Best Free Museums in Glasgow"

"Best Free Museums in Glasgow"

Created by: Cityseeker

7 Locations Bookmarked

Gallery of Modern Art "Child-Friendly Art"

This building started as the Cunninghame Mansion, designed by David Hamilton in 1778 for one of the Tobacco Lords. Its next incarnation was as the Royal Exchange and after that it became a public library. Since 1996, this stunning edifice, fronted by imposing Corinthian columns and crowned with a mini temple, has been home to one of Glasgow's most by Tony Webster popular art galleries. The permanent exhibition consists of four galleries, each with an elemental theme. Children are attracted by the cartoon macabre sculptures, some of which hang from sublimely ornate ceilings.

+44 141 287 3050 www.glasgowlife.org.uk/m [email protected]. Royal Exchange Square, useums/GoMA/Pages/defa uk Glasgow ult.aspx

Provand's Lordship "The Oldest House in Glasgow"

Situated adjacent to Glasgow Cathedral, is Provand's Lordship, the oldest surviving medieval house in Glasgow. Built in 1471 as the manse for the St Nicholas Hospital, the house is believed to have been used by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1566 during a visit to Glasgow to see Lord Darnley. Its name is derived from the 19th century, when it was occupied by the Lord by CharNewcomb of Provand. These days, it operates as a museum and houses a collection of medieval furniture and artifacts, spread over three floors. At the rear, is a tranquil medieval herb garden which is accessible to wheelchair users.

+44 141 552 8819 www.glasgowlife.org.uk/m [email protected]. 3 Castle Street, Glasgow useums/provands-lordship uk /Pages/default.aspx

St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art "Fascinating Multi-Faith Museum"

The St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, explores the importance of religion in people's lives across the world and across time. The building, which stands on the site of the medieval Bishop's Castle, was opened in April 1993. The aim of the museum is to promote understanding and by MSeses respect between people of different faiths and those with no particular religious affiliation. Displays occupy three floors and are divided into four exhibition areas: the Gallery of Religious Art, the Gallery of Religious Life, the Scottish Gallery and a temporary exhibition space. The museum is situated near the magnificently Gothic Glasgow Cathedral and opposite Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in the city.

+44 141 276 1625 www.glasgowlife.org.uk/m [email protected] 2 Castle Street, Glasgow useums/st-mungos/Pages/ default.aspx Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum "Impressive Art Museum"

In 1901, the splendid Kelvingrove Gallery was built to house the International Exhibition. In 2007 a major remodel was completed, making Kelvingrove even more of a must-see Glasgow attraction than it was before. This red sandstone building on Glasgow's Argyle Street by Phillip Capper immediately captures attention, as do the 22 themed galleries and remarkably curated 8000-odd objects inside it. According to a local legend, the gallery was built back to front by mistake, but this is just a myth - it was intended to face the river rather than the road. The collection within ranges from local historical art to Rodin sculptures, natural history specimens of varying interest, and a Stormtrooper costume from the original Star Wars films. There is also an emphasis on the King of Surrealism, Salvador Dali's 'Christ of St John of the Cross'. Exciting exhibitions, a special emphasis on involving youngsters and a timeless devotion to art deems the Kelvingrove Gallery one of the most noteworthy artistic repositories in Scotland.

+44 141 276 9599 www.glasgowlife.org.uk/m [email protected]. Argyle Street, Glasgow useums/venues/kelvingrov uk e-art-gallery-and-museum

Riverside Museum "Museum of Vintage Motors"

The Riverside Museum and Tall Ship are two very impressive structures that catch the attention on the banks of the Clyde. An array of classic cars, old bicycles and trams meet your gaze as you enter and there is a circa 1900 street down which you can traverse. The fun and colorful cars and other motors displayed at the museum will amuse children and the by Neillwphoto vintage transport collection is bound to make grannies and grandpas reminiscent of the golden years of transport. The street has various shops, such as dressmakers, photographers and even a subway station, which can be entered and explored. The museum was proud recipient of the European Museum of the Year award.

+44 141 287 2720 www.glasgowlife.org.uk/m [email protected]. Pointhouse Place, Glasgow useums/venues/riverside- uk museum

Paisley Museum "Paisley's Intricate History"

One of Paisley's most illustrious establishments, this museum is just a one- stop train ride away from Glasgow Central's bustling environs. It was founded in the year 1871 by Sir Peter Coats who gifted the peaceful town of Paisley its first-ever museum. The museum is home to a fascinating array of exhibits that range from stuffed lions and exquisite Egyptian by Paisley Scotland artifacts to an impressive collection of vivid paintings by some of Scotland's most respected artists. The jewel in the crown, however, is their collection of Paisley shawls that elucidates the evolution of their designs throughout the centuries, with the earliest specimen being from around the 1800s. One of their prime exhibits is an enormous loom, which showcases the complexities of the designs that the weavers worked with.

+44 141 889 3151 www.paisley.org.uk/attrac [email protected]. High Street, Paisley tions/paisley-museum/ uk Coats Observatory "Observing the Stars in the 19th Century"

The Coats Observatory, founded by Thomas Coats in 1883 is an impressive, beautiful building, reached via the Paisley Museum. You can wander the building alone and when you are ready, you are taken up to the dome, to observe the impressive hand-cranked mechanisms that open the dome and rotate the large telescope built in 1898. From the top of the building, there is a fabulous view of Paisley Town. The historic Oakshaw Street can be seen, the Paisley Abbey, and old factories (which have now been converted into flats). It's a fascinating step back in history, and in the winter months they open the dome to visitors who want to gaze at the stars.

+44 141 889 2013 www.paisley.org.uk/2009/03/coats- 49 Oakshaw Street West, Paisley observatory/

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