Gay Glasgow

Glasgow built its reputation as the commercial center of Scotland when early-day merchant princes commissioned magnificent buildings that have been adapted to other uses as museums and exhibition spaces. Glasgow is today known as, “The UK City of Architecture and Design.”

The world-famed architect Charles Rennie Macintosh practiced here and just recently The Lighthouse (Mitchell Lane) reopened as a magnificent museum of modern art. One of Mackintosh’s finest designs, it started life as the home of a Glasgow newspaper and, with adaptive re-use, it has started a second career as a stunning museum. Not the only museum in this stunning city, also worthy of a visit is The Gallery of Modern Art (Queen Street) and the stunning Burrell Collection (Pollockshaws Road).

Glasgow Gay Scene

Glasgay! is acknowledged to be the biggest and best gay and lesbian arts festival in Britain. It is sponsored in part by the Glasgow city council and the Scottish art council. One would be fortunate to be in the city during the festival. In 1999, from Oct. 22 to 31, it was a feast for the eyes, ears and taste buds. If you can plan your visit during these times, you’ll be enthralled at what you’ll see and experience. Merchant City, in the eastern part of town, is home to gay clubs and bars, art galleries and cafes. Virginia Street and John Street are also full of trendy, gay-friendly pubs. GLBT community organizations include the Glasgow LGBT Centre, a meeting space in Merchant City, and the Glasgow Women’s Library, a resource center. There are three key bathhouses and sex clubs – Relax Central in Merchant City, and The Lane and The Pipeworks, both in the City Centre. Gay Glaswegians are friendly, open-minded and unpretentious, and the nightlife is accordingly laid-back.