See Scotland - Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley

GREATER GLASGOW AND THE CLYDE VALLEY

From history and commerce Glasgow has inherited a wealth of architecture and art culminating in the world famous Burrell Collection. This treasure trove of artistic riches houses over 8,000 priceless objects in the splendour of an award winning building at the centre of Pollok Country Park. Here you can marvel at masterpieces by Bellini, Rembrandt and Degas.

Glasgow enjoys being called the "dear green place" as a result of there being no fewer than 70 public parks and gardens. Explore what's on offer by foot or hop on a city bus tour to access the parks.

Glasgow is the largest retail center in the U.K. outside London and designer boutiques, high street favorites and stylish shopping centres vie for position along the city's main shopping thoroughfares of Argyle Street, Buchanan Street and Sauchiehall Street which are all within a few minutes walk of each other.

The Merchant City to the east and the fashionable West End, around the university, offer the adventurous shopper an intriguing trail of book, clothes and antique stores. Or join the boisterous bargain hunters of the 'Barras' - Glasgow's traditional weekend street market with its colourful mix of stalls and stallholders.

In the Clyde Valley, known locally as the Garden Valley, the meandering and well sign posted Clyde Valley Tourist Route is speckled with historic houses and castles, museums and galleries, along with many pretty towns and villages.

Not to be missed is the New Lanark World Heritage Village. This award winning 200-year-old conservation village presents fascinating displays depicting life in this old cotton mill village environment.

At the David Livingstone Centre in Blantyre visitors can get a sense of the famous explorer and missionary's historic achievements in Africa.

To visit Greater Glasgow and the Clyde Valley is to be made welcome by a region of contrasts, visually stunning and rich in history and excelling in the art of making every visitor feel at home.