Because many of my friends have asked I have compiled some pictures and information on Glasgow.
Living in Glasgow is no different from living in any american city, the only diffence is there are many old buildings. Here are some the places in Glasgow in which I love to visit and some facts about them.

Situated astride the River Clyde in the west Central Lowlands, Glasgow is Scotland's largest city and the unitary authority with the largest population. Its cathedral, dedicated to St Mungo, was built in the 12th century, but the city owes much of its growth first to the 17th-18th century tobacco trade and later to shipbuilding during the colonial era. Much of Glasgow's heavy industry has been replaced by modern hi-tech and commercial business and the city now flourishes as a cultural centre with an annual festival of the arts.

The Oldest House in Glasgow

The Provand's Lordship is in the heart of the city centre and aside from Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest house in Glasgow. Standing opposite Glasgow Cathedral and St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art it is a must see visitor attraction in the city. You can step back in time and experience Glasgow's past in the only house to survive the medieval times in the city.

Built in 1471, the house was part of St Nicholas's Hospital and was built by a former Bishop of Glasgow, Andrew Muirhead. All the other surrounding buildings were demolished by the beginning of the twentieth century and had it not been for the Lordship's Society this building would surely have suffered the same fate.

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art is located beside Glasgow Cathedral (built on the site of St Mungo's 6th century church beside the Molendinar Burn and the future City of Glasgow) and across the road from Glasgow's oldest dwelling house, the Provand's Lordship. The purpose-built stone structure was designed to blend in with these other ancient buildings and opened its doors for the first time in 1993. It is a popular attraction in the city with around 200,000 visitors a year.

It is claimed that this is the only public museum in the world which is devoted solely to the subject of religion. Despite being named after St Mungo, Glasgow's patron saint, it tries to cover all religions, not just Catholicism or Christianity - the first object that visitors see is an authentic dry stone Japanese Zen Garden, the only one of its kind in the UK.

The Museum's most famous exhibit is the Dali painting of "Christ of St John of the Cross". There was a public outcry in 1952, when Dr Tom Honeyman, the then director of Glasgow's museums and art galleries, spent the city's entire annual purchasing budget (all £18,200 pounds) to obtain the painting. It is now the city's most famous work of art and worth millions.

Glasgow Cathedral

One of the few Scottish medieval churches to remain, it is a truly magnificent building filled with history and wonder. St Ninian consecrated the site for Christian burial in 397 AD, the Cathedral's origins date back to 590 AD when St Mungo arrived and became bishop of Strathclyde.

During St Mungo's time St Columba, who went on to found a settlement on the Island of Iona, also visited the church. After his death in 603, St Mungo was buried nearby to his church and his tomb lies within the centre of the lower church to this day and there is a service held every year to commemorate his life.

Today visitors to Glasgow Cathedral are in for an awe inspiring sight, with magnificent stained glass windows, stunning architecture and steeped in such history. Right down to the height of the building which inside is some 105ft at the nave roof.

The 13th century tower is the last remaining intact tower on any medieval church in Scotland.

Glasgow Necropolis

The Necropolis stands on a hill to the east of Glasgow Cathedral, just a short walk across the Bridge of Sighs. The monument to John Knox, which was erected in 1825, dominates the hill. The cemetery itself, like several in Edinburgh, was modelled on Père-Lachaise in Paris. According to David Williams' 'The Glasgow Guide', "a total of 50,000 burials have taken place here, with 3500 tombs being built".

George Square

George Square is regarded as the very centre of the city as this is the location of the City Chambers, the headquarters of the city council, Glasgow's main public building. The tall column in the centre of the square supports a statue of Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland's greatest authors. Around the square are other statues of people, including Robert Burns, who have connections with the city. During the Christmas period the square is ablaze with its decorations while, during the hottest part of the summer, office workers flock to the benches in a desperate bid to soak up some sunlight.

The square was laid out in 1781, even though a few years later it was still being described as a hollow, filled with green-water, and a favourite resort for drowning puppies, while the banks of this suburban pool were the slaughtering place of horses. Large two and three storey houses were built around it between 1787 and the 1820s, but only the present-day hotel on the square's northern side retains these early buildings. The square itself was given over to private gardens which only the privileged householders could use; this so annoyed other Glaswegians that its railings were torn down on several occasions. Later the council discovered (as an 1872 guide relates) that the whole enclosure belonged to the public who had been so long excluded from it.

The square was to achieve its pre-eminence when the city moved its centre westwards and the merchants and manufacturers who controlled the council wanted a lavishly decorated building and a grand civic space which reflected their position as leaders of the City.

