Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and the seventh most populous city in the United Kingdom. It is located on Scotland's west coast and lies on the banks of the River Clyde. Glasgow grew as a trading port at the height of British industrialisation, and its urban centre now lies among one of Europe's largest areas consisting of Victorian and Edwardian buildings. The city hosted the 2014 Commonwealth Games making it Scotland’s biggest city to host such an event.

Glasgow was well known for its industrial prowess before turning towards finance and trade after the Second World War started an industrial decline. After the war, Glasgow emerged as a major city, with growing higher education and welfare sectors. Despite the many great buildings of this period in historic areas such as the Merchant City and Anderston, there are still vast numbers of post-war housing schemes found throughout the area that have failed to live up to their promise of making Glasgow a more thriving city throughout its suburbs.

The history of Glasgow is often described as one of the most glorious and successful in the world and has included inventions and discoveries that changed life and helped secure it as a major trading port and tourist destination.