Glasgay!, Scotlands annual celebration of queer culture, takes place from 12 October-11 November with an impressive number of performances, exhibitions, clubs, comedy and even a film festival that are sure to thrill it's 25,000 visitors (read our Top Picks feature). Spread over a month, there's never been a better time to visit the city.

Glasgow has had a chequered history since it was first establish in the shadow of St Mungo’s Cathedral during the 6th Century, with periods of immense wealth followed by years of terrible depression and poverty. The 1970’s found the city at its lowest ebb, its port and heavy industry decimated by world recession. But, over the last twenty years it has dragged itself out of the doldrums and emerged as arguably Scotland’s most lively city.

The real turning point was winning the European City of Culture Award in 1990, and the new sense of optimism that this brought still survives among Glaswegians today.

A Rich Architectural Legacy
The boom years of the 19th Century, when Glasgow was rightly known as the second city of the empire, have left a rich architectural legacy. The towering City Chambers in George Square are a perfect example of the grandiose taste of the Victorians, and the work of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thompson, inspired by the buildings of Greece and Egypt, add an exotic touch to the cityscape.

Probably the biggest name in Scottish architecture is Charles Rennie Macintosh, and it is worth booking a tour of his masterpiece, the Glasgow Art School (details can be found at www.gsa.ac.uk), followed by a bite to eat in the Mackintosh designed Willow Tearooms in Argyle Street.

Scotland’s Shopping Mecca
It may have lost out on Harvey Nichols (which recently opened its Scottish branch in Edinburgh), but Glasgow is without doubt Scotland’s shopping Mecca. The Glaswegians have always had a taste for designer labels, and the city offers the dedicated fashion victim a range of top name stores including Versace and Armani. The Cruise chain of stores (180 and 223 Ingram Street) offers clothes for boys and girls, including everything from Vivienne Westwood to Stone Island.

Princes Square, a once derelict Victorian square which was lovingly restored and roofed over in the 80s, is now a suitably stylish home to a selection of classy shops, bars and restaurants.

The Unofficial Gay Village
As well as their sense of style, the locals are world renowned for their love of a good night out and Glasgow nightlife beats the more restrained Edinburgh scene hands down.

The Waterloo bar at 306 Argyle Street is a staunchly traditional gay pub and is always busy with an after-work crowd during the week. Only a few minutes walk away is the trendy Merchant City area which has emerged as an unofficial gay village. Among the handful of gay bars are The Merchant Pride, at 20 Candleriggs, which offers various entertainment most nights, while Delmonicas is a café by day and packed bar by night.

The oldest gay club in the town is Bennets (Glassford Street, www.bennets.co.uk), open every night but with a mixed student night on a Tuesday. Recently renovated it now spreads over two floors and offers a predictable selection of pop and commercial dance.

The Polo Lounge (84 Wilson Street, www.pololounge.co.uk) is a much more luxurious affair – the first of its two ground floor bars is decorated with antique furniture and massive chandeliers, while the other is a sleek example of pared down minimalism. At eleven o’clock the large basement dance-floor opens its doors, providing fun and frolics into the wee small hours.

The newest kid on the block is The Brunswick (106-108 Brunswick Street, www.brunswickhotel.co.uk), part of one of Glasgow’s cutest boutique boltholes. Stylish, friendly and fun it’s the ideal place have a bite to eat, pop in for a coffee or to start your night out. 

Queer Arts
Every November the city plays host to Britain’s biggest gay arts festival, ‘Glasgay!’ (read our top tips of the 2007 festival and visit www.glasgay.com). More information on this and all aspects of gay life in Glasgow can be found at the LGBT Centre at 11 Dixon Street, open Monday to Sunday 11am.-12 midnight (www.glgbt.org.uk).

A Green Oasis Get Away
If the frenetic pace of the city centre proves too much, the West End offers a green oasis only a few minutes away on the city’s tiny metro system (affectionately know as the clockwork orange). The small but pretty botanical gardens house some impressive Victorian greenhouses, and the nearby Kelvingrove Park offers wonderful views of the university’s gothic spires.

Kelvingrove Museum is currently closed for renovation, but check its website at www.glasgowmuseums.com for details of a temporary exhibitions as well as listings for the many other galleries and museums in the city.

Whether you are looking for culture, shopping, good food, or just a fun night on the town, the sheer variety of entertainment available mixed with the warm welcome from the locals mean that Glasgow truly is ‘smiles better’!

Find out all the latest gay travel information by buying the 2007 Spartacus International Gay Guide. Get it online and save some money to put towards the other Bruno Gmunder guides - Hotel and Restaurant Guide and Sauna Guide.