Confession time: I am a nerd. A legal nerd, to be specific. When I first moved to Glasgow and had…read morelots of free time (read: no job) I actually went to the High Court for a day to watch a trial. Because my life is just that exciting. More recently I was nearby to the High Court and needed the loo. I am pleased to say the staff here were really nice and accommodating and happily let me into the building. You need to go through security and they'll have a nosey through your bag. The building then has a main reception desk which is where you can go up to look at the court lists of the day (hint: don't ask reception to tell you which cases are the most juicy as they'll judge you severely). If you're in to observe proceedings, they follow very strict rules and guidelines. You can't eat, drink or use your phone in the courtroom so don't even think about looking at it. Stand up when the Judge enters and leaves the room, and some people chose to bow to the bench as a mark of respect. Going to court is never going to be exciting like it is on TV, but if you have any interest in the law I'd highly recommend going along to see the law in action. /Geek out ends.

Without wishing to sound *too* dodgy I have spent a silly amount of time hanging, wandering and…read morewaiting about in both the Sheriff and High Courts of Glasgow. Without a doubt the Glasgow High Court is the more glamorous and sexier of the two. Not only is it architecturally better looking but it is where, should you have the great (mis)fortune to be cited for Jury Duty, all the juicy/more interesting cases/trials are dealt with. Handily situated just slightly on the outskirts of town it is a bit easier to get to than the Sheriff Court also, being a bit closer to train/subway stations. To get to the High Court I find the best way is down King Street, heading away from town, past Mono/Mr.Ben and then to the left slightly, across the road, along Mart Street & you will soon happen upon the court. Should you need a drink to calm you doon after the trial then I can suggest Mono or The 13th Note for refreshing your TOTALLY INNOCENT thirst. Phew. Upon entrance to the High Court please be wary of donning your best heavy studded belt/dog collar or metal codpiece as, much like an airport/the O2 Academy/American High Schools, there is a walk-through metal detector & security guard on hand should you feel frisky, I mean, need to be frisked. The security guard also doubles as an Agent of the Info so they'll check your citation & direct you to what is essentially yet more Agents of the Info at the Reception desk. Here they stamp your citation & give you directions to your fate, I mean court room. Upon my last visit I was in a far far away court room (I almost half expected it to be named Narnia) & I managed to get successfully lost until I encountered more Agents of the Info who showed me my path to freedom/the court room. Please refrain from asking people that aren't AOTI for directions but are actually just VERY SMARTLY DRESSED FOLK/NON-AGENTS looking a bit sober/conservative as I did, this only causes to not only frustrate them but slightly embarrass yourself. There are plentiful (legal) toilets to be found within this court. There is however no jukebox or popcorn counter. There is possibly, if you're lucky, a vending machine somewhere for hot/cold beverages but I didn't happen across one here as I have in the Sheriff Court. The room we sat in for what felt like a small eternity only had a water machine. The court room I was in last visit was apparently the oldest one in the building being nearly 132 years old. It looked very grand indeed, although I guess if you're standing on trial being accused of something naughty the last thing you're going to appreciate is the historical architecture and ye olde cornicings of this said ancient court room. However me being of innocent standing I did do a mini 'Ooh!' in my head as I walked in. If you're a fan of funny wigs, pomp & ceremony, waiting around, wood, Law & Order, A Few Good Men or just the whole fascinating process that is the Scottish law proceedings then this is the place for you. I just hope you're only ever here in the bestest way possible and not because you are a rum'un (as my Mum would say).

This is easy enough to find just outside the shopping centre, accross from the post office. I have…read moreseen them out talking to the public when they hold fund raising events. They support a large area of the town and i think if i am correct they support some of the local villages and towns between East Kilbride and Strathaven.

Located just outside of the town centre in East Kilbride. The fire service is vital to a large town…read moresuch a East Kilbride. They have annual car washes and plant sales to raise money. They have recently started a house fire awareness check and if needed they will fit fire alarms for free in your home.

This is a very striking medieval landmark which you'll find at Glasgow…read moreCross on the east side of the Merchant City area. It is actually all that remains of a larger building which comprised a debtors' prison, the town clerk's office and the council hall. It was built in 1636 and stands 7 storeys and 126 feet high, being an extremely prominent landmark within the city. This area was, at one time, the centre of Glasgow (now considered to be George Square owing to the first railroad terminus being built at Queen Street). On the steeple you'll see some of the oldest sculpture to be found in Glasgow, including a shield which portrays the city's coat of arms. It has recently been renovated and repaired at a cost of £200,000, and I think it looks quite beautiful! I know that, at one time, it was possible for tourists to view the interior (and views from the top!) but I can't find out if it's allowed today. Perhaps someone will tell me, or I'll ask at a tourist information centre.

This is Glasgow's "Arc de Triomphe". Large structure that sets off the western entrance to the…read moreGreen. Great way to enter Glasgow Green. Very historic. Originally part of the 1700s assembly rooms a place for dances, music, etc.

