Glasgow University (photo by wsuph001)

The polished and worldly West End of Glasgow is totally different from the industrial East End and the lively city centre. The district was established in the beginning of the 19th century when the rich merchants of the city founded here their private estates, on the quiet outskirts of the already overpopulated metropolis. The University was also moved here in 1870 form its cramped old site, near the Cathedral in the city centre. This new location, preserved until today, is very picturesque, offering nice views over the River Kelvin. The elegant housing estates and the University were followed by the building of the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, completed for the International Exhibition of 1888. The West End was the first city district, connected to the centre, by the newly constructed Glasgow District Subway (the later Underground) in 1896.

The main thoroughfare passing through the West End is Byres Road, connecting the Great Western Road with Dubarton Road at the Kelvin Hall underground station. Another underground station - Hillhead, which is more convenient for the district’s central area, is located at the intersection of Byres Road and Great George Street. The variety of trendy shops, nice-looking cafés, tempting pubs and crowds of young students give West End an air of style and liveliness. The bright and clean red-brick apartment blocks with beautiful terraces add some additional charm to this cosmopolitan city zone.

University's Tower (photo by keightley)

The landmarks of the West End district are concentrated around the banks of the River Kelvin, which bed has been carefully cleaned up to reveal the beauty of its meanders. Here you can enjoy the impressive plant collection of the Botanic Garden, the pleasant Kelvingrove Park with scenic views towards the picturesque towers and turrets of Glasgow University. In the above park is located the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery featuring one of country’s foremost civic museum and art collections.

The Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is housed in an amazing Victorian castle, built of red sandstone. It was completed for the international fair in 1901. The construction works were sponsored by the Glasgow's wealthy industrialists. The building is a symbol of the city's blossoming period during the 19th century. The high local ambitions are reflected in the rich decoration of both the exterior and interior of Kelvingrove, as it is known among Glaswegians. The interior consists of splendid galleries, flanked by intricately decorated balconies and many interlinked exhibition halls, this creating an ideal backdrop for the rich collection of art and history.

The Towers of Kelvingrove (photo by Spiros2004)

The art gallery and museum has recently undergone a major renovation for three whole years. Opened for visitors again in July 2006, it took little time for Kelvingrove to reestablish itself as the country's most celebrated gallery and museum outside the capital London. The rich exhibitions features various artifacts, from ancient Egyptian relics to medieval armour suites, a real World War II spitfire war plane hanging from the roof and extremely valuable works by Rembrandt, Raeburn and Whistler. Kelvingrove also displays one of the richest civic collections in the UK. It has been gathered for centuries long and its main purpose is to educate and entertain the residents of Glasgow and its guests.

The University of Glasgow enjoys a superb elevated location on the right bank of the River Kelvin, surrounded by scenic lawns and trees. Its tall Gothic spire, lavishly decorated with splendid corner turrets and rows of arcaded windows, dominates the skyline of West End and offers amazing panoramic views over the Kelvingrove Park and the banks of the river. The building was designed by Sir George Gilbert and completed in the middle of the 19th century. The structure under the tower houses the University Visitor Centre and Shop, where you can ask for the guided tours of the campus organized every day from Wednesday to Saturday, except winter months (Nov-Mar).

Kelvingrove Castle (photo by Scott Denham)

Right next to the visitor centre you will found the Hunterian Museum. Opened in the beginning of the 19th century it is reputed to be the oldest public museum in Scotland. Across the street from here is the attractive Hunterian Art Gallery, boasting one of the richest collection of works by Whistler, surpassed only by this in Washington, DC. The gallery also displays a varied selection of 19th- and 20th-century paintings by local Scottish artists, including the impressive quasi-Impressionist landscapes from Scotland by William McTaggart. The Scottish Colourists are also represented by a small display. The Mackintosh House is another attraction in the gallery. It displays a faithful reconstruction of interior in the already destroyed home of the famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Here you can see more than 60 pieces of his original furniture. A separate gallery exhibits the architect’s two-dimensional designs.