Glorious GLASGOW

With its 850th birthday celebrations in full swing, it's a great time to visit this historic city

- IAN PACKHAM

Scotland's most populated city, Glasgow has come a long way since 1175, when it was a small settlement in the shadow of a shrine dedicated to St Mungo. With a year-long programme of 850th birthday events (glasgow850. com), it has all the ingredients for a memorable city break.

Ancient beginnings

Dating from the 13th century, Glasgow cathedral is the city's oldest building. It's thought to have been built on the original site of St Mungo's church and you can still see the saint's tomb in the lower church. In contrast, a short stroll away is George Square, the city's modern heart. It's guarded on its eastern side by the magnificent City Chambers, an imposing Victorian building that reflects the city's historic wealth (free guided tours run twice daily, book at glasgow.gov.uk). The Square is a popular place for picnics and dining out in one of the restaurants. Here, you'll find a statue honouring William Gladstone.

The statue of the Duke of Wellington in Royal Exchange Square is almost as famous, however, for the jaunty orange — and often removed - traffic cone on the Duke's head.