Kaleigh Watterson

Glasgow is well-known for intricate and eye-catching street art, so here's a tour of some of the best the city has to offer. Compiled by Time Out blogger @KirstyFwrites.

It's one year since Central Library reopened after its multimillion-pound refurbishment. In that time, more than 1.1 million visitors have been through its doors, it's been granted a wedding licence and even hosted Everything Everything as artists in residence. Take a look at some of the building's stunning features as well as the behind-the-scenes work and the treasures within the library's vaults.

Since Blackjack overtook this place, a formerly quiet and unassuming little pub on the edge of the Northern Quarter has been turned into a bustling and lively bar appealing to craft beer drinkers and beyond. As you’d expect, Blackjack’s own beers dominate the menu but there’s ample guests from across the UK also included: Wild Beer and Tiny Rebel make regular appearances. They’ll also serve beers in every size – from a third up to a pint – which is refreshing change compared to some other bars in the city that insist on schooners only. But the Smithfield isn’t all just focused on the beer – it’s an all-round good old fashioned boozer. The furniture is mismatched, vintage and comfortable and there’s plenty of it about - from intimate couches to large tables for groups. Games have always been a big part of the traditional pub experience and here you’ll find darts, table skittles and a good selection of board games. With the likes of The Crown and Kettle, Bar Fringe and The Angel nearby alongside breweries such as Runaway, Marble and Blackjack themselves, the Smithfield adds to the beer credentials of this area of the city.

The area in the immediate vicinity of Piccadilly Station isn’t known for its drinking establishments but Piccadilly Tap is a game-changer from the operators of London’s Euston Tap. It offers one of the largest draught beer selections in the city. Located in the former leather shop in the ‘Lazy S’ building on Piccadilly Approach, Piccadilly Tap is part of a new breed of outlets breathing life into what has been for so long and underutilised building on one of the city’s main gateways. In the same way the 1960s design of Gateway House isn’t to everyone’s taste, Piccadilly Tap’s retro décor of stone walls, low lighting and dark wooden furniture is definitely divisive and a far cry from the ultra-modern industrial look found in so many bars. But although its design is a talking point, it’s the beer list that really shines here with up to 27 cask and keg options available, along with a fridge of bottles to drink in or take away if you fancy some train beer. Expect to see choices from current darlings of the craft beer world such as Thornbridge, Summer Wine and Beavertown sat next to German pilsners and brews from Manchester micros like Blackjack, Chorlton Brewing Company and Cloudwater on the beer board. Considering its central location and specialised selection, the prices are fair with average cost of a pint between £3.80 and £5. Even if the look won’t please everyone, the extensive beer list is sure to.

A glass-fronted building on the corner of New York Road, ShuffleDog is a fairly new addition to Leeds’ beer scene. A new style of bar for BrewDog, one of the main attractions is the three shuffleboard tables in the basement. It’s similar to bowls, and if you want to give it a go it’s £2 to hire the pucks for 15 minutes for £4 for half an hour – although the former is probably long enough. But it’s not just all fun and games – it has a serious beer selection. A whopping 35 draft beers are available, half of which are BrewDog’s own. Breweries from Yorkshire, Manchester and further afield are represented and if you’re find yourself having difficulty choosing, flights are on offer as are staff recommendations.

Although more and more of the supermarkets are starting to sell decent beer, there’s nothing like a specialist beer shop operated by passionate and knowledgeable staff – and Tall Boys is just that. Located within Thornton Arcade, its shelves are jam-packed with a wide range of UK and international with an almost overwhelming selection. That’s not all, as there’s a fridge full of cans and the option for growler fills on keg. But it’s not just all about taking beer home here. On the first floor, the bright and cosy beer café is made up of simple wooden furniture and can seat about 15 punters in total. Regularly changing exhibitions are also featured on the walls, and there’s food on offer during the day such as breakfasts, sandwiches and salads from the folks at The Grub and Grog Shop.

Set within a listed mill building in the historic industrial Holbeck area, the Northern Monk Refectory is worth the short walk from the city centre. Their own brews join guest beers to make up 20 draft options, and there’s a respectable bottle selection. The décor is kept simple with exposed brickwork and an industrial theme, and if you’re hungry food is on offer from The Grub and Grog Shop so you can make a night of it.

