Scotland in September

Definitely, Kelvingrove is a must-see. I don't think it really matters whether it's your first or last trip. It's not a really big museum, so it wouldn't take you more than a 2-3 hours to go through it. I would also suggest visiting St Giles Cathedral and the Necropolis, which is the very unique cemetery nearby. It's a really cool place, and you can see some well-known people buried there. It's very Victorian and somewhat macabre. I really enjoyed it.

I also enjoyed the Hunterian Art Gallery. The art here was really nice, especially their Whistler collection. This is a great place to just wander around enjoying their small but nice collection. It’s pretty easy to get to by public transportation as it is right on the campus and a quick walk from the bus stop.

If you have some time while you're in Glasgow, I would take a day to visit Stirling Castle and the town of Stirling. You can reach it by train from Glasgow in about 30 minutes. This was one of my favorite places in the area and I am so glad I went. It was easy to get to, involving a quick walk to the Queen Street station and a fast 30 minute train ride to Stirling. You must buy a ticket before you can get on the train, though, as they have turnstiles you have to go through and you use your ticket to open them. And hang onto the ticket, as you will need it again when you exit.

You can opt to walk up to Stirling Castle once the train arrives in Stirling; but keep in mind it is very steep and you can take the bus or a cab. But there are some beautiful views walking up. Once you get to the castle, make sure that you take one of the free guided tours. There’s one every hour starting at 10 am and they are wonderful. Our guide was named Brian and he was so knowledgeable and very funny. It was a great way to understand the castle.

After leaving the castle, walk back down into the town, and stop at the Holy Rude church, which was where many Scottish royals were married and buried. You could also visit Darnley Coffee House, which is located in the house that Lord Darnley, who was married to Mary Queen of Scots, lived in. I highly recommend this place. When I was there, the room was filled with locals, and we all started talking. They were asking me lots of questions about the states and about my travels, and why I was traveling alone and so on. But they said they all come here a lot because they like it. The food was very good, and the building itself is pretty cool.

Mardee has given you some good suggestions. Maybe wait until you arrive and see what the weather is like. Kelvingrove is perfect on a a rainy day.

One of my big regrets is not getting to the Glasgow botanical garden. They have a very impressive Victorian greenhouse that I really wanted to visit. Plus, cool plants, of course. So if that sounds interesting to you, it might make for a nice contrast to lots of history (while still essentially being historic)

Lots of good suggestions above.
To add to those, I also think you should try to visit one Mackintosh house to see the beauty of the design which still looks ahead of its time, even over 100 yrs later.Glasgow is famous for Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work.House for an Art Lover in Bellahouston Park in the city’s southside, was built to his design.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186534-d189007-Reviews-House_for_an_Art_Lover-Glasgow_Scotland.html

Nice cafe there too.

Or have a cuppa (not necessarily food) in the restored Mackintosh Tearoom in Sauchiehall Street.If you can see the stunning room, the Salon de Luxe, even better.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186534-d14766179-Reviews-The_Mackintosh_Tearooms-Glasgow_Scotland.html

Near the Cathedral area and Necropolis, good coffee or tea can be had in not too far away Cafe Gandolfi which has a beautiful wood and stained glass interior.A bit of a Glasgow institution.

The interior of the City Chamber is worth a look - you can do a short tour.Very grand.

The excellent Burrell Collection in lovely Pollok Country Park is easily reached by public transport or taxi.Glasgow is famous for its large number of parks (the Dear Green Place , as its known) and this one is the jewel in the crown.

If in the West End at Kelvingrove (the University is also worth a stroll especially the Cloisters) then Kember and Jones cafe/bistro on Byres Road is a good if busy choice for lunch and/ or excellent cakes.

Great to hear you’re doing the Culzean tour, one of my favourite castles.You could spend all day here, fantastic grounds for a walk too surrounded by the sea.The walled garden is delightful.

Thank you for all the recommendations. I look forward to tea with scones and clotted cream - a highlight of my trip outside London almost 30 years ago. Not sure we will have time for Stirling Castle, so hoping Culzean fills our bucket. We have been to Edinburgh a few years ago and saw that castle, and took a tour in the highlands that included several others. Hoping not having a car in Glasgow won't be a problem for us. It has been suggested that we are better doing fewer day tours and taking time on our own. I am sure we will find wonderful restaurants near our hotels, or sites we are visiting. Also hope I have chosen the hotels wisely.

Not sure if your Culzean Tour will take you to the Robert Burns Birthplace Centre in pretty Alloway but if you get a chance to visit the cafe there, they do first class scones - particularly their Clootie Dumpling scones which are gorgeous:)

@ScotlandMac, the tour does indeed include the Burns birthplace and museum (I took it in 2024).

So many of the things we enjoyed doing in Glasgow have already been mentioned, but if you have time, try to see some of the incredible street murals that are there. They are really amazing. Here is a link with a trail that highlights them.

https://www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/

I also would recommend seeing Glasgow’s huge street murals especially the new one of St. Mungo’s mother. They are incredible and people don’t always mention them here. And the botanical garden is beautiful, we were there when the rhododendrons were blooming. Glasgow is really an amazing city.