Gallery of Modern Art & Duke Of Wellington Statue

Built in 1778 as the townhouse of William Cunninghame of Lainshaw, a wealthy Glasgow tobacco lord, this building has undergone a series of different uses. It was bought in 1817 by the Royal Bank of Scotland who later moved onto Buchanan Street and then became the Royal Exchange. Reconstruction for this use was undertaken by David Hamilton between 1827 and 1832 and resulted in many additions to the building, namely the Corinthian pillars to the Queen Street facade, the cupola above and the large hall to the rear of the old house.

1954, Glasgow District Libraries moved the Stirling's Library into the building and since the return of the library to Miller Street it has been used to house the Gallery of Contemporary Art.

Glasgow's Duke of Wellington statue erected in 1844 also stands proudly in front of the Gallery of Modern Art and some years ago, a cone appeared overnight, presumably the result of a youthful prank. Although it was removed, it kept magically re-appearing and eventually the authorities gave up. The Duke of Wellington was the conqueror of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, After World War II, the building served as a library before being renovated as an art gallery in the 1990's.

It has become such a landmark that the statue and its cone have featured in tourist guidebooks. A few years ago, when Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board wanted photographs to launch their new Web site, they removed the cone. Immediately, the Lord Provost, Alex Mosson, expressed disappointment, saying that it highlighted the Glaswegian sense of humour. His predecessor, ex-Provost Pat Lally joined in and also agreed it should stay. The end result is that Wellington (and sometimes his horse too) can be seen sporting traffic cones! Not that anyone is suggesting that the Provost and ex-Provost were personally involved....

Glasgow Cross

Glasgow Cross is one of the city's most historic sites, though most of its present buildings are relatively modern. Five important streets meet here: High Street, Gallowgate, London Road, Saltmarket and Trongate, making this a busy and very important junction. High Street was the city's main street from medieval times. It ran from the Cathedral towards the river; Gallowgate was the route to Edinburgh, passing Gallows Muir (the hanging place); London Road led southwards to England; the Saltmarket was where salt sellers were established; Trongate followed the north bank of the River Clyde towards the important town of Dumbarton.

The seven-storey Tolbooth Steeple is the Cross's most important feature and it is topped by a clock and a stone crown. This was once part of a much larger building, the Tolbooth, which provided accommodation for the Town Clerk's office, the council hall and the city prison. The debtors' prison had a steady stream of inmates who elected their own provost and generally ran the place like an exclusive club. They produced their own regulations, including one from 1789 which stated: It is firmly and irrevocably agreed upon that the members of these rooms shall not permit the jailor or turnkeys to force any person or persons into their apartments, who are thought unworthy of being admitted. There was even a rule about celebrating freedom: Every member, when liberated, shall treat his fellow-prisoners with one shilling's worth of what liquor they think proper.

The Tolbooth provided the backdrop to many of the city's dramas and it was here that witches, thieves and murderers were summarily dealt with, by hanging if necessary. It also had a special platform from which proclamations were read, important in the days before general literacy. The paved area in front of the Tolbooth was the in place to be seen and here the rich paraded in their finery, particularly the Tobacco Lords, attired in red cloaks and sporting gold-topped canes. The cross developed as a communications hub, with stagecoaches from Edinburgh and London bringing visitors and news, and a reading room in the Tolbooth providing newspapers. However, as the city expanded and moved westwards, the Tolbooth was abandoned and eventually demolished, leaving the steeple as an isolated reminder of bygone days. This tragic loss of an important building was the result of the work of the City Improvement Trust which had the unenviable task of ridding the city of its slums.

The Mercat Cross stands at the south-eastern corner of Glasgow Cross. Market crosses like this are found all over Scotland to mark the places where markets were legally held and this example represents one removed from Glasgow Cross in 1659. A town's cross was often its symbolic centre as markets and other communal events took place beside it and the absence of such an important monument must have caused a bit of a dent in civic pride. The new cross was paid for by Dr William Black and his wife and its inauguration on 24 April 1930 was a day of great pomp and ceremony. The next day's Glasgow Herald reported that:

Probably not since 1649 when Charles II was proclaimed King to the accompaniment of a carillon from the city bells, has the Mercat Cross been the centre of such striking ceremonial… The gold, scarlet, and blue robes of the Lyon King of Arms and his heralds and pursuivants struck a note of brilliance, and stood out in bold relief against the black and ermine gowns of the Lord Provost and Magistrates… That pomp and circumstance, those gorgeous robes, the royal greeting, the arresting sound of the trumpets, the whole magnificent pageant, belonged not to that day alone, but to centuries of that past life which has made us a great nation.

