In The Area: Glasgow SEC
As the largest city in Scotland, Glasgow is home to the busiest bridge in Europe, the third oldest metro system in the world and the famous River Clyde, once used as an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire.
But aside from its rich, Victorian history, Glasgow is also the host of the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), which holds the SEC Centre, the SSE Hydro and the famous SEC Armadillo. With 22,500sqm of dedicated exhibition space, the SEC is home to some of the UK’s largest and most successful exhibitions.
With the SEC overlooking the River Clyde, you’re already in the heart of some of Glasgow’s finest landmarks when you’re exhibiting or visiting an event at the SEC. But if you’re looking for a bigger bite of the famous culture, here’s a few more things you can squeeze into your schedule while you’re in Scotland’s second city…
GEORGE SQUARE
George Square is the principal civic square in Glasgow. Laid out in 1781, this iconic piece of the city is home to the headquarters of Glasgow City Council, as well as a collection of statues and monuments dedicated to some of Scotland’s greatest figures; including the poets Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott and former British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel.
GLASGOW CATHEDRAL
Dating back over 800 years, Glasgow Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in mainland Scotland and the oldest building in Glasgow. The iconic building is situated in the heart of the city and, with its post-war stained-glass windows, is a fantastic example of Scottish Gothic architecture.
RIVERSIDE MUSEUM
The Riverside Museum is a hyper-modern building structure with a variety of impressive features, ranging from state-of-the-art interactive displays to old cobbled Glasgow streets dating between 1895 and the 1980s. The museum is free to enter and is packed with a range of fascinating objects linked back to the city’s industrial roots, from skateboards and vintage cars to prams and powerful locomotives.
GALLERY OF MODERN ART
Situated in the heart of the city, the Gallery of Modern Art is home to four galleries, a shop, café and a library. The gallery offers a thought-provoking programme with displays of local and international artworks from the city’s collection, alongside temporary exhibitions and events with artists.
GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE
Just over the river from the SEC, the Glasgow Science Centre offers hundreds of interactive exhibits. With a science mall, a planetarium, Scotland’s biggest Imax, a science show theatre, a café, shop and Glasgow Tower – the only structure in the world that can rotate a full 360 degrees into the prevailing wind, there is plenty to keep you occupied.