Glasgow is Scotland's second and largest city, situated on the banks of the River Clyde; it is the gateway to the Trossachs, the beautiful West Coast and the Highlands of Scotland. Glasgow is a busy, friendly, vibrant city with fine architecture, superb shopping facilities and a wide cultural interest.
Glasgow is one of the liveliest and most cosmopolitan destinations in Europe. The city has been reborn as a centre of style and vitality set against a backdrop of outstanding Victorian architecture. Glasgow boasts world famous art collections, the best shopping in the United Kingdom outside London, and the most vibrant nightlife in Scotland. A must see is the Art Nouveau splendour of Scotland's best known architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh, whose inimitable style adorns attractions such as The Lighthouse, Glasgow School of Art, and House for an Art Lover.
St. Kentigern, known as St. Mungo built a church in the area in 543AD as settlers came to join the Christian missionary, Glasgow began to develop. In the 12th century a cathedral was built on the site of the saint's burial place. The town grew in importance and in 1451 became the home of the Second University in Scotland.
In the 17th century Glasgow became prosperous through trading with North America, in tobacco, sugar and cotton. The fast clipper ships of the Glasgow merchants sailed between Glasgow and Virginia, bringing goods from the new world into the new Port Glasgow, up the River Clyde which had been widened and deepened, into the city of Glasgow.
During the Industrial Revolution, Glasgow became renowned for its heavy industry and shipbuilding. By the 19th century, the majority of British Steam ships were being built on Clydeside, this continued until a decline in heavy industry in the 20th century. The great wealth of the area can be seen today in its fine buildings, several were the gifts of rich ship builders and industrialists of the city.