The structure is in the form of an octagonal tower with the cross (which is topped by a heraldic unicorn holding a shield) rising high above it. On the tower's western side a plaque declares that this is The Mercat Cross of Glasgow, built in the year of grace 1929. Above that is the coat of arms of the city with its motto Let Glasgow flourish. On the tower's eastern side there is a badge (with a thistle and a St Andrew's Cross) and the Latin phrase Nemo me impune lacessit (No-one provokes me with impunity). This is the motto of Scotland and can be translated as "Wha daur meddle wi` me" in Scots. Above that is an unidentified coat of arms (with a lion, a knight's head and a shield on which is a St Andrew's Cross) and a Latin phrase.

Kelvingrove Museum

In the picture is a very pretty victorian building called Kelvingrove.

Glasgow has one of the richest civic art collections in Europe, and for over a hundred years, their principal showroom has been the beloved Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvingrove. Kelvingrove is now closed for refurbishment until 2006, so the best of the collection - including works by Botticelli, Whistler, Turner, Rembrandt, Reubens and Charles Rennie Mackintosh - is on show at the McLellan Galleries.

Glasgow Transport Museum

The Museum of Transport in the Kelvin Hall is one of the most popular museums of transport in the British Isles, attracting half a million visitors a year. Founded in 1964, it houses many exhibits of national and international importance.

The museum uses its collections of vehicles and models to tell the story of transport by land and sea, with a unique Glasgow flavour. Here you will find the oldest surviving pedal cycle and the finest collection in the world of Scottish-built cars, including such world famous makes as Argyll, Arrol Johnson and Albion.

The breadth of the collection is impressive, featuring all forms of transport from horse-drawn vehicles to fire engines, from motorcycles to caravans. Even toy cars and prams are included. In the Clyde Room are some 250 fascinating ship models, representing the gigantic contribution of the River Clyde and its shipbuilders and engineers to the world of maritime trade. From the Comet of 1812 to fabulous builders models of the Hood, Howe, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth 2, the Clyde Room reflects the proud boast 'Clyde built'.

The museum is expected to be moving around 2007 to a prime site in the prestigious Glasgow Harbour development with shops on one side of it and housing on the other.

Glasgow's Tallship HMS Glenlee

The Glenlee was built at the Bay Yard in Port Glasgow and was one of a group of 10 steel sailing vessels built to a standard design for the Glasgow shipping firm of Archibald Sterling and Co. Ltd. She is a three masted barque, with length 245 feet, beam 37.5 feet and depth 22.5 feet.

The Glenlee first took to the water as a bulk cargo carrier in 1896. She circumnavigated the globe four times and survived (though not without incident) passing through the fearsome storms of Cape Horn 15 times before being bought by the Spanish navy in 1922 and being turned into a sail training vessel. The ship was modified and served in that role until 1969. She then operated as a training school until 1981 when she was laid up in Seville Harbour and largely forgotten. A British naval architect saw her in 1990 and two years later, the Clyde Maritime Trust succeeded in buying the re-named Galatea at auction and saved her from the scrapyard.

The Glenlee is one of only 5 Clydebuilt sailing ships that remain afloat in the world and was restored over a six year period by the Clyde Maritime Trust’s paid and voluntary crew. The other four Clydebuilt sailing ships afloat in the world are also visitor attractions: Balclutha in San Franciso, Moshulu in Philadelphia, Falls of the Clyde in Hawaii and the Pommern in Finland.

An announcement in November 1999 saw the Glenlee recognised as part of the Core Collection of historic vessels in the UK. Chosen from a list of over 1,500, the Glenlee is one of only 43 vessels recognised by the National Historic Ships Committee as being of pre-eminent national significance in terms of maritime heritage, historic associations or technological innovation. The restoration of the Glenlee was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and many private benefactors.

Glasgow Green

Glasgow's oldest park is close to the city's historic centre and stretches from the Saltmarket at the High Court, across to the Calton and Bridgeton districts and is bordered by the River Clyde to the south. Its history can be traced back to 1450 when James II granted the Green to Bishop William Turnbull for use as common grazing ground and this was the Green's main use until the nineteenth century. Due to its proximity to the River Clyde, women of the East End of the city used the area, including the local wash-house and drying green, for washing and bleaching linen. The present layout was created between 1817 and 1826 when much of the land which was subject to frequent flooding was levelled and drained and the Camlachie and Molendinar burns channelled underground. Most of the work was carried out by unemployed weavers, made redundant by the introduction of power looms. The Molendinar Burn is traditionally believed to be where St. Mungo baptised Christian converts in the sixth century. Despite a bye-law introduced in 1819 prohibiting sporting and leisure pursuits, golf, tennis, swimming and of course, football were all popular pastimes. Probably the most important leisure activity associated with the Green is the Glasgow Fair, which was established in the 12th century and from the early 1800s held on the Green near the present High Court building. The fair originally included sales of horses, cattle and the hiring of servants. In the 19th century it began to attract amusements such as theatres, circuses and drinking booths. The area has long been associated with the people's struggle for reforms and justice. As at Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park, the Green became the place to listen to religious and political speakers debating such causes as electoral reform, trade union rightsand women's suffrage. Public executions took place on the Green up until 1865.

