Glasgow Museums

(Glasgow, Scotland, UK)

The majority of the museums in Glasgow are completely free to enter, meaning that you can soak up on local Scottish heritage and culture at no cost whatsoever. Located on Argyle Street and alongside Kelvingrove Park, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is especially notable and actually ranks as the biggest civic museum and art gallery in the whole of the United Kingdom.

Also located in the Kelvingrove area of Glasgow is the Museum of Transport on Bunhouse Road, where a large collection of vintage and classic vehicles allows you to learn more about the history of the city's public transportation. In particular, look out for the 250 ship models and the Glasgow railway memorabilia, which even includes a number of famous restored steam locomotives.

Another cultural attraction worth looking out for in the city is the Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum, on the campus of the University of Glasgow, where collections include permanent displays about both the city's famed scientist Lord Kelvin, and acclaimed Scottish designer and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Address: Argyle Street (Kelvingrove), Glasgow, G3 8AG, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 4350
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum was opened for the Scottish International Exhibition in 1901, being recently refurbished (between 2003 and 2006) at the cost of more than £25 million. With a striking red sandstone exterior, this is one of Glasgow's most eye-catching cultural attractions and features a large gallery, full of natural history exhibits, sculptures, and there is even some Star Wars memorabilia here. The Kelvingrove is located in the West End area of the city, close to the Kelvinhall train station.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Friday and Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

David Livingstone Museum

Address: 165 Station Road, Blantyre, Glasgow, G72 9BT, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1698 823 140
The David Livingstone Museum commemorates the life of this famous Victorian explorer and features a number of interesting exhibits. These attractions include historical displays, animated exhibits for children, period furniture, a playground area for children, a tearoom, a gift shop and there is also an exotic garden. The David Livingstone can be found in the South Side area of the city and is nearby the Blantyre train station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:30, Sunday - 12:30 to 17:30, opening times may be reduced in winter
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors and children

Vikingar Museum

Address: Barrfields, 40 Greenock Road, Largs, KA30 8QL, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1475 689 777
The award-winning Vikingar Museum is one of the most impressive museums in the area and is located in Ayrshire, close to Glasgow. This popular attraction explains the Viking history in Scotland during the mid-13th century and includes many multimedia features such as short films in a cinema area, interactive displays, life-size models, guided tours, a large auditorium, a gift shop, a craft shop and a café.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 10:30 to 17:30, October and March, daily - 10:30 to 15:30, November and February, Saturday and Sunday - 10:30 to 15:30
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families of four

Heatherbank Museum of Social Work

Address: Caledonian University, City Campus, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 331 8637
Situated in the heart of medieval Glasgow, the unique Heatherbank Museum of Social Work was founded in 1975 and is full of interesting exhibits about the history of social work and welfare in Scotland, including various artefacts relating to the city. The main highlights include historic documents, costumes, photographs and artefacts, and there are also a number of hands-on activities designed with children in mind. This attraction is conveniently nearby Buchanan Street train station.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:30
Admission: free

Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum

Address: Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow, 82 Hillhead Street, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 330 5431
The Hunterian Art Gallery and Museum was founded in the early 19th century and is full of artefacts donated by William Hunter. When the Hunterian was actually opened it became the first public museum in the whole of Scotland. This popular exhibition centre features many permanent displays, including art collections with paintings by Rembrandt, Roman and Egyptian artefacts, dinosaur fossils, coins, medals and a replica of rooms from Charles Rennie Mackintosh's home on Glasgow's Southpark Avenue. The Hunterian Art Gallery also has a gift shop and is located in the West End, close to the Hillhead train station.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:30 to 17:00
Admission: free

Museum of Transport

Address: Kelvin Hall, 1 Bunhouse Road, Glasgow, G3 8DP, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 287 2720
The Glasgow Museum of Transport is one of the best transport museums in the United Kingdom and is full of buses, trams, caravans, bicycles, cars and motorbikes. Other attractions here include scale-models of some of the city's most famous ships built during the industrial era, a cinema area and a gift shop. This notable attraction is located in the West End, being in close proximity to the Kelvinhall train station. Free guided tours are available and allow you to make the very most of your time here.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00, Friday and Saturday - 11:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Regimental Museum of the Royal Highland Fusiliers

Address: 518 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 0961
The Regimental Museum of the Royal Highland Fusiliers is situated in the city centre, close to the King's Theatre, and can be found in a stylish building, which was designed by several local architects, including the famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This venue is full of historical information about the Scottish regiments, the Highland Light Infantry, the Royal Scots Fusiliers and general Scottish and Glasgow military memorabilia. The Regimental Museum of the Royal Highland Fusiliers is nearby St. George's Cross train station.
Open hours: Monday to Thursday - 09:00 to 16:30, Friday - 09:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Springburn Museum

Address: Atlas Square, Ayr Street, Glasgow, G21 4BW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 557 1405
Springburn Museum is sited within the East Dunbartonshire area of Glasgow and is a rich source of local Springburn history. With many fascinating exhibits about the area's important industrial past, attractions at the Springburn include displays about the city's important railway network, steam trains and large locomotives.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:30 to 12:45, 13:45 to 17:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 12:45, 13:45 to 16:30
Admission: free

Tenement House Museum

Address: 145 Buccleuch Street, Garnethill, Glasgow, G3 6QN, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 9368
The Tenement House Museum is located in Glasgow city centre and offers tourists and visitors the chance to explore the city's interesting, historic past. This late-Victorian house is owned by the National Trust for Scotland and includes exhibitions, period furnishings and many other historic features.
Open hours: March to October, daily - 14:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, students, children, families and groups

Souter Johnnie's Cottage

Address: Main Road, Kirkoswald, Glasgow, KA19 8HY, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1655 760 603
Souter Johnnie's Cottage, in the Ayrshire area nearby Glasgow, was built in the 18th century and is now home to an important museum that commemorates the work of Robbie Burns, the famous Scottish poet and writer. Of particular interest at the Souter Johnnie's Cottage are many items of Burns memorabilia, including poems, models and pictures.
Open hours: April to September, daily - 11:30 to 17:00, October, Saturday and Sunday - 11:30 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts available for seniors, children and families

Scottish Jewish Archives Centre

Address: Garnethill Synagogue, 127 Hill Street, Glasgow, G3 6UB, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 332 4911
The Scottish Jewish Archives Centre is situated in the city centre, nearby to the Cowcaddens train station. With many interesting historic Jewish items and exhibits, the centre is housed in the Garnethill Synagogue, which is interestingly the oldest building of its kind in Scotland.
Open hours: appointment only
Admission: free