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Founding Director, Martin Anderson shares travel tips and recommendations on must-visit spots in his hometown of Glasgow, ahead of the city hosting ISPOR 2025.
This November, ISPOR Europe takes place in my beloved hometown of Glasgow. And whilst I have now lived in Manchester for the past 27 years, Glasgow remains close to my heart. Many of my family and friends still live in and around the city, so I’m still connected enough through frequent visits to give you the low down and to help you get the most out of your forthcoming visit to the ‘dear green place’.
Glasgow comes from the Gaelic “Glaschu”, which is usually translated as “dear green place.” It’s thought to refer to the fertile, green landscape around the River Clyde back when the settlement was first taking shape in the 6th Century around St. Mungo’s Church (now Glasgow Cathedral). Despite Glasgow’s industrial reputation, the city today ranks very highly among European cities for the amount of green space per head of population, with over 90 parks and gardens to choose from!
Between now and November, I’ll be sharing 8 bite-sized pieces to help you get the most out of the city (and maybe avoid a few cultural pitfalls).
The guide will cover the following topics;
1 A brief history of Glasgow
2 Where to eat & drink (from Michelin to pakora)
3 Must-see attractions & culture
4 The people: warmth, humour, and chat
5 Glaswegian language 101 (a survival dictionary)
6 Football (soccer) in Glasgow: Celtic v Rangers explained
7 A great place to shop!
8 Survival tips (weather, Irn-Bru, what not to say)
Hopefully it’ll give you a flavour of what makes Glasgow unique, and help you experience more than just the inside of the conference centre. I am looking forward to seeing you all at ISPOR!
A guide to Glasgow ahead of ISPOR 2025
1. A wee bit of history
As I look forward to attending ISPOR in my hometown, here is the first in an 8-part series to help you make the most of your visit to our friendly city.
Glasgow doesn’t stand still. For 1,500 years it’s grown from a riverside settlement into one of the great industrial cities. Today it thrives as a centre for culture, education, sport and science.
The name Glasgow comes from the Brittonic ‘Glaschu’, translated as ‘dear green place’. Despite its industrial reputation, the city has more than 90 parks and gardens that live up to the name.
From Saint to City
It begins in the 6th century when St Mungo (our patron saint) founded a church by the Molendinar Burn. Supported by King Hael of Strathclyde, this modest site became the seed of the city.
Mungo’s miracles: ‘the bird, the tree, the bell and the fish’ appear on our coat of arms. His resting place beneath Glasgow Cathedral made it a site of pilgrimage and the focal point for the town that grew around it.
By the 12th century, the Cathedral had been consecrated, the town granted trading rights, and its story as a religious and commercial hub began.
Glasgow Through the Ages
– 6th century: St Mungo builds his church
– 7th to 9th centuries: Part of the Kingdom of Strathclyde; survives Viking raids
– 10th century: Strathclyde absorbed into Scotland
– 12th century: Cathedral consecrated; town gains trading rights
– 15th century: University of Glasgow founded (1451)
– 18th century: The “Tobacco Lords” make fortunes trading with the Americas
– 19th century: Industrial Revolution brings shipyards, engineering and textiles. Glasgow called the Second City of the Empire after London
– 20th century: Industry declines; culture rises. Garden Festival (1988) and European City of Culture (1990) mark a rebirth
– 21st century: On the global stage again with the Commonwealth Games (2014), COP26 (2021), and now ISPOR 2025
What Glasgow is Famous For?
Inventions and discoveries: Television (John Logie Baird), the steam engine (James Watt), ultrasound, Lord Kelvin’s thermodynamics
Historic firsts: World’s first international football match (1872), Britain’s first police force (1800), UNESCO’s first City of Music (2008)
Culture and heritage: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (where Oasis were discovered), Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architecture, and a music scene that never stops
Shipbuilding: At its peak, one fifth of the world’s ships were built on the Clyde
The Dear Green Place Today
Glasgow is a city of reinvention, resilience and green space. From saints to shipyards, steam engines to Simple Minds, it has always been relevant, creative and cheeky.
When you arrive in November, remember you are not just visiting a conference city. You are stepping into 1,500 years of history. Best enjoyed with a wander, a chat with locals, and a wee dram!
2. Where to eat and drink
Glasgow’s culinary scene is built on bold influences and local pride. Italians brought trattorias, pizzerias and gelato; Indian and Pakistani communities turned parts of the city into curry strongholds. Now Glasgow is pushing forward with young chefs fusing global flavours with Scottish produce, vibrant cocktail culture and fusion cuisine.
Whether you want Michelin polish, sushi, or just a burger and whisky – Glasgow will deliver.
Fine dining
Cail Bruich https://www.cailbruich.co.uk/
Unalome by Graeme Cheevers https://www.unalomebygc.com/
Local institutions
Mother India https://www.motherindia.co.uk/mother-india/
The Ubiquitous Chip https://ubiquitouschip.co.uk/
Sarti https://www.sarti.co.uk/
Scottish & Highland restaurants
Ardnamurchan https://ardnamurchan.biz/
Ox and Finch https://oxandfinch.com/
The Gannet https://www.thegannetgla.com/
Gamba https://www.gamba.co.uk/
Casual favourites
Paesano Pizza https://www.paesanopizza.co.uk/
Tantrum Doughnuts https://tantrumdoughnuts.com/
Lebowskis https://www.lebowskis.co.uk/
Fusion & international picks
Ka Pao https://ka-pao.com/
Pickled Ginger https://pickledgingerfinnieston.co.uk/
Pubs & bars
The Pot Still https://thepotstill.co.uk/
The Horseshoe Bar https://www.horseshoebar.co.uk/
Kelvingrove Café https://www.kelvingrovecafe.com/
Curry & pakora options
Mother India’s Café https://www.motherindia.co.uk/restaurant/mother-indias-cafe/
Shish Mahal https://www.shishmahal.co.uk/
Ranjit’s Kitchen https://www.ranjitskitchen.com/
The Dhabba https://www.thedhabba.com/
Murphy’s Pakora Bar https://murphyspakorabar.co.uk/
The dear green place after dark
Glasgow is a city that loves its food. From pasta to pakora, sushi to seafood, it borrows from everywhere and makes it its own. Whatever your appetite, you’ll find something memorable – and you probably won’t leave hungry.
Check back next week for the third installment in my guide to Glasgow: Glasgow’s Attractions and Culture — from Mackintosh to museums, and why Kelvingrove is a must-see.
Martin Anderson
Founding Director
Expertise:
Market Access, HEOR & RWE
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