Glasgow: Scotland’s Hidden Gem

Adventure 2025 took me to Glasgow, Scotland, the Dear Green Place. I was more than ready to dive into the unknown! I’d previously roamed the beautiful streets of Edinburgh and basked in the majesty of the Scottish Highlands, where I had tea with Nessie, but don’t ask her about her scones.

But Glasgow? That was a brand-new chapter waiting to be written.

Funny enough, Glasgow had nearly made the cut during my plans to attend the 2023 Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, primarily because, let’s be real, hotel prices in Glasgow looked like a bargain compared to Edinburgh.

This year, while mapping out my annual adventures, I decided to explore Glasgow instead of The Hague and Rotterdam because logistics made it easier.

Spoiler alert: best decision ever!

GETTING HERE

Getting to Glasgow was a breeze. I snagged a budget-friendly flight with British Airways. Before I could say “haggis,” I was strutting toward my hotel from Glasgow Airport.

The only bump in the road? Google Maps had me walking toward a major roundabout that was decidedly pedestrian-unfriendly. I wasn’t alone in my navigational nightmare; I spotted another couple who looked just as lost as I was, all thanks to Google!

COURTYARD GLASGOW AIRPORT

My home base for this grand escapade was the Courtyard Glasgow Airport, just six minutes away on foot (as long as you actually find the pedestrian path). At $75 a night, it was a steal compared to its Marriott siblings across town.

However, a reality check: it was a 20-minute bus ride to the city center, with the Airport Express ticket costing $20 for a round-trip, so I had to get cozy with public transport.

My stay at the Courtyard Glasgow Airport was a mixed bag. My King Deluxe Room was spacious enough – 20 square meters, but who’s counting? It also came equipped with a mini-fridge and a desk — perfect for my snacky-snacks and scribbling down thoughts!

Nevertheless, there were quite a few issues that threatened my perspective of this hotel.

First, the price of my room was higher than what my confirmation stated and did not reflect the prepaid price. Luckily, I noticed and spoke with the manager before checking in. She fixed the price, albeit she didn’t seem very happy about it.

My room was functional. However, there was a lot of noticeable wear and tear. The carpet was stained and needed to be removed and burned. The curtains were filthy. The bathroom had enough grime and mold to build your own mud hut, and the sink was cracked. The fire alarm kept going off for unknown reasons on a day that wasn’t the scheduled test day.

Nevertheless, the dinner service was good. The food was expensive, but edible. My waitress, Kirsty, was a gem and did her best to ensure I had a wonderful dining experience. The hotel states it offers room service, but conveniently forgot to place a menu in the room.

PHOTO SAFARI

While Glasgow is brimming with incredible museums, the museums I wanted to explore — the People’s Palace and the Scotland Street School Museum — were closed for refurbishment.

The Glasgow Science Centre sounded fun. However, the $25 entry price didn’t balance out what the centre offered.

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most popular museums in Glasgow, thus it was packed. I wanted to avoid crowds as much as possible.

As for the Police Museum? I walked in, took a look around, and decided I’d rather wander the streets instead — like a true adventurer!

So, I grabbed my camera and started exploring, snapping pictures and soaking in the atmosphere. And honestly? That was the best part. I found joy in the little moments and felt grateful for the chance to explore this vibrant city.