Glasgow
The CouchSurfing Wiki, an informal workspace which anyone can edit.
Contents |
Welcome
| ||||||||||||||||||
As Scotland's largest city, Glasgow has seen more changes in the past two decades of its history than almost any other British city. From a declining industrial centre with widespread pessimism about its future, Glasgow has been transformed into a forward-looking city and one of the hippest destinations around, the most vibrant city in Scotland, and according to National Geographic, the most vibrant city in Europe, leaving behind its rough and violent reputation to embrace the arts. On page 116 of the new Lonely Planet Scotland guide, it reveals that: “Not only is a stay in Glasgow a highlight of any trip to Scotland, it’s essential. Combining urban mayhem, black humour and, most of all, a delicious sense of fun, this city will entice you to linger..... Approach Glasgow with an open mind, an open heart and, most essential, a willingness to engage – if you don’t have fun in this city, we’d suggest therapy."
Quick Links
- Internet Access - Handy map with a list of internet cafes and wifi hubs scattered about Glasgow....
- Scotland With Style - on -line guidebook, events, travel tips, download the Glasgow Diary for free....
- Glasgow Museums - Glasgow has plenty of museums to tour, all free....
- Glasgow Gig Guide - How to Swim, Mogwai, Sons & Daughters, GlasVegas, Franz Ferdinand....
- Glasgow Gumtree - flatshares, rideshares, services, community, jobs and classified ad's....
If you need to find somewhere in particular check out this streetmap
CouchSurfers
There are, at the time of writing, around 100 to 150 active Couchsurfers in Glasgow, with many more currently travelling or waiting in the wings. Check out the group for info & updates or to drop us a line.
Biweekly meetings in Mono
Biweekly Meeting: every other weekend a rag tag bunch of couchsurfers meet up around saturday 4pm in downtown mono, a bohemian cafe bar with lots of space and a great menu, the meetings thus far have ranged from the very intimate to the downright chaotic ;) always a mixture of regulars and new faces as well as travelers dropping in and out, this meet is a great occasion to meet more of the Glasgow bunch and plot much sight seeing or mayhem for the week to come. The meet usually evolves into a search for some live music or another form of scottish urban culture. So come on and join the fray, check the group for the weekly updates or to get in touch one of the members.
First and third Saturday of every month -- but check with the group before coming to make sure there'll be others there.
CS Glasgow News
VSO Youth Exchange
Glasgow Host Homes Wanted!
Experience a different culture from the comfort of your own home
Global Xchange is an exciting international and cross cultural youth exchange programme run by VSO (Voluntary Services Overseas) in partnership with the British Council and funded by BAA and v, the youth volunteering charity.
The programme aims to bring together young people from different cultures and make a real difference to communities in the UK and overseas. It also enables young people to develop their own skills and have a once in a lifetime experience.------
In late March, a team of 18 volunteers (aged 18-25) from the UK and Syria will arrive in Glasgow to spend over 6000 hours engaged in voluntary work and local community projects for 10 weeks. We are looking for people to accommodate pairs of volunteers for all or part of this period.
- A weekly allowance of ?75 is provided & only one room is needed* Anyone can be a host - singles, couples, families, young, old...*
Volunteers are CRB checked * 2 supervisors are on hand to offer support For more information contact:Rohanna Law, Programme Supervisor 07968 506 324
Check this post for more details and contact info
Gig-Swapping
Stay tuned...
General Tips
Safety:
For emergency Police, Ambulance, Fire Service or Coast Guard, dial 999, free from any phone.
Related Articles: Safety|Safety for surfers
Couches:
Please try & make you couch request personal! During periods of cheap flights, couchsurfers often get a whole lot of copy and paste style requests at once, so mention something from a host's profile, maybe check this wiki, links, the world wide web or your guide book to find out if there is something you are interested in doing/seeing, if in doubt, ask a local.
If you are having loads of trouble finding a couch before you arrive (which is common during Christmas/new year), you can make a last minute request in the group, can't hurt, if you still don't have any luck, check the hostels below, alternatively, if you are a member of hospitality club or bewelcome, you could try your luck there....
Related Articles: How to write a CouchRequest|Cheat Sheet
Meetings:
This city is more about the people than the place, join a local meeting! if nothing is happening, create a local meeting!
