Glasgow Science Centre

What is it?

Stunning architecture aside the Glasgow Science Centre is an independent Scottish charity dedicated to raising awareness of science and technology.  All dedicated to scientific education and entertainment for the young and old alike..



The science mall hosts three floors containing hundreds of interactive exhibits, a dedicated science show theatre and the Scottish Power Planetarium where you can learn about and marvel at the wonders of the night sky under the glittering dome.



Glasgow Science Centre also features Scotland's only IMAX cinema and Glasgow Tower, the only tower in the world that can through rotate 360° on its vertical axis from the ground up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=camXrrqQWLo

What makes Glasgow Science Centre an incredible place to visit is the design, the setting and opportunity to interact with science. From watching an experiment unfold to taking part in a fun workshop or simply chatting with one of the centre's enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff who are there to help make science accessible and fun.

The IMAX cinema  is well worth a visit for fans of the big screen a must see in this format has to be the forthcoming Star Wars movie - The Force Awakens.

http://www.starwars.com/

http://www1.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/glasgow-science-centre


Where is it?

It's situated on the banks of the River Clyde at 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow, G51 1EA and is easily accessible by car, bus, train, bike, boat, on foot or by seaplane if you want to make dramatic entrance.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Glasgow,+Glasgow+City+G51+1EA/@55.8589276,-4.29915,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x48884678353ae5c7:0xb505e425b6dfc4fc?hl=en-GB

When was it built?

Queen Elizabeth II opened Glasgow Science Centre on 5 June 2001 accompanied by Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh.

 

http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2015/AnnouncementofaStateVisitbytheKingandQueenofSpain.aspx

Who is responsible for its design?

The Glasgow Science Centre was designed by BDP Architects based in Glasgow who won a national competition to design the centre which is the  largest Millennium Commission-funded project in Scotland.

this incorporates the Glasgow Tower which is Scotland’s tallest free-standing structure (concept by Richard Horden Associates), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Horden

The buildings are wrapped in cutting-edge materials including titanium and aluminium, and form a single entity thanks to features such as a linking teflon fabric roof and a ‘discovery’ tunnel.

The centre cost £33 million to construct. http://www.bdp.com/en/projects/f-l/glasgow-science-centre/

What's nearby?

• The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)  http://www.secc.co.uk/ SSE Glasgow Hydro  http://www.thessehydro.com/

BBC Scotland HQ http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/ STV HQ  http://www.stv.tv/

Berth of the Waverley Paddle Steamer  http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/

The River Clyde

 







   

SSE Hydro

What is it?

The SSE Hydro is so called because the energy company SSE Scottish Hydro holds naming rights to the venue; the same company holds naming rights to the SSE Arena Wembley (London).




The 12,500 seat purpose built venue is the largest indoor arena in Scotland and the only one of its scale in the UK builtspecifically for concerts and events. 

The SSE Hydro is the latest landmark on Glasgow's skyline.  Modelled on Greek and Roman amphitheatres, the 45m tall building, with its distinctive silver dome, stands higher than the neighbouring Armadillo. Translucent materials used in the façade cause the building to appear to glow at night.

Like the Clyde Auditorium (the SECC Armadillo), The SSE Hydro has been designed from the inside out. Visitors can enjoy outstanding viewing angles from each of the 12,000 seats in the fixed, tiered and demountable seating system and the acoustics are of the highest standard. There are a wide range of food and drink outlets as well as a club seating area and  VIP boxes, each capable of accommodating 12 people. There are also be restaurants, bars and sponsors lounges.

The SSE Hydro is one of the first major developments to be undertaken in the SECC's QD2 master plan which has the potential to create 2,449 jobs.

The 12,000-seat arena is the largest entertainments venue in Scotland and the only one of its scale in the UK built specifically for concerts and events. The Hydro will host around 140 events each year, including national and international artists and bands as well as being a venue for major comedy stars and sporting events.

The arena has the potential to inject an additional £131 million into the local economy. The current economic impact of the SECC is £347million per annum with 1.5 million visitors a year.

Where is it?

The Hydro is part of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre complex operated by SEC Limited and located in Finnieston, Glasgow (Scotland) on the Queens Dock site adjacent to the River Clyde.

When was it built?

The building was opened in September 2013.

Whose responsible for its design?

Created by world-renowned architects Foster and Partners, who also designed the SECC's Clyde Auditorium (the Armadillo see below), Scotland's new national arena will hold 12,000 fully seated and is the largest entertainments venue in Scotland. Now known as The SSE Hydro, the SECC national arena is the only one of its scale in the UK built specifically for concerts, conferences and events.



What's nearby?

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC)  and SSE Glasgow Hydro  

BBC Scotland HQ

STV HQ  

•  Loch Lomond Sea Planes
• Berth of the Waverley Paddle Steamer  
•  Glasgow Science Centre
• The River Clyde

Other links?

