Why Glasgow? Fun Facts for the Visiting Cytokine Scientist
Cytokines 2026 brings the ICIS annual meeting to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, 18-21 October. Whether this is your first visit to Scotland’s largest city or you’re a returning Glaswegian, here are some things you may not know about your host city.
Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city — not Edinburgh.
Many visitors are surprised to learn that while Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital, Glasgow is the country’s most populous city, home to around 650,000 people and situated on the River Clyde.
The name means ‘The Dear Green Place.’
Glasgow derives from the Gaelic Glaschu, meaning ‘dear green place’ or ‘green hollow’ — fitting for a city with more than 90 parks and gardens. You’ll find the greenery everywhere, from the grounds near the SEC to the famous Kelvingrove Park.
Glasgow is celebrating its 850th anniversary.
The city received its royal charter in the 12th century and is marking 850 years of civic history. Its rich heritage is woven into the architecture and culture throughout the city.
The Glasgow Subway: the third oldest underground railway in the world.
Opened in 1896, the Glasgow Subway — affectionately known as the ‘Clockwork Orange’ for the colour of its carriages — runs a simple 10.5 km circular loop around the city centre. It is one of the easiest ways to get around, and well worth a ride for the novelty alone.
Photo credit: © Glasgow Life / Paul Watt Photography
Hollywood’s favourite stand-in.
Glasgow regularly doubles for New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco in major films, thanks to its distinctive Victorian architecture and grid-like street layout. World War Z, The Batman, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The Flash, and Fast & Furious 6 were all filmed — at least in part — right here.
More marble than the Vatican.
Glasgow City Chambers on George Square contains more marble than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The building features Corinthian marble throughout and an estimated 1.5 million mosaic tiles.
A city of medical firsts.
Glasgow has a proud place in medical history. Joseph Lister pioneered antiseptic surgical technique at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the 1860s, revolutionising surgery worldwide. The world’s first hospital radiology department was also established there in 1896.
Scotland’s national animal is the Unicorn.
Yes. Officially. The unicorn has been a Scottish heraldic symbol since the 12th century, representing purity, power, and independence. You’ll find it throughout Glasgow’s civic imagery. Pick one up as a souvenir; your lab members will be impressed.
Ready to Visit?
Registration for Cytokines 2026 is now open. We hope to see you in Glasgow this October!