With its long history of bloodthirsty monarchs, grisly grave-robbers and political upheaval, it's no surprise that Edinburgh is regularly named as one of the UK’s most haunted locations. Whether you’re a paranormal enthusiast or a non-believer, try some of these haunts and see if you spot anything that goes bump in the night...The Banshee LabyrinthPartially located within some of the city’s many underground vaults, the Banshee Labyrinth describes itself as Scotland’s most haunted pub. It is reportedly occupied by a banshee – a group of workmen once heard a bloodcurdling scream and a few hours later one of them received a call about the death of a family member. There are also said to be occurrences of drinks flying off tables and smashing into walls.The White Hart Inn, GrassmarketIt’s claimed to be central Edinburgh’s oldest pub (parts of the building date back to 1516) and with almost 500 years of history, it’s no surprise it’s gained some ghostly tales. Stories of shadowy forms, unexplained bangs and slamming doors led to it being named most haunted pub in 2005.Greyfriars KirkyardFirst designated as a graveyard by Mary Queen of Scots in 1562, Greyfriars Kirkyard is the final resting place of a number of notable Edinburgh residents including poets, historians, architects and inventors (not forgetting the famous Greyfriars Bobby). But in recent years it’s gained a reputation for being haunted by a poltergeist, with some visitors leaving with bruises, scratches and cuts. The h

Manchester may be a fantastic place to live but it’s always nice to get away, and luckily our fair city is home to the UK’s third biggest airport offering flights to more than 200 destinations across the globe. Here’s a look at five fantastic places to visit in the winter months - without a connecting flight in sight.IcelandThe land of fire and ice is closer than you might think – it’s only about three and a half hours from Manchester. For a city break visit Iceland’s lively capital Reykjavik with its bustling nightlife, relax and pamper yourself at the world famous Blue Lagoon or explore the island’s unique landscape including ethereal glacial lakes, stunning waterfalls and beaches made entirely of black sand. In the winter months, you'll also likely see the stunning Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in the skies.Manchester-Keflavik, EasyJet and Icelandair.Copenhagen  Culture vultures, foodies, sightseers, cyclists and beer bods are all catered for in the Danish capital. The city’s restaurants hold a whopping 18 Michelin stars; attractions include Tivoli Gardens (said to have inspired a certain Walt Disney) and a plethora of royal palaces; and if you’re feeling parched forget Carlsberg and look to one of the city’s many brewpubs or gypsy brewery Mikkeller, recently named one of the world’s best, for high quality (albeit, pricey) beer.Manchester-Copenhagen, EasyJet and SAS.BudapestStraddling the banks of the Danube, the Hungarian capital features World Heritage sites, a varie

Much more than just residential areas, Prestwich and Whitefield have become destinations in their own right in recent years with the areas becoming the north Manchester counterparts of locations such as Chorlton and Didsbury. With new restaurants, bars, delis and cafés popping up all the time, here’s just five places to make a beeline for in the northern part of Manchester.Slattery Patissier and chocolatier Slattery is, rightly so, an institution. Known for handmade chocolates available in a variety of shapes and sizes and tempting cakes and pastries, Slattery originally started life as bakery in Crumpsall. They are now based in a three floor site which includes a retail store, wedding cake showroom, restaurant, bakery and space for baking classes. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Slattery’s is a must-visit.197 Bury New Road, Whitefield. Roma A small unit as part of a supermarket development may not seem your first choice for authentic Italian food, but Roma pre-dates the non-descript late noughties building its currently housed in. Originally established in 1987 by two families as an Italian deli, the site later added a café which is now a popular lunch spot. Bread and pizza dough are made on site, as are all the rustic pasta and soup dishes on the menu while the deli sells meats, cheeses, a variety of pasta, antipasti and a selection of wine and spirits.268 Bury New Road, Whitefield. Cuckoo A smart and welcoming independent café bar, Cuckoo caters to all – whether you’re pla

The railway arches near Piccadilly Station are already home to a number of breweries, but two more will be joining them shortly. Here’s what you need to know about them – and a look at some of the festive beer events taking place over the coming weeks. Railway arches and brewers seem to go hand in hand these days with many of the new additions to Manchester’s brewing scene choosing them when they’re looking to start up or move to a larger site. The latest brewery to sign for a spot under the railway tracks is led by Paul Mellor and his best friend Andy and will be moving into 66 Temperance Street. Paul previously worked for Titanic Brewery while dabbling in homebrew and has now decided to make the leap into brewing full time.It’s been two years in the making – with the biggest challenge seeming to be choosing a name. Paul says they went through about 500 different names before settling on something simple – Manchester Brewing Co.With the sheer number of breweries operating in the area, it’s a surprise no one has already gone for this name. Paul says he found there was once a Manchester Brewing Co but it closed in 1914, and there is also a brewery with the same name in the US who solely trade and distribute in the area of Manchester, New Hampshire.They’re expecting to be up and running in February and will focus on a core range of five beers along with seasonal specials. The simple brewery name will allow them to be more playful with some of their beer names, Paul says.The ran