Glasgow Green People's Palace and Winter Gardens

Opened in 1898 by the Earl of Rosebery, the People's Palace tells the rich story of Glasgow's heritage, its people, and its impact on the world from 1175 to the present day. The museum houses important collections relating to the tobacco and other industries as well as the fantastic historical and political recollections of the temperance, woman's suffragette and socialist movements.Originally arranged with reading rooms on the ground floor, a museum on the first floor and an art gallery on the second floor, since the 1940s the building has been used as a museum dedicated to the history of Glasgow.

Glasgow's popular past is brought to life with gritty realism in this fine collection. The People's Palace is also home to the fabulous Winter Gardens. Here, visitors can enjoy refreshments amidst a collection of wonderfully exotic and rare plants and trees from every corner of the world. The Winter Gardens is a unique location that is ideally suited to weddings, formal dinners, product launches or drinks receptions.

Glasgow Green McLellan Arch

McLennan Arch is located at the north-west entrance to Glasgow Green

When the Assembly Rooms, designed by James & Robert Adam, were demolished in 1890, the arch that formed the centrepiece of the building was reconstructed in the Barras in 1892 at the expense of James McLennan , then moved again in 1922 to the west edge of the Green. It is now know as the McLennan Arch.

Glasgow Green Doulton Fountain

The Doulton Fountain, gifted to Glasgow as part of the 1888 International Exhibition , was moved to the Green in 1890. Designed by architect Arthur E. Pearce , the 48ft tall fountain was built by the Royal Doulton company to commemorate Queen Victoria's reign. It featured a 70ft wide basin, with a slightly larger than life-size statue of Queen Victoria, surrounded by four life-size statues of water-carriers representing Australasia, Canada, India and South Africa. A lightning strike in 1891 destroyed the statue of Victoria, and rather than let the city replace the statue with an urn, Doulton paid for a second hand-made statue to be produced. In the 1960s the fountain was allowed to fall into a state of disrepair with the water supply being turned off, however in 2002 a £2 million restoration program was started that restored the fountain to its original condition. As of 2004, the fountain has been placed in a new location, infront of the People's Palace.

Glasgow Green James Martin Fountain

The James Martin Fountain stands close to the People`s Palace in Glasgow Green. This elaborate cast-iron Moorish canopy was erected in 1893 to honour James Martin (1815-92), a local bailie (Judge). He is remembered for his opposition to the council`s speculative development on Woodlands Hill. This expensive building venture was undertaken to provide homes for the rich at a time when the East End`s housing was in an appalling state. The fountain is decorated with the city`s coat of arms, flowers, birds, lions and various strange-looking beasts, and was made in the Possilpark area of Glasgow in the world-famous Saracen iron foundry of Walter Macfarlane. The fountain originally stood outside Langside Halls.

Glasgow Green Templeton's Carpet Factory

When the Templeton Carpet Company decided to build a factory towards the end of the 19th century, overlooking Glasgow Green, the oldest park in Glasgow, it should have been a straightforward job. But the city council kept rejecting their proposals because they were not good enough. So William Leiper was given the brief to design a building with impeccable credentials. He came up with the idea of making it look like the Doge's Palace in Venice - it is not clear whether he was being serious but the council approved. So in 1892 his extravagant edifice of polychromatic brick - orange, yellow, blue, with turrets and arches and circular windows became a reality. Over the years, additions have been made - some, such the one made in the 1930s, as colourful as the original. It is no longer a carpet factory but has become a business centre instead.

Glasgow Green Nelson's Monument

The 44m (144 feet) tall Nelson Monument was the first monument erected in Britain to commemorate the naval victories of Viscount Horatio Nelson (1758-1805). Around the base are the names of his famous victories: Aboukir (1798), Copenhagen (1801) and Trafalgar (1805), where he was killed. Only four years after it was built, the monument was struck by lightning, knocking 6m (20 feet) off the top; the damage is still visible. It was later fitted with a lightning conductor.

Glasgow Green Collins Fountain

Erected by temperance reformers in recognition of valuable services rendered to the temperance cause by Sir William Collins, Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow 1877-1880. 29th October 1881.

Living In Glasgow

Most residents in the city of Glasgow live in Flats (apartments). They either own them out right or are rented from private holders or the council. Most places are what are called tenement flats. Glasgow is also known for having high flats as we call them here in Townhead. The high flats here in Townhead are 25 floors that isn't including the ground floor. The building I live in is a low tenement.