Related Articles: Meetings and Events|How to make a good meeting
Travel:
Glasgow kind of has two Airports, not a big deal on the way in, but on the way out make sure you know which one you are going too, you may miss your flight if you turn up at the wrong one, and it's a £60 taxi journey from airport to airport and maybe a hefty ticket upgrade if you miss you flight.
For ride-shares or carpooling, try Glasgow Gumtree.
Related Articles: Ecological traveling|Rideshares|Checklist for long-term travel
Insider Information
- Melo - Glasgow is full of great (and not so great) buskers but none quite like Melo, his usual spot is on Buchanan St, he's the guy playing the reggae, stop and chat with him, he's always up for banter - my favourite moment in Glasgow was walking down Buchanan St during a total downpour, and there's Melo squeezed under a tiny tarpaulin sheet with his band rocking out in the rain!
Good Hangouts
Daytime
- Kelvingrove Park - During the Summer months this park, chocked full of trees and rolling hills, becomes an unmissable part of Glasgow, with people everywhere, picnics, barbecues, juggling, poi, capoeira, dancing, and often after dark you can hear African drums and spot performing artists playing with fire down by the river. All summer there is even more going on that meets the eye.
- Sarti's on Bath Street, being Italian n all of course do amazing coffee! They also serve various aperitivi, which are free every day between 3pm and 8pm. It's nice to sit outside where you can enjoy the warmth in Summer, but be in the shade too :)
- The GFT on Rose Street in the city centre is one of the more interesting cinemas in Glasgow. An eclectic brochure for an eclectic audience, there is something for everyone here! If you check out the brochure, there are certain viewings for only £3 (usually in the middle of the day)!
Evening
Night-time
No Time To Spare?
- work in progress - what are the 'must see' elements of Glasgow, where should surfers start, spend and finish the day in order to get the most from the city? subject to taste, sure.
Can't Find A Couch?
AARGH! Can't find a couch in time! It happens now and then, especially over festive and holiday periods when many hosts are out of the city or too busy.
Remember you can make an emergency request in the group but if that doesn't work these may be a useful backup;
| Glasgow Hostel 8 Park Terrace, | Blue Sky Hostel West 3 Bank Street, |
| Euro Hostel 56 Berkeley Street, Charing Cross., | Globetrotters Berkley st, |
Travel
By Air
BEWARE - there are two airports with the name "Glasgow": Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Don't get them confused!
Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is situated about 8 miles west of the city centre. You can travel into the city centre either by bus or by train from Paisley's Gilmour Street railway station. For more information, see the airport's website: http://www.glasgowairport.com/portal/site/default/menuitem.07debed571aba8f73bcdea10c02865a0/
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is situated about 32 miles south west of Glasgow. There is a dedicated railway station for Glasgow Prestwick Airport and you can get 50% discount on rail travel to or from anywhere in Scotland. The journey to Glasgow on the train takes 50 minutes. You can also take a bus from Buchanan bus station to Glasgow Prestwick Airport. For more information, see the airport's website: http://www.gpia.co.uk/AirportInfo/HowTo/links.asp
By Rail
Diagram showing local rail services in the SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport) area: http://www.spt.co.uk/rail/images/rail_network_2007.pdf
The rail network in the SPT area is the largest suburban rail network outside London (186 rail stations).
Do have a look into buying a Zonecard if you're planning on staying here for a week or more, as it covers travel by rail, bus, subway and some ferries
By Bus
You can look at and/or download a colour keyed (and quite complicated) Map of Glasgow Bus Routes from First Bus. On First Buses, you can ask the driver for a single ticket when you get on and he or she will tell you the price. Within the city centre, single fares range from £0.85 up to £1.50. The driver will NOT give you change so make sure that you have plenty of coins so you can give the right money. Some buses have an electronic board stating the name of the next stop.
The main bus and coach terminus is Buchanan Bus Station, which is situated north of Sauchiehall Street, between Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Glasgow Caledonian University. It provides local buses and inter-city coaches across Scotland and to the rest of the UK. See here for the location of Buchanan bus station on the map
By Subway
File:GlsgowSubway.png
Built in 1896, it's one of the oldest metros in the world. Originally operated by steam engines via cable traction, the line was electrified in 1935. From 1977 to 1979 the whole line was thoroughly reformed and reopened in 1980. The modern day SPT subway system passes through the city centre, west end and many sites south of the river Clyde, linking 15 stations in under 25 minutes; it's a really convenient way to get across town.
