Glasgow Green

Hugging the northern banks of the River Clyde, just south of Argyle Street train station, Glasgow Green is the oldest park in the city. The land was granted to the city by King James II in 1450, and was used by locals for washing linen, activities such as swimming, dry fishing nets and grazing. Over the following centuries, Glasgow Green expanded and developed, and is even said to be the spot where, in 1765, inventor James Watt conceived his revolutionary idea for a separate condenser for the steam engine. The park also boasts several impressive structures, including Nelson’s Monument, People’s Palace, a James Watt statue, St Andrew’s Suspension Bridge and McLennan Arch – the former centrepiece of the Assembly Rooms which were demolished in 1890.