An ornate late-Victorian heap of red sandstone, the Kelvingrove (located within a lovely park of the same name) is Glasgow’s signature museum—and one of the most popular attractions in Scotland. Free to enter, it features a full house of historic exhibitions on everything from animals to Ancient Egypt and Charles Rennie Mackintosh, plus a wide range of important Scottish art (like Colourist Samuel John Peploe’s Roses), several French and Dutch works, and Salvador Dalí's iconic Christ of Saint John of the Cross. Visiting exhibitions, such as Leonardo da Vinci drawings, round out the offerings. There are also regular organ recitals and free tours on weekends, making the Kelvingrove a perfect family attraction.
CSG CIC Glasgow Museums
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and museum
CSG CIC Glasgow Museums
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
ARCO / G Lenz/© ARCO / G Lenz
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Meet me at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
When I wanna explore a vast oeuvre of art I head to this astounding historic gallery nicely tucked away by the banks of the River Kelvin to view one of the largest free civic art collections anywhere. Get your Dali, Renoir, Van Gogh, Rembrandt freak on and while you’re at it be enchanted by the stories behind the collections including the museum’s making. No wonder Glaswegians affectionately call this red sandstone building a jewel in the crown. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, home to 8,000 pieces recently underwent a 30-million pound restoration adding high-tech interactive displays butted next to rare paintings by the world’s great masters.
One of the finest museums in the UK
Kelvingrove has to be on every Glasgow itinerary. A huge and fascinating gallery with a big range of exhibits and displays. Inside and out the building is hugely impressive and it is ideally located alongside Kelvingrove Park and the River Kelvin in Glasgow’s West End. It’s a great family activity and is free to enter.
Sir Roger, the elephant
We always have to visit Sir Roger, the elephant at the Kelvingrove. It’s a fun museum with natural history and Dr. Who downstairs, and a decent selection of art upstairs. Good for kids. And it’s free.
A Wealth of Art, At No Charge
The chance to browse through Europe’s largest collection of civic art, all under one lavishly vaulted roof, for free? Little wonder that the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Scotland. The permanent collection here includes myriad works by French Impressionists (including Renoir, Monet, Pissarro, and Van Gogh), as well as major pieces by Rembrandt van Rijn and Salvador Dalí. For medieval-history buffs (and Game of Thrones fans), there’s an one of the finest collections of European arms and armor in the world; and hometown art heroes are celebrated in galleries devoted to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the late-19th-century painters’ collective known as The Glasgow Boys. For more information about the places and people who make Glasgow special, visit peoplemakeglasgow.us
Out and about in Glasgow
Cruise visitors calling on Greenock, Scotland with enough time in port can head to the local train station for a quick ride to Glasgow. Once in Glasgow, visit the museum and other cultural attractions. The museum boasts some of the best architecture in the city, and inside make sure to explore the art and natural history exhibits.
