Riverside Museum

The Riverside Museum in Glasgow is a major transport museum that opened in June 2011 in a purpose-built building. It sits in the Partick district, where the River Kelvin flows into the Clyde, and is part of the Glasgow Harbour regeneration project. The striking building was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, while the interior design and exhibition concepts were developed by the London firm Event Communications. The museum replaced the former Glasgow Museum of Transport, which had existed since 1964 and was previously housed at several locations, including Kelvin Hall. The new site not only provides space for a comprehensive collection but also allows large ships such as the Glenlee to dock right at the museum.

You'll find a wide-ranging presentation of transport history, from historic horse-drawn carts to modern vehicles. One highlight is the collection of Scottish-built cars and trucks, including early models from manufacturers such as Argyll, Arrol-Johnston, and Albion, as well as later vehicles from the Rootes Group. The world's oldest surviving pedal cycle is also on display. A special focus is placed on the development of public transportation in Glasgow. Exhibits include historic streetcars, trolleybuses, and a reconstructed 1930s subway station that recreates the cityscape of that era. The museum also houses a steam locomotive built by the North British Locomotive Company.

Another key area is the Clyde Room, which displays around 250 ship models. These models illustrate the historic importance of the River Clyde for maritime trade and the Royal Navy and include famous ships such as the Queen Mary and the QE2. The museum has earned a high standing through its international outlook and the quality of its exhibits, as underscored by its receipt of the European Museum of the Year Award in 2013. Since 2024, the Govan-Partick Bridge has also connected the site with the opposite bank, giving pedestrians and cyclists a direct link.