish Radio Holdingsto the broadcasting groupEMAPfor £90.5 million. Other stations broadcasting from Glasgow includeSmooth Scotland,Heart Scotland, which are owned byGlobal. Global Radio's Central Scotland radio stationCapital Scotlandalso broadcasts from studios in Glasgow.Nation Radio Scotland, owned byNation Broadcasting, also broadcasts from the city. The city has a strongcommunity radiosector, includingCeltic Music Radio,Subcity Radio, Radio Magnetic,Sunny Govan Radio, AWAZ FM and Insight Radio.

Glasgow is a city of significant religious diversity. TheChurch of Scotlandand theRoman Catholic Churchare the two largest Christian denominations in the city. There are 147 congregations in the Church of Scotland'sPresbytery of Glasgow(of which 104 are within the city boundaries, the other 43 being in adjacent areas).^[180]Within the city boundaries there are 65 parishes of theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow^[181]and four parishes of theDiocese of Motherwell.^[182]The city has four Christiancathedrals:Glasgow Cathedral, of the Church of Scotland;St Andrew's Cathedral, of the Roman Catholic Church;St Mary's Cathedral, of theScottish Episcopal Church, andSt Luke's Cathedral, of theGreek Orthodox Church. The Baptist Church and Salvation Army are well represented.

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%).^[183]Much of the city's Roman Catholic population are those ofIrish ancestry. The divisions between the two denominations and their respective communities play a major part insectarianism in Glasgow, in a similar nature to that ofNorthern Ireland, although not segregated territorially as inBelfast.^[184][185]

Biblical unitariansare represented by threeChristadelphianecclesias, referred to geographically, as "South",^[186]"Central"^[187]and "Kelvin".^[188]

TheSikhcommunity is served by fourGurdwaras. Two are situated in the West End (Central Gurdwara Singh SabhainSandyfordandGuru Nanak Sikh TempleinKelvinbridge) and two in the Southside area ofPollokshields(Guru Granth Sahib GurdwaraandSri 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.^[189]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.^[190]

Glasgow Central Mosquein 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.^[191]Glasgow also has a Hindumandir.

Glasgow has seven synagogues, including the Romanesque-revivalGarnethill Synagoguein the city centre. Glasgow currently has the seventh largest Jewish population in the United Kingdom afterLondon,Manchester,Leeds,Gateshead,BrightonandBournemouthbut once had a Jewish population second only to London, estimated at 20,000 in the Gorbals alone.^[192]

In 1993, theSt Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Artopened in Glasgow. It is believed to be the only public museum to examine all the world's major religious faiths.^[193][194]

Glasgow is Scotland's main locus ofGaeliclanguage use outside theHighlands 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, onlyInverness, the unofficial capital of theHighlands, has a higher percentage of Gaelic speakers.^[195]In theGreater Glasgowarea there were 8,899 Gaelic-speakers, amounting to 0.8% of the population.^[196]Both the Gaelic language television stationBBC Albaand the Gaelic language radio stationBBC Radio nan Gàidhealhave studios in Glasgow, their only locations outside theHighlands and Islands.^[197]

Very little ofmedievalGlasgow remains; the two main landmarks from this period being the 15th-centuryProvand's Lordshipand 13th-centurySt. 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 ofCathcart Castle, completedc. 1450with a view over the landscape in all directions. It was at this castleMary Queen of Scotssupposedly spent the night before her defeat at theBattle of Langsidein 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 ofVictorian architecture: theGlasgow City Chambers; the main building of theUniversity of Glasgow, designed bySir George Gilbert Scott; and theKelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, designed bySir John W. Simpson, are notable examples.

The city is notable for architecture designed by theGlasgow School, the most notable exponent of that style beingCharles Rennie Mackintosh. Mackintosh was an architect and designer in theArts and Crafts Movementand the main exponent ofArt Nouveauin the United Kingdom, designing numerous noted Glasgow buildings such as theGlasgow School of Art,Willow Tearoomsand theScotland Street School Museum. A hidden gem of Glasgow, also designed by Mackintosh, is theQueen's Cross Church, the only church by the renowned artist to be built.^[199]

Another architect who has had an enduring impact on the city's appearance isAlexander Thomson, with notable examples including theHolmwood Housevilla, and likewise SirJohn 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. Theshipyards,marine engineering, steel making, andheavy industryall contributed to the growth of the city.

Many of the city's buildings were built with red or blondsandstone, but during the industrial era those colours disappeared under a pervasive black layer of soot and pollutants from thefurnaces, until theClean Air Actwas 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.^[200]

Modern buildings in Glasgow include theGlasgow Royal Concert Hall, and along the banks of the Clyde are theGlasgow Science Centre,The OVO Hydroand theScottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, whoseClyde Auditoriumwas designed bySir Norman Foster, and is colloquially known as the "Armadillo". In 2006Zaha Hadidwon a competition to design the newMuseum of Transport.^[201]Hadid's museum opened on the waterfront in 2011 and has been renamed theRiverside Museumto reflect the change in location and to celebrate Glasgow's rich industrial heritage stemming from the Clyde.^[202]

Glasgow's historical and modern architectural traditions were celebrated in 1999 when the city was designated UK City of Architecture and Design,^[203]winning the accolade overLiverpoolandEdinburgh.^[204]

Glasgow has the largesteconomy in Scotland^[12]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%.^[205]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.^[206]55% of the residents in theGreater Glasgowarea 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 asAggreko,Weir Group,Clyde Blowers,Howden,Linn Products,Firebrand Games,William Grant & Sons,Whyte and Mackay,The Edrington Group,British Polar EnginesandAlbion Motors.^[207]

In 2023, major industries in the Glasgow City Region contributing to the economy of the city were public admin education & health, distribution, hotels & restaurants, banking, finance and insurance services and transport & communication.^[208]

Glasgow has a large urban transport system, mostly managed by theStrathclyde Partnership for Transport(SPT). The city has many bus services; sincebus deregulationalmost 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 ScotlandandGlasgow Citybus. The main bus terminal in the city isBuchanan bus station.

Glasgow has the most extensiveurban railnetwork in the UK outside London, with rail services travelling to a large part of theWest of Scotland. Most lines were electrified underBritish Rail. All trains running within Scotland, including the local Glasgow trains, are operated byScotRail, which is owned by theScottish Government.Central stationandQueen Street stationare the two main railway terminals. Glasgow Central is the terminus of the 642 km (399 mi) longWest Coast Main Line^[209]fromLondon Euston, as well asTransPennine Expressservices from Manchester andCrossCountryservices 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.

The city's suburban network is currently divided by the River Clyde and theCrossrail Glasgowinitiative has been proposed to link them; it is currently awaiting funding from the Scottish Government. The city is linked to Edinburgh byfour direct railway links. In addition to the suburban rail network, SPT operates theGlasgow Subway. The Subway is the United Kingdom's only completely undergroundmetrosystem and is generally recognised as the world's third oldest underground railway after theLondon Undergroundand theBudapest Metro.^[211]Both railway and subway stations have a number ofpark and ridefacilities.

As part of the wider regeneration along the banks of the River Clyde, abus rapid transitsystem calledClyde Fastlinkis operational between Glasgow City Centre to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.^[212]

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 theCity of Glasgow College, Nautical Campus, from which graduate around one third of all such graduates in the United Kingdom.^[213]

The main operational dock within Glasgow operated byClydeportis theKing George V Dock, near Braehead. Since the advent ofcontainerisation, most other facilities, such asHunterston Terminal, are located in the deep waters of theFirth 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 theSea of the Hebrides.^[214]

Leisure and tourist sailing is important, at marinas and towns of the Clyde, including thePSWaverley, the world's last operational seagoingpaddle-steamer.^[215]

The main M8 motorway passes around the city centre and connects with theM77,M74,M73andM80motorways, all of which pass within the city's boundaries. TheA82connects Glasgow toArgylland the westernHighlands. TheM74runs directly south towardsCarlisle.

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

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 areGlasgow 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 andGlasgow 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 theGlasgow Airport Rail Linkin 2009.^[216]As of 2019, local authorities have approved plans for a "Glasgow Metro", including a connection to the International Airport.^[217]

Glasgow is known for itstenements; the red and blondsandstonebuildings are some of the most recognisable features of the city.^[218]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.^[219]TheHyndlandarea of Glasgow became the first tenement conservation area in the UK^[220]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 intower blocksin the 1960s, along with largeoverspill estateson the periphery of the city, in areas likePollok,Nitshill,Castlemilk,Easterhouse,MiltonandDrumchapel.^[221]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.^[222]The massive demand at that time outstripped the pace of new building, and many originally fine tenements often became overcrowded and unsanitary.^[223]Many degenerated into infamousslums, such as the Gorbals.

