Looking like the graph of a boom-and-bust financial market, the Riverside Museum’s jagged tooth–like facade, designed by the late Iraqi-British “starchitect” Zaha Hadid, is an iconic bit of development on the banks of the River Clyde. Inside, you’ll find Glasgow’s extensive collection of all things related to transportation, from skateboards and locomotives to prams, cars, and an Imperial Stormtrooper. Wander through the interactive displays to visit city shops, bars, and subway stops, then climb aboard a train, tram, or bus and get a feel for old public transportation. Visitors can also discover Glasgow’s rich shipbuilding history, explore the car and motorbike walls, and help put out a blaze with an interactive fire engine. Before leaving, head outdoors to the quayside to see the Tall Ship Glenlee—one of only five Clyde-built sailing ships that’s still afloat.
©Ian Watson 2011. Exterior Riverside Museum.
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
Riverside Museum, Glasgow, Scotland
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Riverside Museum’s Memory Lane
The author of “How The Scots Invented the Modern World” would surely revel in this ginormous place by the Glasgow Harbor celebrating the history of transport both on land and sea. Not only does this extraordinary collection showcasing some of the world’s biggest inventions i.e. the bicycle, the steam locomotive and the steamship get top viewing but they’re displayed in full glory. Some objects are dangling from the ceiling while others are mounted on the walls so you feel like you are immersed in a giant display case. Over 3,000 pieces are laid out in this massive museum bigger than two football fields designed by Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid. Head to recreated streetscapes and wander inside restored shops. Volunteer docents like Bob James a retired fireman gives his personal touch by making motors come to life like a rare Leyland Master engine. The red bricked chassis nickname is a ‘toolbox on wheels.’
Museum Transports Glasgow
This new waterfront incarnation of the Glasgow Museum of Transport, which debuted in 2011, was voted the 2013 European Museum of the Year by the European Forum Awards. It’s not hard to see why: the collections here marry a supercool Zaha Hadid-designed building (resembles a folded paper plane) with even cooler exhibits chronicling the city’s many modes of transport. There are vintage trams, subway cars, and train carriages you can climb inside; parked cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and even skateboards snake along the walls. As a nod to the city’s maritime history, tours and talks are offered on a refurbished tall ship, the Glenlee, that’s docked alongside at Pointhouse Quay. For more information about Glasgow’s world-class attractions please visit peoplemakeglasgow.us
