Restaurant Glasgow

Opening Hours:

Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat 10:30am – 5pm
Tues 11am – 5pm
Sun 12pm – 5pm

Admission Prices

Adult: £3, Youth £1

The Lighthouse is Scotland’s first museum dedicated to architecture and design, and with it covering six floors they have certainly packed it all in.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh, is one of the most distinguished Scottish architects of our time and features heavily throughout the museum including a Charles Rennie Mackintosh interpretation centre, this is apt considering the museum itself is situated within a converted Mackintosh building that was previously the 1892 Herald newspaper office and one of Mackintoshes first ever projects, don’t miss the magnificent tower on the sixth floor which gives spectators breathtaking views of the city.

The museum is an important forum for emerging artists, with many temporary exhibitions showcasing new or unknown talent, and has a dedicated education floor that includes a workshop and computer laboratory.

The museum itself is an eclectic mix of old and new; celebrating Scottish design and providing clear evidence as to why Glasgow is a city of culture. This is definitely a must for any design or architectural enthusiasts; and with a brilliant little café bar situated on level five this museum will provide an excellent way to spend a lazy Sunday away from the bustling shops.

Be sure to check out the shop before leaving… stocking goodies by many designers, including those from within the museum and exhibitions, the museum shop is your number one stop for a unique and design led memory of the Lighthouse.

Glasshouses: 10.00am – 4.45pm (4.15pm in winter) Visitor Centre: 11.00am – 4.00pm Toilets: 10.00am – 5.00pm

The Botanical Gardens consists of a well maintained park hosting some beautiful trees including a 200 year old weeping ash, immaculate gardens including; a world rose garden, a herb garden and a chronological garden, and a children’s play park. Within the gardens are the arboretum and the Kibble Palace, the ‘A’ list building constructed from glass and iron into an exquisite curvilinear design. The Kibble Palace was originally a concert hall but now houses an impressive range of tree ferns and fish pond. The glasshouse arboretum hosts a large collection of tropical orchids and an extensive tropical plant collection.

Visiting the Botanical Gardens on a sunny day is definitely a wise choice; it was bustling with activity, and given its location nestled amongst the West End it is shielded from the wind; making it a true oasis in the middle of the city. The gardens were immaculately kept with several paths winding round the gardens allowing walkers to absorb the wide variety of mature trees and foliage the gardens have to offer.

Kibble Palace is quite small and although stocking a wide variety of tree ferns, was most impressive for its architectural qualities and beauty. The main glasshouse area is like a jungle; it is humid, leafy, and full of rustling exotic noises. The flowers are amazing, I found myself stopping every five steps to take pictures of unusual and evocative blooms and the array of flowers on display within such a small space is amazing. The piece de résistance of the entire gardens has to be the tropical orchids; in every colour you can imagine and some so delicate that they have to be kept behind glass, if you visit the gardens ensure that you have a visit to view these delicate beauties.

Having just moved to Glasgow about a month ago, I am going through a touristy phase and thought that in my adventures across the city I would let you all know where is worth a visit and where isn’t.

First on my list of ‘things to see’ was Kelvingrove Museum; it is the most visited tourist attraction in Scotland, something I was initially surprised about but given that it is free it kinda makes sense!

The galleries within the museum are on the ground floor; Creatures of the Past, Ancient Egypt, Glasgow Stories, Scotland’s Wildlife, Scottish Art, Expression, Looking at Art, Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style and Looking at Design, and on the 1^st floor; Conflict & Consequence, Cultural Survival, Dutch Art, Italian Art, French Art, La Faruk Madonna, Every Picture Tells a Story, Scottish Identity in Art, Glasgow and the World, Scotland’s First People, Sculpture Highlights and Picture Promenade.

My favourite bit of the museum was the ground floor, which was also very popular with families; the centre gallery was very impressive. There is a wide range of stuffed animals on display, including a magnificent elephant that you are told is called Sir Roger; and overhead is an impressive Spitefire plane suspended from the ceiling. Almost every animal you can think of must be under Kelvingrove’s roof; kangaroos, hedgehogs, ostriches, dinosaur and even the mystical Haggis creature!! If you are a bird lover then make sure you look upwards (many of the birds are suspended from the ceiling) and visit the Scottish Wildlife section that has an impressive array of bird species.

On the ground floor other highlights include the Ancient Egypt gallery containing mummified artefact and fun games for children to play with. The Charles Rennie Mackintosh design area is also very interesting; a dedication to one of Scotland’s finest artists and designers.

The 1^st floor was substantially quieter than the bottom; although the music coming from the brass brand playing in the courtyard area and the famous organ are made it a little less ‘museumy’. There is a comprehensive selection of art on display covering various eras and genres including the breathtaking Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvidore Dali. Keep an eye out for pieces by Rembrant, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas and Botticelli. If you’re looking for a bit of Glasgow history the History Discovery Centre has various paintings and pictures that capture the transformation our city has undergone.

Overall the Kelvingrove Museum deserves its title as the number one tourist attraction in Scotland as it appeals to all ages and its galleries are extensive covering a range of interests, mediums and genres. The entrance hall/courtyard has a large coffee shop and often has live music playing making it an ideal public space to stop during your walk around the beautiful surrounding Kelvingrove Park.

For further information visit the Kelvingrove Museum website.