With Glasgow standing as Scotland’s largest city and Edinburgh reigning as the country’s capital, the age-old debate of which is better, Edinburgh or Glasgow, is not one that is easily settled. Voted the world’s best country by The Guardian in 2017, any business trip to this magnificent country will be one to remember. With less than 50 miles between them and both brimming with culture and personality, this decision is not one that should be made lightly. So join us as we determine, finally, which city is really the best, Edinburgh or Glasgow?
Culture
As the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is the heart of all things theatrical in Scotland. Home to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, searching for an evening of escapism won’t take long. The National Theatre of Scotland, Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera all reside in Glasgow and the city hosts the Celtic Connections Festival annually. In addition to traditional performing arts, Glasgow also hosts the SSE Hydro Arena which is the largest business conference and concert venue in Scotland; internationally recognised as a premiere corporate venue.
Both Edinburgh and Glasgow boast an impressive repertoire of cultural attractions. If visiting Glasgow, St Mungo’s Cathedral is the city’s most famous monument, and is one of the last remaining medieval cathedrals to exist in the UK. Located on a hill in the East End district, this 12th century Gothic masterpiece is worth exploring. For a breath of fresh air, Pollok Country Park or Glasgow Botanic Gardens are filled to the brim with history and botany. With a name that literally means ‘dear green place’, Glasgow has more parks and gardens per capita than any other European city, each with their own distinct charm. Therefore, if searching for some of Scotland’s stunning scenery when staying in a serviced apartment in Glasgow, look no further than the city’s array of green spaces.
Those who maintain the opinion that Edinburgh is better than Glasgow point to other facets of Scottish culture, namely its rich and storied history. Both the Old Town and New Town are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, brimming with tradition and stunning architecture. Cobbled streets and narrow lanes are as plentiful as the significant Scottish monuments that line the city; from Edinburgh Castle down the Royal Mile, to the Palace of Holyrood house - there is something to a see with every step. As a city that encourages exploration on foot, this compact, walkable city is ideal for visitors with little time to spare.
Not only home to a plethora of grandiose Georgian architecture, there are few more iconic sights than that of Edinburgh Castle from Arthur’s Seat. The peak of Arthur’s Seat is just a 45-minute walk from Holyrood Park where walkers can witness city-wide views from the heights of this ancient, extinct volcano. Fierce competition for Glasgow, this capital is also home to the Fringe Festival, an explosive exhibition of creative energy and art that celebrates three weeks of culture in the city of Edinburgh. Unquestionably the most prominent arts festival city in the world, Edinburgh holds significant power in this category.
Conclusion: Edinburgh and Glasgow are both blessed with culture and personality however the history buried within Edinburgh’s traditional charm makes it the frontrunner here.
Business
Glasgow prides itself on its industrial heritage and its continuing reign as Scotland’s largest metropolitan city. Formerly an industrial powerhouse, Glasgow’s contribution to the Scottish economy is one of great significance. As the fastest growing major city economy in the UK, with an illustrious shipbuilding legacy, Glasgow has a rich industrial history. Glasgow was selected by the UK to host the worldwide COP26 this November, partly due to its status as a Global Green City awarded in 2020 in recognition of the region’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Not only a beautiful place to visit but also one of the UK’s most sustainable cities, Glasgow is fantastic destination for business travel.
Although both cities were dubbed by the Financial Times as the ‘Best Large European Cities of the Future’, Edinburgh boasts the second strongest economy in the UK after London. Rich in tourism, Edinburgh was also ranked as the UK city with the best prospects for economic growth in 2019. With the city’s culture of innovation and research excellence in disciplines such as energy, technology and medicine, it’s no surprise that Edinburgh hosts hundreds of corporate events every year. The Edinburgh International Conference Centre is right in the heart of the city, perfectly situated for sightseeing to enhance any business trip to the capital.
Conclusion: Facing fierce competition, Edinburgh falls short in this sphere as Glasgow’s long-term significance and impact on the economy is one of noteworthy attention.
Dining
Edinburgh and Glasgow’s food scenes are thriving. Voted PETA’s ‘Most vegan-friendly city in the UK’ in 2013, the variety of options on offer in Glasgow is something to behold as a new generation of restaurateurs revolutionise the city. With the deep-fried mars bar fading to urban legend, long standing institution Cail Bruich became the first in the city to score a Michelin-Star in 18 years. Bursting at its culinary seams with talent, Glasgow is rising as a strong competitor for Edinburgh with innovative cuisines accommodating every taste and budget. From the West End through to the city centre, the best restaurants are truly a mix of global influences with something for everyone
Brimming with decadent dining options, the Scottish capital has more restaurants per head than any other city in the UK. Also hosting more Michelin Star restaurants than anywhere else in Scotland, a business dinner in Edinburgh is not one to miss. This city has everything; in upmarket neighbourhoods such as Stockbridge and Morningside, dozens of arty, independent cafes and restaurants thrive, showcasing Scottish staples as well as hidden gems. The growth in visitor numbers to the Scottish capital has seen an increase in attention surrounding the culinary scene, allowing for a wave of talent to flourish in the format of specialist delis, innovative kitchens and prosperous bistros. Find out more about traditional Scottish flavours in our blog on the Top 8 Whiskey Experiences in Edinburgh.
Conclusion: A close call, yet Edinburgh takes the cake in this category with no less than four Michelin-Star restaurants; you’ll be hard pushed to find anything disappointing in Edinburgh.
When deciding whether Edinburgh or Glasgow is the better city to visit, our conclusions would suggest that Edinburgh narrowly takes the crown but let us know what you think! If lucky enough to be visiting both destinations, why not read our blog for more information on the Top Things to do in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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