A
city reborn is a good byline for what has become one of Europe's most
progressive cities. A glorious past has been reborn into a modern, vibrant
city with a cosmopolitan yet common-sense outlook. In contrast, its
hinterland of the West of Scotland and the Highland fringe is within
unexpectedly easy reach. A few minutes journey beyond the urban area
will take you into a landscape of farms and woodlands, peaceful villages,
golf courses and extensive country parks. Farther out, and especially
to the north and west, far grander scenery beckons. Moorlands give way
to mountains, forests spread over the hills, sea-lochs provide the region
with a vast extent of coastline and the River Clyde opens into a majestic
firth with glorious island views.
The city itself is now a major attraction. Its museums and galleries
show off the most spectacular municipally-owned art collection in Britain.
It has wide expanses of parkland, fine sports facilities, superb retail
stores and a whirlwind of activity in the performing arts. Glasgow rarely
stands on ceremony, but it has a long tradition of making its visitors
feel at home.