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 theTrongate,High StreetandGlasgow Cross.^[224]Subsequenturban renewalinitiatives, such as those motivated by theBruce Report, entailed the comprehensive demolition of slum tenement areas, the development ofnew townson 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.^[225]Many of Glasgow's worst tenements were refurbished into desirable accommodation in the 1970s and 1980s^[225]and the policy of demolition is considered to have destroyed many fine examples of a "universally admired architectural" style.^[219]TheGlasgow Housing Associationtook 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.^[226]

Medical care is mainly provided byNHS Scotlandand is directly administered byNHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Major hospitals, including those withAccident & Emergencyprovision, are: theWestern Infirmary,Gartnavel General Hospital,Glasgow Royal Infirmaryand theDental Hospitalin the city Centre,Stobhill Hospitalin the North and theVictoria InfirmaryandQueen Elizabeth University Hospitalin the South Side.Gartnavel Royal Hospitaland The Priory are the two major psychiatric hospitals based in Glasgow.

TheQueen Elizabeth University Hospital(QEUH) Campus is a 1,677-bed acute hospital located inGovanin the south-west of Glasgow. The hospital is built on the site of the formerSouthern General Hospitaland 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^[227]and is also the largest hospital campus in Europe.^[228]

There is also an emergency telephone service provided byNHS 24and 24-hour access togeneral practitionersthrough out-of-hours centres.Paramedicservices are provided by theScottish Ambulance Serviceand supported by voluntary bodies like theSt. Andrew's Ambulance Association. A strongteachingtradition is maintained between the city's main hospitals and theUniversity 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 theNuffieldin the west end and Ross Hall in the south side of the city.

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:

• University of Glasgow^[229]
• University of Strathclyde^[230]
• Glasgow Caledonian University^[231]
• University of the West of Scotland^[232]
• The Glasgow School of Art^[233]
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland^[234]
• City of Glasgow College^[213]
• Glasgow Clyde College^[235]
• Glasgow Kelvin College^[236]
• West College Scotland^[237]

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.^[238]The majority of those who live away from home reside inShawlands,Dennistounand the West End of the city.^[239]

The City Council operates 29 secondary schools, 149 primary schools and three specialist schools – the Dance School of Scotland,Glasgow School of Sportand theGlasgow Gaelic School(Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu), the only secondary school in Scotland to teach exclusively inGaelic. Outdoor Education facilities are provided by the city council at the Blairvadach Centre, nearHelensburgh.Jordanhill Schoolis operated directly by theScottish Government. Glasgow also has a number ofIndependent schools, includingThe 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 asCraigholme School(closed 2020),Glasgow Academy,Kelvinside AcademyandSt. Aloysius' College. Glasgow is part of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities.^[240]

The world's first internationalfootballmatch was held in 1872 at theWest of Scotland Cricket Club'sHamilton Crescentground in thePartickarea of the city. The match, betweenScotlandandEnglandfinished 0–0.^[241]

Glasgow was the first city (since joined byLiverpoolin 1985,Madridin 1986, 2014, 2016 and 2018,Milanin 1994 andLondonin 2019) to have had two football teams in European finals in the same season:^[242]in 1967,Celticcompeted in and won theEuropean Cupfinal, with rivalsRangerscompeting in theCup Winners' Cupfinal. Rangers were the first football club from the United Kingdom to reach a European final, doing so in1961. 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 ofJock Steinin1967, beforeManchester Unitedthe following year. Celtic also went on to reach another European Cup Final in1970, losing toFeyenoord, and also the final of theUEFA Cupin2003, where they lost an enthralling match which finished 3–2 to Portuguese clubPorto. Rangers also reached the final of the same competition in2008, where they lost toZenit Saint Petersburgof Russia.^[243]

Hampden Park, which is Scotland's national football stadium, holds the European record for attendance at a football match: 149,547^[244]saw Scotland beat England 3–1 in 1937, in the days before leading British stadia becameall-seated. Hampden Park has hosted the final of theUEFA Champions Leagueon three occasions, most recently in 2002 and hosted theUEFA CupFinal in 2007.Celtic Park(60,411 seats) is located in the east end of Glasgow, andIbrox Stadium(50,817 seats) on the south side.^[245]

