Glasgow may be Scotland’s second-largest city, but it is so much more than that. Here are 15 things which Glasgow is famous for that you probably didn’t know about.
1. World’s oldest swimming club
The Arlington Baths is the oldest swimming club globally and is classed as an A listed building. The club first opened in August 1871 and remains on Charing Cross in the city.
2. Millions of residents
Glasgow was one of the first cities in Europe to have a population of over 1 million, and today the city has almost two million residents.
3. The first international football match
In 1872 the national football teams of England and Scotland played against each other in a match, which is regarded by FIFA as the first international football match ever to take place in the world.
4. Europes busiest bridge
Kingston Bridge in Glasgow is the busiest bridge in all of Europe, seeing more than 150,000 vehicles every day. However, this bridge is not for the faint of heart to drive on as it has ten lanes that can become full during peak times.
5. European Record for football match attendance
During another Scotland vs England football match in Glasgow during 1937, almost 150,000 fans attended to show support for their teams. This remains the most attended international football match in Europe.
6. Invention of the television
The invention of the television is one we can all be grateful for. It was created in 1927 by Philo Taylor Farnsworth, an inventor at The University of Glasgow, formerly known as the Royal Technical College.
7. Glasgow Women’s Library
Scotland’s only dedicated women’s library is based in Glasgow and is the only accredited museum in the UK that dedicates itself t0 the lives, history and achievements of women.
8. Gaelic speakers
Glasgow has the most Gaelic speakers living there, aside from the Highlands. This Celtic language plays a huge role in Scotland’s history, and there are still multiple Gaelic nurseries and primary schools in Glasgow.
9. Victoria Park
Glasgow’s city centre is home to Victoria Park, where there are 11 extinct fossilised trees which are estimated to be over 300 million years old, making them older than dinosaurs.
10. Glasgow Cathedral
The Glasgow Cathedral stands tall at 69 metres in the heart of the city. It is the only medieval cathedral on Scotland’s mainland to survive the Protestant reformation that took place during the 1500s.
11. Glasgow Tower
The tallest tower in Scotland is Glasgow Tower, which stands at 127 metres. The tower also holds the Guinness World Record for being the tallest tower in the world, where the whole structure can rotate 360 degrees.
12. Friendliest City
Glasgow has been named the world’s friendliest city, despite being challenged by the other major cities, including Budapest, Paris, and Tokyo.
13. Third oldest subway station
Glasgow’s Subway first opened in 1896 and is the world’s third oldest underground system, after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro. The system is still up and running today and has regular services, including one every four minutes in peak times.
14. Clyde Shipbuilding
The River Clyde in Glasgow has allowed the city to be the centre of shipbuilding since the 15th century. Since then, thousands of ships have been built in Glasgow, including the Titanic.
15. Second city of the British Empire
The city was viewed by the world as Britain’s second city, after London, as Glasgow was formerly one of the world’s most powerful industrial cities. Industries included glass, textiles, and cotton, which alone created a third of the cities jobs during the 18th century.
