Scottish experiences in Glasgow
Things to see and do
Trace your family history
Discover stories of long-gone ancestors at one of Europe's largest public libraries. The Mitchell Library has extensive resources in its Family History Centre. It also has one of the largest Robert Burns Collections in the world. Visit Glasgow Life for more info.
Try the bagpipes
Learn about the history of the Scottish bagpipes at the Museum of Piping and even try your hand at them. Visit The National Piping Centre to book a tour.
Scottish Football Museum
Find out about Scotland's history with the beautiful game at the Scottish Football Museum. Visit Scottish Football Museum for details on Europe's first football museum. There you can also book tours of Hampden Park, Scotland's National Stadium.
Explore Scottish scenery
Go to some of the city's parks and viewpoints to see just why Glasgow is known as the Dear Green Place. While you're here, be sure to visit the city's very own herd of Highland cows in the fields of Pollok Country Park. Visit our parks and gardens page for inspiration.
Unwind with a Scottish massage
Visit the biggest Lush in Scotland, and experience the Highlands Spa Treatment. Relax with a hot stone massage, using stones carved with ancient Scottish symbols, while calming folk music plays. Book your massage at Lush.
Play a round of golf
People travel from across the world to play golf in the country that invented the sport. Visit our golfing page for details on courses in the city and beyond.
Visit a historical site
Discover Glasgow’s varied history. Take in sites like Glasgow Cathedral, the University of Glasgow and the Tolbooth Steeple. Or why not dine in the quirky Battlefield Rest, which sits on the site where Mary Queen of Scots’ infamous Battle of Langside took place in 1568? Visit our historic Glasgow guide for more information.
Stay in a castle
Book your stay at one of the city's most lavish hotels for a Scottish fairytale feeling. Check out Sherbrooke Castle Hotel in the southside. Or you could try Crossbasket Castle Hotel just outside of the city.
Scottish food and drink
Seasonal Scottish food
Scotland is known for its amazing food and drink, such as quality beef, seafood, haggis, whisky, and more.
Enjoy fine dining at The Buttery, or adventurous flavours combined with local produce at Stravaigin. Find out more by visiting our Scottish restaurants page.
Book the 'Taste of Scotland' experience at Mharsanta for a culinary tour of Scotland. Enjoy whisky, scallops, haggis, cheese, and more while storytelling and visuals bring Scotland's heritage to life. Visit Mharsanta to enquire.
Or, if you like to try lots of different places and flavours, why not try one of the award-winning Glasgow Food and Drink Tours? Visit Glasgow Food and Drink Tour to book your place.
Raise a dram
Discover the true spirit of Scotland in Glasgow. From traditional pubs to stylish whisky bars, the city is the perfect place to enjoy a dram of the famous “water of life.”
Take a whisky walking tour through the city’s vibrant streets. You can visit the city centre and nearby distilleries to see how it’s made, and soak up the warm Glaswegian welcome that makes every sip special. Visit our whisky in the city page for more information.
Gin school
Crossbill Gin created the first-ever gin made with 100% Scottish botanicals. Their distillery in Barras is open to the public, and they also run distilling, blending and tasting classes. Visit Crossbill Gin for more information.
Scottish culture and heritage
Traditional music
Glasgow was named the first UNESCO City of Music and is home to a legendary music scene.
Discover lively trad music in bars and pubs across the city, such as The Ben Nevis Bar and The Islay Inn, which run weekly sessions. Visit our bars in Glasgow with free live music page for more information.
Or check out Celtic Connections, Glasgow’s annual folk, roots and world music festival, which takes place every winter. Visit Celtic Connections for details about the 2026 line-up.
Glasgow also becomes the centre of the piping world each August as the World Pipe Band Championships and Piping Live! take place. Around 220 bands from across the world take part in the championships, while Piping Live! is a week-long festival. Visit World Pipe Band Championships and Piping Live! for more details.
Dance the night away at a Scottish ceilidh
Experience this traditional form of Scottish dancing and music, which Scots enjoy at celebrations. Head to Sloans in the city centre, who run a weekly Friday night ceilidh in their grand ballroom. Visit Sloans for more details.
Scottish performance
An amazing 5 of the 6 National Performing Companies in Scotland are based in Glasgow. Take in an opera, ballet, orchestra, or theatre show and see some of the country's finest talent perform. Or pay a visit to a comedy club where you'll enjoy the down-to-earth Scottish humour. Glasgow has produced comedy legends such as Sir Billy Connolly. Visit our what's on pages for ideas.
Article last updated: November 2025