This impressive arch was once part of the 18th Century Assembly Rooms in Ingram Street, which was a…read moreplace for cultural events such as dances, music and other entertainment. Later, it was a club called The Atheneum, which unfortunately was pulled down in 1892 to make way for a new post office. However, this arch was preserved and relocated, first to Monteith Row (at the expense of James McLennan, at one time the Lord Provost of Glasgow), then to a north entrance of Glasgow Green in 1922. At last, owing to subsidence, the Arch was moved to the west side of the Green in 1991. I admired it on a recent trip to Glasgow; although I've visited Glasgow Green before I don't think I'd ever approached from the Saltmarket side. It is certainly a striking sight!

What a hidden gem! It is a beautiful building inside. Can't imagine what it must have been/smelled…read morelike when it was a fish market. Glasgow CAMRA recently had their beer festival there and it was the perfect space for it. Think it is mainly used as an artist space which is good but then most people will not see the building, which is a shame. Would be good to see some cafés or bars opening up so more people can use and see the building.

This is an amazing spot... no doubt about it. The only issue I have is that the central space is…read morekinda sitting dormant, when it could well be utilized in a number of ways. The building is pretty stunning and the addition of artist work spaces is welcome. Maybe when the work has been carried out on the roof (when it rains outside, it rains inside), they'll start to utilize the space a little more. Fingers crossed, as its a wonderful spot.

Built in 1833 to replace the previous structure in which Sir William Wallace is said to have been…read moreimprisoned for setting fire to a barn with 500 English soldiers inside. This is a Neo-Gothic clock tower, 113 ft high, with a statue of William Wallace carved in the facade. Interesting to visit and in the High Street so easily accessible.

Bell's bridge is a foot bridge that crosses the river Clyde. originally built in 1980's to coincide…read morewith the Glasgow garden Garden festival. This bridge allowed people to cross to the SECC that was on the other side of the river. It is named for the whisky company, who sponsored its construction. Just now the bridge is being renovated at a cost of £1.6million.

Did you know Glasgow is home to the world's longest pedestrian swing bridge? Well you do now…read more The admittedly-underwhelming title belongs to the cracking Bell's Bridge, the 80s structure which has been somewhat over-shadowed by younger brothers, Millennium and Squinty, which lie within close proximity. Originally built in 1988 to allow easier access across the Clyde from the SECC to the Garden Festival, Bells (named after the whisky, its original sponsor) has found a new lease of life after lying dormant for several years. This is primarily through the progress of the Pacific Quay project, although it is also used by many cyclists and pedestrians looking for a short cut between the west and south of the city. It's an important structure for Glasgow, not least because it serves as a reminder of a time of real transition and optimism within the city. For that reason alone, I enjoy visiting here. Take note, however, that is not the safest area at night and is probably best visiting during the day.

It's not the prettiest of the bridges over the Kelvin, but it does have some interesting history…read moreassociated with it. Partick was until comparatively recent times a separate borough to the city of Glasgow, and the Kelvin marked the border between the two. The Bishops of Glasgow had a residence in Partick, the Bishop's Castle, where they could keep an eye on their business ventures, in particular the Bishop's Mill, one of the larger grain mills taking its power from the River Kelvin. You can still see one of the buildings associated with the Bishop's Mill on the bend of the river as you look south from the bridge, although it is now converted into yuppie apartments. The original Partick Bridge used to be there, where it replaced a ford of large stepping stones in 1577. Although demolished in 1896, it was replaced by the Benalder Street bridge. The present Partick Bridge was opened in 1878 and comprises a single cast-iron arch, with a side channel to cope with flash floods; and since it marked the boundary between the two, it appropriately bears the arms of Glasgow and Partick on the spandrels at each end. This is one of the very few places where you will see the arms of Partick these days. Whilst looking over the south side of the bridge, notice the huge pipe on its own latticework girder bridge carried between sandstone mushrooms. This is a main sewer, which runs into the pumping building on the west side of the bridge, where two major sewers combine and are pumped into a gravity-fed pipe to run to the treatment works in Dalmuir. The building, opened in 1904, is B-listed and until the recent upgrade of the pumps by Scottish Water in 2013, you could frequently tell its use by the smell emanating from it when the wind was from the south (known as the 'Partick Pong'). Crossing to the north side of the bridge, you can see a stone-arched bridge covered in ivy and set at an angle to the main road. This is popularly known as the 'snow bridge', and it marks the original line of Dumbarton Road before the present bridge was constructed. If you look at the railings in the centre of the bridge, you can see a set of gates. In winter, carts full of snow cleared from the streets would eject their load through the gates into the river below - hence the name 'snow bridge'. It's now used for pedestrians only, and if you look north past the bridge you get a fine view of the University and the mock-Tudor 'Sunlight Cottages' - remnants of the 1901 Great Exhibition, these were modelled after Lord Leverhulme's worker's village at Port Sunlight and were presented to the City after the exhibition.

A somewhat unassuming bridge to drive over, this is much better as a walking bridge so you can take…read morein the views over the River Kelvin. Located right near Kelvingrove Museum, you should definitely talk a walk down this way once you've done wandering around the museum towards Byres Road. Looking north you can see the River Kelvin and the old transport museum (along the side of Kelvinhall). Looking south and up you can see the majesty of Glasgow University towering above you. Take a walk and enjoy the views.