Best places to visit in Glasglow on a budget.
By Anita Draycott
Here’s how to enjoy Glasgow on a budget that even the thriftiest Scot would endorse.
- Big Mac
Barcelona has Gaudi, Chicago has Frank Lloyd Wright and Glasgow has the Art Nouveau genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. £10 buys a one-day ticket for the Macintosh Trail giving you unlimited travel on bus and subway in Greater Glasgow, entry to more than a dozen attractions including the Glasgow School of Art, House for an Art Lover and the Willow Tea Rooms.
- Pub Grub
Established in 1884, the Horse Shoe Bar at 17 Drury Lane boasts the longest bar in Europe according to the Guinness Book of Records. Hobnob with the locals here and enjoy a hot meat pie and a cold pint.
- Citizen M
This trendy hotel in the heart of Glasgow combines budget and luxury. The “M” stands for “Mobile Citizen of the World.” Rooms remind me of oversized aircraft toilet cabinets. You get a comfy bed and compact facilities. The hotel spends its money on the lobby where there are lots of sitting areas, books, canteen, TVs, etc. Expect to mingle with businessmen and backpackers. Rooms with king bed start at about £75 at what Travelers’ Choice 2010/11 named the “trendiest hotel in the world.”
- Admission Free
Glasgow’s museums and galleries are open seven days a week and admission is free. Must-sees include: The Burrell Collection, a treasure trove of more than 8,000 objects collected by shipping magnate and philanthropist Sir William Burrell; Gallery of Modern Art in the heart of the city; Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum that was refurbished and re-opened in 2006. Kids love the dinosaurs.
- M & S’s Secret
Marks & Spencer, sadly no longer with stores in Canada, sells high-quality knickers, cashmere sweaters and more for very good prices. Their food department is a perfect place to stock up on snacks, wine and picnic goodies.