Scotland with style

1:43pm Saturday 26th April 2008

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FORGET the Glasgow kiss', Scotland's largest city has become synonymous with head-turning rather than head-butting in recent years.

Since being named European City of Culture in 1990, Glasgow has emerged from the economic doldrums of the 1980s.

In 2004, it was branded "Glasgow: Scotland with style" and the title is as well-deserved as a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties after a long afternoon of shopping in Prince's Square.

That was my reward at 78 St Vincent, a charming, French bistro-style restaurant with a tasty, modern interpretation on traditional Scottish dishes, an affordable, three-course pre-theatre menu and an impressive wine list.

After the credit card has taken a bashing and a swift pint of strong Czech lager has been downed at the trendy All Bar One across the road, the cosy eaterie provides an ideal venue to unwind and enjoy the excellent service. The staff will even hail a cab for you when you are ready to move on.

Shopping and nightlife have emerged as two of Glasgow's leading attractions, with 2.8 million tourists now visiting every year.

Buchanan Street has been named as the finest shopping street in Britain by the Academy of Urbanism, defeating the world-famous Regent Street in London.

When the shops close, the options for evening entertainment is wide-ranging.

Sauchiehall Street is home for some of the UK's coolest bars and nightclubs while the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet all offer a refined alternative.

The iconic SECC (Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre), sitting on the bank of the River Clyde, has also emerged as a leading venue for concerts and comedians and is currently the home for touring West End show Mamma Mia, which moves on from Glasgow tomorrow.

The hugely-popular musical comedy, based on the songs of Abba and telling the story of a 20-year-old girl who invites the three men she has discovered could be her father to her wedding, is unashamed good fun. It boasts a cast of characters that have more depth than the average musical, making it easy to appreciate why Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep have agreed to take roles in the film adaptation, which will be released this year.

Women outnumbered men at the Friday show we attended, but members of both sexes, young and old, cast aside their inhibitions and were on their feet dancing during the spectacular finalé.

Only the sniffiest of music critics would refuse to confess Abba aren't a secret guilty pleasure and anybody who hasn't enjoyed taking to the floor for Dancing Queen at a family wedding needs to take themselves less seriously.

Aside from Mamma Mia, the SECC will cater for most tastes this year with Westlife, Boyzone, Girls Aloud, Simple Minds, Status Quo, Bryan Adams, James Blunt, Steve Coogan and Kylie and Jason all paying a visit.

Alternatively, the greatest football derby in the world - Rangers v Celtic - would offer a worthy centrepiece to any weekend break.

The ABode Hotel in Bath Street is also an excellent choice. Formerly a Department of Education office, it has been tastefully modernised while retaining many original features, including an old-fashioned cage lift.

We stayed in an "envious" room, which included a floor-to-wall stained-glass window and probably the largest curtains you will ever draw.

The hotel's resident restaurant, Michael Caines, meanwhile, serves up the two-star Michelin chef's award-winning cuisine and the adjacent, groovy BarMC, boasts a wide range of cocktails with a late-night licence.

No trip to the ABode would be complete without sampling its traditional Scottish breakfast.

With haggis, square sausage, bacon and black pudding all on the same dish, it would fill the stomach of a hungry, highland caber tosser.

Unlike London, where a Cockney accent and a plate of pie and mash are about as rare as an unfilled, underground seat, laid-back Glasgow has embraced tourism without compromising its history and identity.

Go and see for yourself.

Fact file

Dave and his wife Nikki stayed at the ABode Hotel, 129 Bath Street, Glasgow. Reservations: 0141 221 6789.

They dined at 78 St Vincent, Glasgow, G2 5GB. Reservations: 0141 248 7878.

For details of future events at the SECC visit www.secc.co.uk and train travel information is available on www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk