A Business Travel Guide to Glasgow

Staying in Glasgow, Scotland

Located in the West of Scotland, the port city of Glasgow is a growing business hub with plenty of culture to be explored in your downtime. Even on your commute to work from your serviced apartment, you can enjoy the surrounding Victorian nouveau architecture and there's no need to worry about feeling welcome during your stay, as Glasgow has repeatedly been coined the friendliest city in the UK! 

Whether you are relocating to Glasgow, or visiting for a short business trip, read on to familiarise yourself with the basics and make the most of all that Glasgow has to offer. 

Key information for visiting Glasgow, Scotland

Weather in Glasgow

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and possibly one of the wettest with 167 days of rainfall a year. Business travellers should pack an umbrella and be prepared to explore in all weather! 

Notwithstanding this, it has warm summers and springs, with highs of 19°C in July and August. Having 15 hours of daylight, Glasgow's midsummer is ideal for sightseeing after work. 

The winter months aren't too cold either, ranging from 9°C in the daytime to lows of 2°C at night.  

Currency in Glasgow

GBP (£)

The currency in Glasgow, like the rest of the UK, is the pound. Scotland does, however, also have its own banknotes. They hold the same value as British pounds, and both can be used across the city. Some smaller local businesses may prefer Scottish notes, so we recommend having both on hand for business travel.  

Scotland's 'beautiful banknotes' have a rich history (excuse the pun) as they are the only notes in the world where women feature across all denominations, so it's worth withdrawing some cash just to see this highly commended currency!  

All major credit cards are accepted and there are plenty of ATMs across Glasgow. Tipping is not mandatory but, if you receive exceptional service, 10-15% is customary.  

Health & Well-being in Glasgow

Glasgow is a very walkable city with plenty of green spaces for walking, running, or relaxing after a busy day of business. Glasgow Green is Glasgow's oldest park and home to varying playparks, riverside walks, and the world's largest terracotta fountain. There is also Kelvingrove Park which is home to a wide range of birds and wildlife. Both areas are popular amongst dog walkers and perfect for family days out.  

For a lengthier outing, Pollock Country Park is just a short train journey from Glasgow central and the ideal place for a business traveller to immerse themselves in the countryside and see some Highland cows. As Glasgow's largest park and only country park, Pollock Country Park is a must see.  

In addition, there are numerous gyms, and health and fitness centers around the city for when the weather outdoors is too rainy! 

Data in Glasgow

Planning on buying a SIM before arriving in Glasgow? It’s good to know that the best data providers in Scotland are EE and Vodaphone. Their network plans can be bought both in-store and online – remember to bring a form of ID and the address of your serviced apartment for in-person purchase. 

Plug Type: Type G, 3-pronged plug 

Emergency Contact Numbers in Glasgow
 

In case of an emergency on your business trip to Glasgow, the key numbers to know are; 

999 for an immediate response to an emergency (police, fire, ambulance) 

101 for a non-urgent emergency which doesn’t require immediate assistance

Cuisine in Glasgow

Whether dining alone or going out with colleagues, there is a wide range of cuisine to try before the end of your business trip to Glasgow. 

Firstly, haggis. Although you've probably already heard of it, haggis is Scotland's national dish and well worth the mention. It's a combination of lamb meat, onion, oatmeal, herbs, suet, and stock, boiled inside the lining of a sheep's stomach. Its lesser mentioned counterpart is neeps and tatties, or swede and potatoes. 

Aside from this renowned dish and its sides, another plate to try is the traditional creamy fish soup, Cullen Skink, made of smoked haddock, potato, and onion.  

Lastly, whist this is not a historical dish, deep fried Mars bars were reportedly first served in Glasgow's fish and chips so they're certainly worth a try for those with a sweet tooth!  

For a more in-depth guide to the Glaswegian cuisine, check out our rundown of traditional Scottish foods to try in Glasgow.  

Speaking the Language in Glasgow, Scotland

English

Nearly everyone in Glasgow speaks English. There are various other dialects too like Scots and Scottish Gaelic. Whilst Gaelic is considered the founding language of Scotland, it's only spoken by 57,000 people today, so it's certainly useful to know some modern Glaswegian slang on your business trip to Glasgow:  

Aye / Naw = Yes / No 

Wee = Small 

Bampot = Idiotic person 

Braw = Good / Pleasant – often heard like 'it’s a braw day'  

Bonnie = Pretty / Beautiful – derived from Scots! 

Transport in City - Getting Around Glasgow, Scotland

As mentioned above, Glasgow is very walkable. There's really no need for car hire when a good combination of walking and public transport can get you around the city. All of Scotland's public transport can be navigated using the 'Door-to-Door Journey Planner', allowing you to choose your route based on its speed or mode of transport as well as providing instructions on how to complete the journey. 

Glasgow's subway system, with on-platform Wi-Fi, makes sightseeing outside of your serviced apartment easily accessible. Train tickets can be bought at one of the 15 stations or online via topping up the free 'subway smartcard'. When making multiple trips, it can be cost effective to invest in a day ticket or a ZoneCard ticket for a smartcard.  

Glasgow's Central Business District (CBD) is in the city centre and easily accessible by train, specifically via Argyle Street Station and High Street Station. This district is near plenty of attractions, like the famous Barras Market and the River Clyde, conveniently bridging the gap between business and leisure on your business trip to Glasgow.  

If you are looking to cross the river, you can take the Renfrew Ferry which connects the north and south banks of the river. All transport can be further understood and planned through the SPT website. 

Glasgow Map

Our Top Tips to Making the Most of your Business Trip to Glasgow. 

Now that you've read the essential information for your business trip to Glasgow, consider a day out to the award-winning Riverside Museum of Transport to see its unique architecture alongside the River Clyde. Or, how about turning Glasgow's clubbing nightlife scene into a classier venture by visiting Drygate Brewery, complete with 26 rotating beers on tap, perfect for watching sports, music, or comedy shows. This brewhouse is just a short walk from Glasgow’s Central Business District (CBD) where SilverDoor has a host of serviced apartments.  

Check out our top serviced apartments in Glasgow and our recommendations of their nearby eateries, galleries, and transport links. Browse our range of apartments here and get in touch with a member of our helpful team to book today.