Glasgow has four professional football clubs, who all play in theSPFL:Celtic,Rangers,Partick Thistle, andQueen's Park(after their move from amateur status in November 2019). Prior to this, Glasgow had two other professional teams:Clyde(now playing inHamilton) andThird Lanark(liquidated in 1967), plus four others active in the league in the 19th century:Thistle,Cowlairs,NorthernandLinthouse. There are a number ofWest of Scotland Football Leagueclubs within the city as well, such asPollok,Maryhill,Benburb,Ashfield,Glasgow Perthshire F.C.,Glasgow United(formerly Shettleston Juniors), andPetershill, plus numerous amateur teams.^[246]

The history of football in the city, as well as the status of theOld Firm, attracts many visitors to football matches in the city throughout the season. TheScottish Football Association, the national governing body, and theScottish Football Museumare based in Glasgow, as are theScottish Professional Football League,Scottish Junior Football AssociationandScottish Amateur Football Association. TheGlasgow Cupwas 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 Cityare the champions of theScottish Women's Premier League.^[247]Other local teams includeGlasgow Girlsand the women's sections of the men's clubs:CelticandRangersplay in the top division.

Club	Founded	League	Venue	Capacity
Celtic F.C.	1888	Scottish Premiership	Celtic Park	60,411[248]
Rangers F.C.	1872	Scottish Premiership	Ibrox Stadium	50,817[249]
Partick Thistle F.C.	1876	Scottish Championship	Firhill Stadium	10,102[250]
Queen's Park F.C.	1867	Scottish Championship	Ochilview Park	3,746[250]

Glasgow has a professionalrugby unionclub, theGlasgow Warriors, which plays in theEuropean Rugby Champions CupandPro14alongside teams from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Italy and South Africa. The Warriors current home isScotstoun Stadiumand has been since 2012, previously they played atFirhill Stadium. They have won theMelrose 7sin 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.^[251]

In the Scottish League,Glasgow Hawks RFCwas formed in 1997 by the merger of two of Glasgow's oldest clubs:Glasgow AcademicalsandGlasgow 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.^[252]

South of Glasgow, in East Renfrewshire, in the suburb of Giffnock, is based another of Glasgow area's most prominent clubsGlasgow Hutchesons Aloysians RFC(GHA). GHA was formed in 2002 with the merger of two of Glasgow's leading clubs at the time,Glasgow Southern RFCandHutchesons AloysiansRFC.^[253]

Cartha Queen's Parkplay at Dumbreck, within the city.^[254]

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 theScottish Rugby Union. The club was originally based in Partick atHamilton Crescentbut is now based outside the city, at Burnbrae, Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire.^[255]

TheEasterhouse Panthersbased in the East End of Glasgow are arugby leagueteam who play in theRugby League Conference Scotland Division.^[256]From 1966 to 1986, the Glasgow Dynamos played at Crossmyloof Ice Rink.^[257]Since October 2010 a team called theGlasgow Clanbased in the nearbyBraehead ArenainRenfrewshirehas played in the professionalElite Ice Hockey Leaguealongside two other Scottish teams, theFife Flyersand theDundee Stars.^[258]

TheArlington Baths Clubwas founded in 1870. It is situated in theWoodlandsarea of the city and is still in use today.^[259]It is believed the club's first Baths MasterWilliam Wilsoninventedwater poloat the club. The Arlington inspired other Swimming Clubs and theWestern Baths, which opened in 1876, is also still in existence in nearbyHillhead.^[260]

Glasgow hosts Scotland's only professional basketball team, theCaledonia Gladiators, who compete in theBritish Basketball League. Previously based in Renfrewshire'sBraehead Arenaand the 1,200-seat Kelvin Hall, the team has been based at the Emirates Arena since the 2012/13 season.^[261]Major international sporting arenas include the Kelvin Hall andScotstounSports 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.^[262]

Glasgow is also host to manycricketclubs includingClydesdale Cricket Clubwho have been title winners for the Scottish Cup many times. This club also acted as a neutral venue for aOne Day Internationalmatch betweenIndiaandPakistanin 2007, but due to bad weather it was called off.^[263]

Smaller sporting facilities include an abundance of outdoorplaying fields, as well as golf clubs such asHaggs Castleand artificial ski slopes. Between 1998 and 2004, theScottish ClaymoresAmerican footballteam played some or all of their home games each season at Hampden Park and the venue also hostedWorld BowlXI.^[264]