Events held here have included:

Fleetwood Mac, the Arctic Monkeys, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, the Eagles, the MTV Europe music awards, Commonwealth Games sports.

.

Glasgow Subway

What is it?

Opened in 1896 Glasgow's Subway is the third oldest in the world behind London and Budapest.  Glaswegians call the Subway the clockwork orange on account of the vivid orange livery of the carriages.

All of the network runs underground and is formed of two tunnels forming an outer and inner circle with trains running clockwise in the first and anti-clockwise in the latter around a 10 km route calling at 15 stations in the centre west of Glasgow.  8 of the 15 stations sit north of the River Clyde and the remaining 7 to the south of the river.

Trains are a maximum of 3 cars long giving a maximum length of 36 metres.  A 3 car train can accommodate 112 seated passengers and a further 165 standing passengers.

A flat fare applies to any journey on the Subway and it's a quick and convenient way to get around the city.       

Where is it?

You'll find stations along the route at:



Click here for more details: http://www.spt.co.uk/subway/maps-stations/#stations

A song!  
 

When was it built?

It was first opened in 1896 having taken five years to construct.

Who's responsible for its design?

The Glasgow Subway Company commissioned the project and this picture shows directors, engineers and city officials at the opening in 1896. 



What's nearby?

Could be an urban myth but I've heard there's a challenge associated with the Subway.

Travelling clock-wise the journey time between Buchanan Street and St. Enoch is approximately 55 seconds. At street level it's a downhill journey, but it is along Buchanan Street one of the busiest shopping streets in Britain if not Europe and there are three road crossings.

Challenge is to get off the train at Buchanan Street and back on the same train when it stops at St. Enoch - I don't know that its ever been achieved and I don't suggest you try.  Too many distractions and too many people for a start. especially near Christmas - Spot the real Santa anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqJCDlqTZXg

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4581



What I do suggest is that you use the Subway to make the most of your visit and journeys around the city.  The Subway will get you to many of the city's parks, cultural attractions, shopping centres, entertainment venues and pubs and restaurants.

Get off at Hillhead and you'll land on Byres Road the heart of the city's west end.  Here you'll find good food, live music, vibrant bars, Glasgow University, Kelvingrove Park and Art Gallery, the Botanic Gardens, and an incredible mix of shops and people.  See the video for yourself.

Other links:

https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4581

Locomotion Sculpture

What is it?

Locomotion is a bronze sculpture of a man running within two large hoops representing wheels.  For me it's one of the best pieces of public art on display in Glasgow and it's passed by thousands of motorists and pedestrians daily.  You should stop and have a look. 

 

It symbolises motion and to me at least represents the power of human endeavour, perseverance and invention.

 

 

Where is it?

The sculpture can be found at 58 Port Dundas Road, Glasgow, G4 0HL outside Buchanan House, formerly ScotRail House.

This is the site of the former Buchanan Street train station.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@55.8669666,-4.2542469,3a,37.5y,64.47h,92.95t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK3mMydttKdq3lreT_oGGqw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en-GB

http://urbanglasgow.co.uk/archive/buchanan-street-railway-station__o_t__t_414.html




When was it built?

As best I can make out the sculpture was erected in 1967.

Whose responsible for its design?

The then British Rail commissioned the English sculptor Frank Cossell to design Locomotion.  

 

The sculptors studio was in Hearne Bay, Kent and the sculpture was returned there in 1988 to be refurbished before being returned to it's Glasgow home the same year.  An occasion recorded by the Glasgow Herald newspaper at the time.   

 

   https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19880316&id=Jjc1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=OKYLAAAAIBAJ&pg=4941,4155984&hl=en

What's nearby?

•  Cineworld Cinema  http://www1.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/glasgow-renfrew-street
• The National Piping Centre http://www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/
• Theatre Royal http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-glasgow/history/
• Buchanan Galleries Shopping Centre http://buchanangalleries.co.uk/
• Glasgow Caledonian University http://www.gcu.ac.uk/
• TISO Outdoor   http://www.tiso.com/?gclid=CjwKEAiAgvyxBRDmuviAj67g-XQSJABTLMcHr2gTyAiel6HDXcsbDYcxOizNGa4TbZkpeSUyGMOFEBoCTzrw_wcB
• Buchanan Bus Station http://www.spt.co.uk/bus/bus-stations/buchanan-bus-station/

 
Other links?

 https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/

http://www.citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk/

Welcome

Hi, thank you for visiting the Glasgow Buildings and Landmarks blog. 

I hope the blog will inspire you to visit these iconic places for yourself and learn more about their past, present and future as every one has a unique and fascinating story to tell.

Whether you are a Glaswegian, like me, or a visitor to the city there's much to see.

Enjoy the blog and any time you spend in the city.

Kenny