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09/03/2006
Shopping in Glasgow, Scotland
Europe
» United Kingdom
Author: Jan
The City of Glasgow's crest carries a bemusing collection of under-achievers: the bird that never flew, the tree that never grew, the bell that never rang and the fish that never swam. Fortunately, the shop that never sold was in no danger of being included. Consistently polling as 's best and most eclectic shopping city outside London, Glasgow enjoys the added benefit of having almost all its most prestigious shopping areas within easy walking distance of each other. Just don't forget to look above the dapper window displays; many of the stores are located in beautiful examples of the Victorian architecture the city is famous for.
Begin your spree on Ingram Street, an area fast becoming the city's Bond Street. At the Italian Centre (179 Ingram Street, tel: 44 141 552 6368), aptly located beside a pretty piazza that wouldn't be out of place in Milan, you will find the Versace store and designer utopia Cruise. Close by are flagship stores by Ralph Lauren (208 Ingram Street, tel: 44 141 242 6000), Escada (200 Ingram Street, tel: 44 141 248 2456) and a splendid Jigsaw outlet (117 Ingram Street, tel: 44 141 552 7630) in an elaborately ornamented former banking headquarters.
Following Ingram Street away from the city centre takes you towards Kintail (113 Barrack Street, tel: 44 141 553 0902), the place to purchase the quintessentially Scottish pairing of kilt (from GBP320) and bagpipes (from GBP600). It has more than 100 tartans to choose from. While in the East End you might want to visit The Barras Market (Stevenson Street, tel: 44 141 552 4601; week-ends only), a Glasgow :city> institution where you can find anything from rare books and antiques to cheap toys and football memorabilia. Keep a close eye on your bags.
Heading back to the city centre, most of Glasgow's retail jewels can be found on Buchanan Street, a plush pedestrian precinct that rises towards the Royal Concert Hall.
Dominating a large portion of the thoroughfare's first block is Frasers (45 Buchanan Street, tel: 44 870 160 7243), the city's grand old lady of upmarket shopping. Trot up its grandiose staircase to find a cornucopia of labels such as DKNY, Nicole Farhi and Cerruti, as well as designer homeware and one of 's most extensive cosmetics departments. Opposite Frasers, among a slew of modern designer stores, is Argyll Arcade, a link to the city's past. Built almost 180 years ago under an enchanting ornate roof, it plays host to more than 30 jewellery shops selling high-end, made-to-order or antique pieces.
Buchanan Street's bookends are two enormous shopping centres brimful of high-street brands. At the foot of the street tower the pyramid-like glass peaks of the St Enoch Centre (55 St Enoch Square, tel: 44 141 204 3900), while at the other end sits the grand sandstone and glass Buchanan Galleries (220 Buchanan Street, tel: 44 141 333 9898). For anyone seeking a souvenir of 's national drink, among the latter's pristine sloping walkways you will find the Whisky Shop. Alongside a perplexingly broad range of tipples - including the 40-year-old Bowmore, a snip at GBP4,000 a bottle - you can purchase hip-flasks, whisky guides (GBP10 to GBP17) and a quaich, the traditional Scottish cup of friendship, for GBP16 to GBP23.
Finally, head to Princes Square (left; 48 Buchanan Street, tel:44 141 221 0324), undoubtedly Glasgow's most attractive shopping centre. This airy courtyard, which features an enormous pendulum that swings improbably from its glass roof and a giant metal peacock above its entrance, offers four storeys of premier shopping from the likes of cosmetics store Space.NK (lipsticks from GBP12) and master shirt-maker Ted Baker. Even better, it is topped by bar and casual dining spot October, reached by an elegant glass elevator and the perfect place to wind down your day with a cocktail or coffee.
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