One of Scotland’s most historic and significant theatres, King’s Theatre Glasgow opened in 1904 and has played host to top stars and shows ever since. Well known for its Christmas pantomimes, it also provides Glasgow’s flourishing amateur groups with a high-profile stage. The theatre continues to present first-class shows today from a wide range of genres.
Opened in 1867, Theatre Royal Glasgow went through two fires before the turn of the century. Standing tall through thick and thin, the theatre has since presented a wide variety of productions covering all genres, including resident Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. Featuring a Victorian auditorium, Theatre Royal presents first-class entertainment.
Citizens Theatre creates groundbreaking theatre productions and empowering participatory projects. They are delighted to welcome audiences, both new and old, into their beautifully redeveloped home. They make bold productions of new plays and reinvent classics that speak to contemporary Scotland. They are passionate about engaging people and communities across Glasgow and beyond. They have a rich history dating back to when the building first opened in 1878. But they’re always looking forward as one of Scotland’s flagship producing theatres.
The Pavilion Theatre opened in 1904 as a music hall and was designed in the French Renaissance style, much of which still stands today. Its opulent design lent the 1,800-seat theatre an aura of splendour, and those who attended performances would dress in their best to see some of the finest entertainment Scotland had to offer. Notably, the domed ceiling was surmounted by an electrically controlled sliding roof for ventilation – this feature is still fully functional to this day. In recent years, the Pavilion has firmly maintained its reputation as Glasgow’s number one variety theatre. With a distinctive reverence for tradition and an appetite for the highest quality entertainment, it remains the last stronghold of a long music hall tradition, owing everything to its dedicated staff and patrons.
A Play, A Pie and A Pint was launched in 2004 by theatre maverick and maker David MacLennan (1948-2014), and its core principles have remained the same: a new play at lunchtime every week lasting no more than an hour, accompanied by a pie and a pint. Based at Òran Mór, it is the most prolific producer of new writing in the UK and has worked with incredible playwrights through the years, as well as thousands of creatives to produce their shows.
Tron Theatre produces and presents an eclectic collection of new writing, reinvigorated contemporary classics, dance, comedy and music. It occupies a spot in Glaswegian hearts as unique as the building that houses it – the sixteenth-century Tron kirk, survivor of over 500 years of cultural change and social upheaval. The Tron’s annual, highly irreverent Christmas pantomimes have achieved something of a cult status.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Opened in 1901, the museum collections include natural history, Egyptian antiquities, design, architecture, medieval arms and armoury, Scottish history and the history of Glasgow. The art collections are one of Europe’s great civic art collections, including Scottish, European, African, Asian and Oceanic fine and decorative arts. There are 22 galleries covering everything from art to animals, Ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and so much more. It has stunning architecture and a family-friendly atmosphere.
There are three main venues. The original building, SEC Centre, originally known as the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, opened in 1985. The SEC Armadillo (capacity 3,000) opened in 1997 and then the OVO Hydro (capacity 12,306 seated and 14,500 standing) in 2013. With its infinite flexibility, the campus has gone from strength to strength and with further planned expansion and development, will continue to position Glasgow on the world stage.
Stadium tours are available at Ibrox Stadium, home of Rangers Football Club. Visitors can explore iconic areas such as the home and away dressing rooms, the players’ tunnel, the directors’ box, the iconic marble staircase and the prestigious trophy room. A chance to see the pitch and take a seat in the dugout where legendary figures of Rangers past and present have made their mark. Celtic Park Stadium also offers stadium tours, where visitors can learn about the colourful history and heritage of Celtic Football Club from its inception in 1888. Experience first-hand everything that has made the club famous and renowned the world over.
The Scottish Football Museum at Hampden will take you on a football journey the like of which you have never been on before.
Based within Hampden Park, the Museum provides a wonderful day out for fans of the great game. There are thousands of objects on display, tracing the history of football in Scotland and there is film footage highlighting some of the most memorable games and great players.
Marvel at the original Scottish Cup, the world’s oldest national football trophy. Learn about the history of Scottish football from the 19th century right up until today.
Enter through one of the turnstiles from the old ground and watch Archie Gemmill score one of the top ten World Cup goals of all time against the Netherlands. Sit in what was the original dressing room from the old Third Hampden.
You also visit the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, which features the greatest players this country has ever produced. Denis Law, Jim Baxter, Kenny Dalglish and also catch some of the great foreign players who have graced our game. Watch Henrik Larsson terrorise defences. Witness Brian Laudrup drift past defenders seemingly with little effort.