Glasgow is a name redolent with vivid images of a colourful past: visions of magnificent ocean liners gliding into the River Clyde and being towed out to sea to begin their adventurous lives; tobacco lords whose determination and skill brought great wealth from the Americas and beyond, great comedians, actors and artists; Sir William Burrell and his collection; Victorian architecture; Alexander 'Greek' Thomson and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Glasgow is made up of layer upon layer of people, places, happenings and history.

The Glasgow we have today is the result of over a thousand years of struggle for survival; struggle to make itself heard, to overcome the hardships of day to day life, to stirke out and succeed in trade and industry, bringing wealth to the city whilst trying to contain and look after its growing population. It is this ability to survive, this determination in the face of gritty reality, which gives the people of Glasgow their humanity and their humour.



This book is a visual celebration of Glasgow, with an elegant and informed text which illuminates this fertile, complicated and much loved city.