See here for a map of the subway
Times
Monday-Saturday (6:30-23:30) every 4 minutes at peak times, every 6 minutes during the day and every 8 minutes in the evenings.
Sunday (10:00-18:00) every 8 minutes
Tickets
Adult Single - £1.20
Adult Return - £2.40
7-Day Ticket - £13
10-Journey Ticket - £10
20-Journey Ticket - £19
Subway park and ride - £5
Discovery Ticket (unlimited all day travel after 9:30) - £3.50
Spread the goodwill - if you are going to use the subway more than once in a day, buy a discovery ticket, it's cheap after all, and when you get to your last stop, give the discovery ticket to someone getting on so they can ride for free!
Festivals & Events
Throughout 2009:
- Year of the Homecoming - 2009 only - Celebrating Scotland, its culture and heritage. Mainly aimed at Scottish ex-pats and people interested in their Scottish roots. However, the Homecoming is for everyone and anyone who is interested in all that this great nation has to offer. Do check the link for events happening in Glasgow...
January:
- Celtic Connections - Annual - Celebrating traditional & modern Scottish folk music with three weeks of gigs, workshops and into the small hours dancing at the festival club...
February:
- Glasgow Film Festival - Annual - The UK's fastest growing film festival, The Glasgow Film Festival. With special star guests, glamorous events and gala screenings.
March:
- Magners Comedy Festival - Annual - Get set to flourish your gladioli, as March sees Dame Edna Everage top the bill at Magners’ Glasgow International Comedy Festival.
- Aye Write Festival - Annual - Glasgow's very own book festival - something for everyone here, kids and adults alike. Some interesting discussions and debates, definitely worth a wee look!
April:
- Triptych - Last One in 2008! - Scottish Arts festival always features some of the best contemporary musical acts scotland has to offer, highlight will be the last ever triptych party at the arches....
- Glasgow Art Fair - Annual - Now in its 14th year, the Glasgow Art Fair has maintained a reputation for presenting the highest quality contemporary art across a wide range of media, from established artists to emerging new talent. It is the country's most prestigious contemporary art fair outside of London so whether you are serious collector, a casual buyer or just interested in contemporary art, this is the place to buy, sell and view art in Scotland.
May:
- Southside Festival - Annual - The Southside Festival, which takes place in Queens Park, is a celebration of everything which is great about the Southside of Glasgow. The Festival aims to celebrate the cultural diversity and community spirit of this unique area of the city.
June:
- West End Festival - Annual - Including Mardi Gras parade, live music, films, food stalls, local history sessions, guided walks and family events.
July:
- Glasgow River Festival - Annual - Visiting vessels, dinghy sailing, power boating and jet skii Races, music, a fun fair and street performers throughout the area....
August:
- Hey You Get Off My Pavement - Annual, last one in 2008, no line up as of yet - Festival on the pavement with a mix of indie bands from across Glasgow and beyond, no outside funders, no sponsors, any profit goes to charity...
- Glasgow Internation Piping Festival - Annual - Watch Glasgow become the centre of the world of bagpipes...!
- World Pipe Band Championships - Annual - Check the Group Post. Bagpipe bands from around the world compete in full Scottish dress.
September:
October:
- Glasgay Festival - Annual - Scotland's annual celebration of 'queer' culture with events spanning comedy, film, visual art, performance and community arts projects.
November:
- Guyfawkes night fireworks - Annual - Check here nearer the time for group posts.
December:
Links
(temporary, i'll put the into the related articles at a later date)
TravelineScotland.com
SeeGlasgow.com
The Glasgow Guide
MyVillage.com
Itchy
The List
Glasgow International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Strathclyde Passenger Transport
Mega Bus
First Scotrail
Virgin Trains
Add To This Wiki
Maybe you live here and want to contribute insight into Glasgow life/geography/culture/whatever? Or you might be a CouchSurfer and found something you think we should know about? Or want to leave your thoughts on the city? Cool, well, this is a wiki, feel free to edit it yourself, or if you don't fancy fiddling with everything you can get in touch with clark either through his CS Profile or leave a message (or the content you want to add) at User talk:Westendmouse st.
This page is a draft. This is tentative, transient, and collaborative.
We the community are in the process of building this.
Please add what you think ideas, and rearrange things as
you see fit, but don't be quick to delete other people's ideas.
