10 Things to Do in Glasgow Off the Beaten Track

Ashton Lane, tucked away in the West End of Glasgow, is quite popular with locals looking to enjoy the city's nightlife scene. This cobblestone street is adorned with fairy lights in between the building's roofs on either side, creating a glowing canopy at night. The street itself has quite a few pubs and restaurants, including the iconic Ubiquitous Chip. There's even a small theatre along this street called Grosvenor Cinema, which screens all sorts of films throughout the year.

Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre was founded by Eduard Bersudsky, an expert sculptor and mechanic. These 2 disciplines are combined quite impressively to create enchanting works of art that are aesthetically breathtaking. The steampunk pieces aren't necessarily standalone either, as they are often combined with visual and audio additions to create moving stories. Presenting a satisfyingly haunting atmosphere, common themes include the futile struggle against the circle of life and death. 

At Glasgow Necropolis, you'll find around 3,500 impressively constructed monuments, including some that towers over you. You can take a guided tour of the cemetery to learn more about the important people that are laid to rest here, including the Protestant Reformation leader John Knox. 

If that isn't enough to interest you, the orientation of the necropolis creates an impressive overlook position that lets you gaze out over the Glasgow skyline. Likely, you won't be able to find a view like this anywhere else in the city. 

Glasgow Botanic Gardens is among the most iconic destinations in the city, but there's something within its grounds that's often overlooked, called Kibble Palace. This greenhouse was designed by John Kibble, a noted inventor and engineer, and it offers far more than a standard greenhouse. 

Its impressive design implements marble statues with vibrantly coloured flowers adorning them. There are tropical palms inside the greenhouse, which aren't naturally grown in Scotland. Kibble Palace also has a collection of carnivorous plants. 

The Lighthouse in Glasgow functions as a centre for design and architecture, as well as a visitor centre and exhibition space. While the exterior certainly looks like a lighthouse, it has much more to offer inside. You'll find a helical staircase that leads to the top of the lighthouse. 

Once you reach its peak, there's a viewing platform offering incredible views of Glasgow's uninterrupted cityscape. You'll also find another viewing platform on the south side, which is accessible via a lift if you don't want to climb the stairs.

While there are plenty of impressive churches throughout Glasgow, none evokes feelings quite like St Aloysius Church does. This church, which towers over nearby Hill Street, was crafted with a Renaissance design but that's not even its most appealing trait. It's also the home of the Lady of Montserrat statue, one of only 2 that are located outside of Catalonia. 

Also known as The Black Madonna, there's something oddly enchanting about this statue that you're free to observe while exploring this centuries-old church.

Britannia Panopticon Theatre is a relic from Glasgow's past dating back to 1857. Renovations have been made over time, but the stage here was restored to its 1920s glory. Not only is this institution a representative of Glasgow's past, but it's also the oldest surviving music hall in the world. 

Britannia Panopticon Theatre isn't just for tours though, as it's still putting on shows to this day. You can buy tickets to catch a traditional music concert, film screening, or comedy show – check their official website for the latest schedules. 

Tennent's Factory is a historical brewery in Glasgow that has been producing finely crafted brews since 1885. When you take a tour here, you can dive into the rich history of brewing in Scotland dating from the 16th century up to the present day, though brewer Hugh Tennent is the star of the story. If that weren't enough, you can also book beer-tasting master classes. No matter what kind of tour you opt for, there's always a wee pint of freshly brewed beer waiting for you at the end.