Birds' Eye Views of Glasgow
- Glasgow University and Art Gallery
The red sandstone building near the foot of this picture is the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. Located on the banks of the river Kelvin, it was officially opened in 1901. It had been built following a design competition and was launched with a major international exhibition in the surrounding parkland. The side we see here, which faces a main road, is actually the rear of the building, as it was designed to have its frontage facing the river.
The building is a typical product of the Victorian age (as are many of Glasgow's fine buildings) with ornate, red stonework on the outside and twenty display galleries and two side courts grouped round an impressive central court. If you are lucky, you can hear a recital from the massive organ there.
Across the river are the imposing University of Glasgow buildings at Gilmorehill, with their landmark spire which dominates the skyline in the west of the city. The University was originally founded in the centre of Glasgow in 1451 but moved to this building at the end of the 19th century (the old buildings were demolished to make way for a railway goods station). The University also houses the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum. When it opened in 1807, the Hunterian was Scotland's first public museum and it has expanded over the years.
The University outgrew its 19th century buildings, of course. The plain, modern block of the Boyd Orr building (to the left of the picture) was the answer. Since then, many other university buildings have been constructed in the area, but on a smaller scale.
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
