Kelvingrove Art Gallery

Overview

Kelvingrove Art Gallery is one of the finest civic collections in Europe and this red sandstone building has become a Glasgow landmark. Here you can explore collections that include everything from fine and decorative arts to archaeology and the natural world. The number of individual items in the natural history department alone is vast. You can admire Sir Roger the Elephant or wonder at 300-million-year-old fossils of marine life from the Glasgow area.

Kelvingrove also houses a vast collection of paintings and artwork from all over Europe, which covers the French impressionists, the Italian Renaissance, famous Dutch Masters and, of course, a Scottish artists area. There is also an area dedicated to Charles Rennie Mackintosh with a few pieces of furniture, stained glass and artwork.

An enjoyable and eclectic combination of history, famous art, interactive displays and unusual exhibits, that cover subjects as diverse as a Spitfire (hung from one of the galleries cielings), Egyptian mummies and a giant spider crab. Great for adults and children alike, but avoid going during the week-end in the summer as it tends to be very busy.

The museum restaurant in the basement is a pleasant calm place to eat, but it's not really a restaurant suitable for young children.