Visiting a student in Glasgow

One idea would be-

Accommodation Services can offer short-term accommodation in University guest flats within certain halls of residence. This accommodation is ideally suited to visitors and tourists and new members of staff seeking a temporary base whilst investigating the local property market. For further information on availability and rates, please contact us:
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(I assume they do this in term time)

The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is actually part of the University. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum (I don't believe in 'must see' places, but this is one I would always highly recommend to a Glasgow visitor) are just across the river Kelvin which borders the campus, the excellent Riverside [Transport] Museum is a short walk area as are the Glasgow Botanic Gardens in the other direction.

The [Charles Rennie] Mackintosh House is also part of the university, as is the Zoology Museum.

There is a University guided tour- https://www.glasgowunisrc.org/services/historical-tours/
There is also a self guided tour- https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/visit/campustours/prospectivestudents/studentsselfguided/

We haven't even got into the City Centre yet!!

The red route of the Glasgow HoHo bus calls at the Museum- which is a great way to begin to explore the City. The red route is north of the River Clyde, the yellow route south of the Clyde. That all means it would be very easy for you to stay in the City Centre, use the HoHo while you and more importantly your son get to grips with the City bus system, then use the city buses to the University. The 4/4a and the 15 run by First Glasgow are the main buses to Campus. Hillhead subway station (on the circular Glasgow Subway, aka the Clockwork Orange) is also key. The Subway has just got a brand new fleet of trains.

Hi, Emily,

To add to what isn31c has already mentioned, I would add visits to the People's Palace, Glasgow Cathedral, and the Necropolis. All of them are free, and the People's Palace will pretty much give you the history of Glasgow from the viewpoint of its residents.

As you'll be staying near the Uni, I would highly recommend a visit to the University Cafe on Byres Road. It's a Glasgow institution, and an experience which should not be missed. Even if you don't sit down for a meal, at least get an ice cream. The cafe has been in the same family for over 100 years. Try their pie, beans, and chips, or pie, peas, and chips.

You didn't say exactly how long you'll be in Scotland, but Edinburgh is just a short train ride away, if your son is not too busy with his studies.

Enjoy Glasgow!

Mike (Auchterless)

On another thread @Gerry M has mentioned that the people's palace is closed for refurbishment until 2027- https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/venues/peoples-palace

Something else which has just cropped up in my You Tube Feed- every Wednesday at 1.10pm in term time there is an Organ Recital in the University Chapel.
The Chapel is a memorial to the 755 men connected with the University who died in WW1 and the 405 who died in WW2.

The Organ was part of the WW1 Memorial Scheme, a Father Willis organ, in memory of two McClay brothers (Ebeneezer and William)- two of the 755 men.

The Burrell Collection in Pollok Country Park was closed for renovation--and I think also expansion--at the time of my pre-COVID trip to Scotland. It has since reopened and is at the top of my list for a return visit. The Burrell Collection holds art and decorative art, including some ancient artifacts.

Burrell Collection highlights

Less than two miles away, still SW of the city center, is the House for an Art Lover, built in 1988 to a design created for a competition in 1901 by Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow's favorite-son architect. The House is rented out for events, so public-access hours vary. They can be found on the website.

House for an Art Lover

Also, brand new, there is another footbridge across the River Clyde- the Govan-Partick bridge which opened on 6 September 2024.

It is a swing bridge as vessels still need to pass on their way into the City.

I will hopefully be going to see it and walk across it in a few weeks time.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions.

My daughter is at UG and when I go visit her I prefer to rent an airbnb near Hillhead or off Byers Rd. I will stay at the Grosvenor on Byers road if it’s a quick visit. It’s a decent hotel but great location. Metro is right in Byers, and parks are walking distance