As a travel writer or a person who travels a lot, you’ll know that although cities claim to have many ‘unique’ experiences, it all gets a bit samey after a while. Glasgow is one of the few cities in the world where you can enjoy experiences the like of which you won’t have seen before. Some experiences that are so uniquely Scottish, you won’t find them in any other part of the world. Here are our favourite Scottish experiences in and around Glasgow to make your time here unforgettable
Try some Haggis
One of the more obvious culinary experiences to try while you’re here is Haggis. Haggis is traditionally made from a sheep’s lungs, liver and heart minced wit spices, oats, salt, suet and onion and cooked inside the lining of the sheep’s stomach. Modern versions often leave out the stomach as this can be done artificially (they said with a sigh of relief!). This unique dish is not to everyone’s taste but when made well, Haggis is a delicious addition to your Scottish food repertoire. You can find it in most cafes and diners and an adapted version in many fine dining establishments.
Get fitted for a Kilt
Forget the cheap tartan rubbish you find in Glasgow’s souvenir shops, to get a real Kilt, it will cost you, but it will last forever. To be fitted for the kilt of your dreams, head to Hector Russell on Buchanan Street, just 10-minutes’ walk from our serviced apartments in Glasgow. Ideally, you want an eight-yard kilt made in full weight, 16/17oz worsted – but if you have no idea what that means, the talented tailors will talk you through all your options. You might also want to add on some nifty extras like a sporran (purse/bag) or a sgian dhu (a knife carried in the sock) to make you feel the real deal.
Try some Scottish Whisky
It would be a very dry trip to Glasgow without even a taste of the drink that put us on the map. The word whisky is a translation of the Gaelic ‘uisge’, meaning ‘water of life’. We take our whisky very seriously here and have multiple distilleries at work making this liquid gold. The Clydeside Distillery gives visitors a unique taste of some of Scotland’s finest single malt whiskies right at the dockside. If you don’t fancy the trip, pop into and of our traditional pubs and ask a local barperson for a recommendation for a snifter. If you’re lucky you’ll find a pub with a roaring fire and enjoy it how it was intended.
Spot Scotland’s Big Five
Believe it or not, you don’t need to go on safari to spot the big five, in Scotland we have our very own version. Instead of big game like lions, tigers and elephants, see can you spot a red deer (the UK’s largest land mammal), golden eagles, otters, red squirrels and common seals. Some can be found in the city or by the river but others you’ll need to travel to be lucky enough to get a glance. You’ll need to leave the city for a wildlife cruise but once you tick them all off you can return to your luxurious serviced apartment in Glasgow for some R&R.
Celebrate Hogmanay
In Scotland we don’t do New Years, we celebrate Hogmanay with a flurry of parties and fireworks. The celebration has its roots in the country’s mysterious Pagan roots but the word itself is believed to come from the French word ‘hoginane’ meaning ‘gala day’. No longer is it a midnight countdown, these days it’s more of a festival feel with events happening before and after the big day. It’s such a celebration that we often need to take 1st and sometimes 2nd Jan off to recover! If you’re planning to visit for this unique Glasgow experience, book your stay asap to avoid disappointment.
For comfortable, affordable and flexible accommodation in the city, book your stay in PREMIER SUITES today. Our serviced apartments in Glasgow are ideally located to explore the city’s unique attractions and experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Contact our friendly team today to book your stay or to find out about our exclusive special offers.
