11 things you might not know about Glasgow

1. Our subway system is one of the oldest in the world 

The third oldest to be exact. Nicknamed the 'Clockwork Orange', Glasgow's subway opened on December 14, 1896 and is the third oldest in the world after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro. This makes the subway 122 years old!

2. The city established one of the first police forces in the world

The City of Glasgow Police was established on September 29, 1800. It served Glasgow from 1800 to 1975 when it was amalgamated into Strathclyde Police. It is often described as the first modern-style municipal police force, although officers also fought fires, called the hours and swept the streets. The police museum in Bell Street in the Merchant City proudly tells tourists visiting the city about that history and is a fascinating visit for local Glaswegians wanting to know more about Glasgow. 

3. Did you know there was a prison on Duke Street?

Duke Street Prison, also known as Bridewell, operated in the city housing notorious murderers and women from Scotland's own suffragette movement. It was demolished in 1958 to make way for the Ladywell housing scheme but some of the boundary wall can be seen close to Drygate. A total of 12 judicial executions by hanging took place at the prison between 1902 and 1928. All those executed had been convicted of the crime of murder. The list of executed criminals includes the last woman to be executed in Scotland, Susan Newell, who was at the time the first in over 50 years to be hanged after being convicted of strangling a paper boy.

4. Tallest cinema in the world 

Cineworld in Renfrew Street holds the record of being the tallest cinema in the world at 203 feet. It has 18 screens over six levels and can accommodate more than 4,300 people. The cinema was built on the site of The Glasgow Apollo which closed in 1985.

5. There was once a giant rollercoaster in the heart of the city

The Coca Cola roller coaster was one of the many attractions at the Glasgow Garden Festival which took place in 1988. The site in Govan attracted 4.3 million visitors in over 152 days. The event was opened by Princes Charles and Princess Diana. 

6. Aye the Barras are better

The city's famous street and indoor weekend market The Barras is based in the Calton area of the city. But did you know the term Barra is Glaswegian dialect for barrow which relates to the market's early years where traders sold their wares from handcarts. 

7. Abba gave us a menchy 

Have you ever properly listened to the lyrics of Abba's Super Trouper? The first verse goes, "I was sick and tired of everything when I called you last night from Glasgow." Rumour has it the band were given the idea by a producer. We wish there was something more exciting behind those lyrics but apparently it was shoehorned in to rhyme with 'show'. 

8. Argyle Street 

It is the longest street by distance in the city centre running 2.1 miles (3.4km). It runs from the city centre before it is cut off by the M8 motorway at Anderston although the route then continues to the West End where it eventually becomes Dumbarton Road. 

9. It wasn't always People Make Glasgow 

The People Make Glasgow marketing campaign is the one that most associate with the city. But in the 1980s, Mr Happy spearheaded a campaign which proclaimed Glasgow's Miles Better. The campaign was also adapted to other slogans including Glasgow Smiles Better. 

10. The SECC used to have a nickname 

The SECC, which is now known as the SEC, was the place for concerts and other events before the SSE Hydro was built. Did you know, however, it earned the nickname of "The Big Red Shed". The nickname, however, became redundant when the main building was painted grey in 1997. 

11.Paddy's Market

The city had a market which existed in a variety of locations for almost 200 years. The market's name originated from the large numbers of Irish immigrants who came to Scotland in the early 19th century. The market was eventually closed by Glasgow City Council on May 15, 2009.