Glasgow Green and theGorbalsare home to a number ofrowingclubs, some with open membership the rest belonging to universities or schools. Historically, rowing races on theRiver Clydehere attracted huge crowds of spectators to watch regattas in the late 19th century and early 20th century;^[265]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.^[266]

Motorcycle speedwayracing was first introduced to Glasgow in 1928 and is currently staged atAshfield Stadiumin the North of the city. The home club,Glasgow Tigers, compete in theSGB Championship, the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Britain.^[267]Glasgow is also one of five places in Scotland that hosts the final of the Scottish Cup ofShinty, better known as theCamanachd 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.^[268]

Glasgowbidto host the2018 Summer Youth Olympicsbut lost toBuenos Airesin the 4 July 2013 vote.^[269]Glasgow was the host of the2018 European Sports Championshipsalong withBerlin(hosts of the2018 European Athletics Championships).^[270]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 inDumfries & Galloway(para-cycling road) andStirling(time trial).^[271]

On 9 November 2007, Glasgow was selected to be the host city of the 2014Commonwealth Games. The games were held at a number of existing and newly constructed sporting venues across the city, including a refurbishedHampden Park,Kelvingrove Park,Kelvin Hall, and theOVO Hydroat theSECC. The opening ceremony was held at Celtic Park. 2014 was the third time the Games have been held in Scotland.^[272][273]

Glasgow was the Scottish host city for the pan–EuropeanUEFA Euro 2020tournament, with the group of 16 matches being played at the city'sHampden Park.^[274]In 2023, Scotland, along withEngland,Northern Ireland,Republic of IrelandandWales, were confirmed hosts for theUEFA Euro 2028tournament, again with Hampden Stadium being the selected Scottish stadium to host matches.^[275]

• 5 April 1902 –1902 Ibrox disaster– 25 spectators died and more than 500 were injured when a new wooden stand at theIbrox Parkstadium collapsed during anEngland–Scotland match.^[276]
• 1960s/1970s – Many perished at three major blazes: theCheapside Street whisky bond firein Cheapside Street,Anderston(1960, 19 killed);^[277]theJames Watt Street fire(1968, 22 killed);^[278]and theKilbirnie Street fire(1972, seven killed).^[279]
• 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– Twojihadistterrorists –Bilal AbdullahandKafeel Ahmed–deliberately droveaJeep CherokeeSUVloaded with propane cylinders into the glass doors of a crowded terminal atGlasgow International Airportin an attemptedsuicide attack. Aconcrete security pillarblocked 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 inWoolwich Crown Courtof conspiracy to murder through terrorism and was sentenced to at least 32 years' imprisonment.^[280][281]The perpetrators were also linked to afailed car bombing in Londonthe previous day. Ahmed's brother Sabeel Ahmed pleaded guilty to failing to disclose information about an act of terrorism and was deported.^[281]
• 29 November 2013 –2013 Glasgow helicopter crash– AEurocopter EC135-T2+police helicopter(operated by Bond Air Services forPolice Scotland) crashed on top of The Clutha Vaults Bar inGlasgow City Centre, killing all aboard the helicopter (the pilot and two crew members) and seven people in the pub. The cause of the crash wasfuel starvationdue topilot error.^[282][283]
• 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, onQueen Street, Glasgow, before crashing into the Millennium Hotel. The subsequentfatal accident inquiryestablished that the driver had suffered a "neurocardiogenicsyncope" (fainting) episode that caused him to lose control of his vehicle.^[284][285]
• 29 December 2014 – firstEbola viruscase in Scotland –Pauline Cafferkey, a nurse returning to Glasgow fromKerry Towntreatment centre,Sierra Leone,West Africawhere 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 outin 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 remains unknown.

There is an area on PlanetMarswhichNASAhas named Glasgow, after Scotland's largest city. TheMars rover Curiosity, which landed on the planet in August 2012, has drilled at the site.^[286][287]

Glasgow istwinnedwith:^[288]

From 1986 to 2022, Glasgow was also twinned withRostov-on-Don, Russia.^[288]

The city is also in a partnership with:

• Outline of Glasgow

• "Glasgow".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 12 (11th ed.). 1911.
• Glasgow districts map and other Glasgow mapsArchived9 June 2019 at theWayback Machine
• GlasgowatCurlie
• Glasgow City Council
• Interactive Attractions Map of Central GlasgowArchived14 May 2008 at theWayback Machine
• TheGlasgowStory
• National Library of Scotland: Scottish Screen Archive (archive films relating to Glasgow)