Publisher's Synopsis
Six-part BBC TV Scotland series to be presented by Kirsty Wark beginning February 1999 Last century, Glasgow's industrial might rightly earned it the title "Second City of the Empire". It became the world's second-biggest producer of railway locomotives and the world's greatest ship-building centre. Although nearly all this industry is now lost, the Victorians left their mark as they celebrated their success with wonderful buildings: municipal offices, art galleries, churches, warehouses and fine houses were all built with justified pride. Architects thrived on the commissions and the city nurtured the talents of the likes of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Alexander "Greek" Thomson.
Much has been written recently about the renaissance of Glasgow and its emergence as a post-industrial city. Whatever these phrases mean, it is undoubted that the city has been developing a new role as an important tourist destination. The success of the National Garden Festival in 1988 was followed by the city's reign as the European City of Culture in 1990 and this has been topped by Glasgow winning the title of UK City of Architecture and Design 1999.
