Glasgow's history is defined by its dramatic transformation from Scotland's largest industrial powerhouse into a vibrant hub of culture and modern living. Built on the prosperity of trade and shipbuilding along the River Clyde, the city was once famed as the "Second City of the Empire." While heavy industry declined in the latter half of the 20th century, Glasgow reinvented itself as a major European cultural centre. Today, its culture is rooted in a proud working-class heritage, world-renowned music scene (it is a UNESCO City of Music), magnificent Victorian architecture, and a strong identity as a city of art and design.

A cornerstone of Glaswegian life is its passionate football culture, which is an integral part of its social fabric. The city is home to two of the world's most famous and fiercely rivalrous clubs, Celtic and Rangers—known collectively as the "Old Firm"—whose matches are a defining feature of the local lifestyle and atmosphere.

Glasgow is warm, resilient, and famously friendly, with a bustling nightlife, numerous green spaces, and a strong sense of community that makes life in the city feel both dynamic and down-to-earth.