THE countdown has begun to the re-opening of a unique Scottish visitor attraction.
Glasgow Science Centre has announced that Glasgow Tower will reopen to the public from Saturday July 19 2014.
The Glasgow Tower is the only structure on earth capable of rotating 360 degrees into the prevailing wind and holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest, fully-rotating freestanding structure in the world.
At 127 meters high, the equivalent of over 30 double-decker buses, the Glasgow Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in Scotland.
More than £1.8 million has been invested through Glasgow Science Centre and its supporting partners, including Scottish Enterprise, in refurbishing the iconic Tower.
Independent experts familiar with the structure and its operation have been working with the Glasgow Science Centre to rectify longstanding issues, which sees the introduction of new lifts and the refurbishment of the main thrust bearing.
New additions to the Tower include a new interactive visitor experience area both at its base and also new technology in the viewing cabin which, at a height of 105 metres, offers stunning 20-mile views of the city and surrounds.
New visitor experiences provide guests with the opportunity to learn about the history of Glasgow and the site on which the Tower is built.
Using archive images, visitors walk through a timeline tunnel that highlights key events in the city over the past 100 years before reaching a five-metre long map of the Clyde which boasts historic images and footage of how the local area has changed over the years.
Also at the base, visitors will be treated to images of the striking views they can expect from the top of the Tower.
When visitors reach the top of Glasgow Tower they will be able to see out over 20 miles (on a clear day) across Glasgow, the Clyde and the landscapes beyond.
They can also explore a virtual panoramic view on iPads using new GAR (Geo-located Augmented Reality) technology to see all 360 degrees around the viewing platform and zoom into over a dozen places of interest, accessing contemporary and archive images, whilst keeping their feet firmly in the viewing cabin.
Dr Stephen Breslin, chief executive of the Glasgow Science Centre, said: “We are excited to return Glasgow Tower back to the city this summer. It is an iconic landmark along the River Clyde and a world-class feat of engineering.
“We have been working on bringing the Tower back into operation for some time now and we are pleased that it will be open for visitors from both at home and abroad to enjoy this summer.
“There has been a significant investment in the refurbishments and the visitor experience to ensure Glasgow Tower is a must-visit location for Glaswegians, Scots and international visitors alike.”
Liz Buchanan, regional partnerships director at VisitScotland, said: “It’s wonderful news that the Glasgow Tower will once again open to the public, especially as Glasgow prepares to welcome over a million visitors for the Commonwealth Games.
“With a wide range of Homecoming 2014 events taking place in Glasgow such as Who Do You Think You Are? Live alongside the Commonwealth Games, the 2014 MTV EMAs and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Glasgow has the chance to shine like never before. As Scotland welcomes the world this year, we can’t wait to showcase Scotland’s tourism icons, world-class events prowess and renowned Scottish hospitality both in Glasgow and right across Scotland.”
Bailie Liz Cameron, executive member for Jobs and the Economy at Glasgow City Council, added: “This is a great day for Glasgow as we mark the reopening of the Glasgow Tower, a fantastic building on the banks of the Clyde.
“The remarkable technology and engineering behind this extraordinary structure continues the great tradition of these fields in Glasgow.
“I am certain the Glasgow Tower will prove to be a great attraction for both the people of the city and our visitors.”
Glass fronted elevators take visitors to the viewing cabins at the top of the Glasgow Tower in just over two minutes.
The entire Glasgow Tower visitor experience costs only £4.95 per person. It is expected that the Tower will be extremely popular this summer, as such, time slots are allocated and visitors are urged to book tickets now by visiting the Science Centre in person, or by phone on 0141 420 5000.
The Glasgow Tower, which will remain open for the rest of Glasgow Science Centre’s summer season before closing on 2nd November for the winter, is playing an active part in the celebrations this summer and there will be some dates during the Games when public access will be limited.
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Contact: Grant Thomson