It’s nearly the end of another year – and what a year it’s been for beer. With new bars opening their doors and breweries arriving in the city, 2015 was a great year for beer drinkers in Manchester. But there’s much more to come in 2016, so here’s a look at just some of the events already announced to look forward to next year.TryanuaryInstead of a dry January, why not get involved with Tryanuary? The campaign is all about promoting local independent breweries, bars and bottle shops at a time of year that’s traditionally quieter for many in the industry, and encouraging drinkers to try something new. It’ll all kick off on January 1. Manchester Beer and Cider FestivalThe largest CAMRA-organised beer event in Greater Manchester will be bringing more than 500 beers, ciders and perries to its new home at Manchester Central January 20-23. The beer list hasn’t been announced yet (although the sponsors list probably gives some hints), but expect cask and key-keg beers from around the UK and some options from overseas at the international bar. Prestwich Beer FestivalIf you prefer more intimate beer festivals, Prestwich's annual event will again be returning to the village's Longfield Suite February 25-27. Along with the beer, the event has a focus on entertainment and for 2016 they'll be kicking things off with an opening night featuring a live set from none other than Badly Drawn Boy.The launch of Bundobust ManchesterA visit to Bundobust is a must on any trip to Leeds and they’ll be

If you’re a fan of a wee dram of whisky every now and again, a special project taking place next week in Edinburgh might be right up your street – and it’ll involve trying free (yes, free!) samples of whisky.The Project Flavour Behaviour event, which is part of a research experiment being carried out by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society in partnership with Dr Adam Moore from the University of Edinburgh’s Psychology Department, will take place at the Royal College of Surgeons on Wednesday December 16.The organisers are seeking 120 volunteer whisky tasters who will be asked to take a written test about personality traits and then taste some special samples. Even if you’re only a casual whisky drinker, you’re invited to get involved as a previous knowledge of Scotland’s national drink is not required. All you need is an open mind and an adventurous spirit, the organisers say (we're not sure if that 'spirit' pun is intentional). The findings from the event will be analysed by Dr Moore and used as part of the research experiment, of which more details will be revealed in 2016. If this sounds like your kind of science, you can sign up on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society website. Slàinte. Project Flavour Behaviour, Wednesday December 16, 6.30-8.30pm, Royal College of Surgeons, Nicolson Street. Free to sign up. See more things to do in Edinburgh from Time Out.

Beautiful South duo Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott are to hold a special Christmas concert this Saturday in Manchester to support a number of local charities and organisations.Hope for Christmas II will take place at Manchester Academy, and the duo say the event is a way of saying thank you to people and organisations that inspire them by their commitment to change and fighting injustice.The event will support organisations including two Greater Manchester foodbanks, Porch Boxes and Urban Outreach, with gig-goers encouraged to bring along non-perishable items with them on the evening. Co-operative Suma Wholefoods will also be working to distribute products across Greater Manchester with the GMB Union.Other organisations being supported include Hatfield Brigade, a group of former coalminers from Hatfield Main Colliery in South Yorkshire who are campaigning to preserve the mine, mental health charity CALM and Article 26, which helps asylum seekers who are unable to work or claim benefits gain access to higher education.Paul Heaton says the event is all about solidarity with those who cannot meet the rising cost of living. ‘I believe in the concept of solidarity, not charity. Those of us who care and want change will come together in solidarity and in defence of our values and community,’ he says.Tickets for the gig, which also features singer-songwriter Mike Greaves, are on sale now.Hope for Christmas II, Saturday December 12, 7pm, Manchester Academy. Tickets £27.50.

You could soon find yourself swinging from the trees in Heaton Park, under new plans to install an aerial adventure in the park's woodland. The attraction, which would cover a small amount of woodland in the 640 acre north Manchester park, would allow visitors to ‘explore the park in a new way’, according to the council. Manchester City Council says it's in talks with the Forestry Commission about the plans and will be looking for an operator in the coming months.Heaton Park has been the subject of investment in recent years, including the refurbishment of the grade I-listed Heaton Hall, with cash coming from the council’s Clean City Fund.Rosa Battle, Manchester City Council’s executive member for culture and leisure, says the council is keen to develop the park and encourage new visitors. ’One such way is to invite operators of tree-based adventure activities to put forward proposals for Heaton and we look forward to receiving imaginative responses in the coming months,’ she adds.See Time Out’s Heaton Hall picture gallery – including images from inside the building’s derelict west wing.

The world premiere of a resurrected film originally from the 1950s telling the story of the Scottish Highlands will open next year’s Glasgow Short Film Festival. Socialist filmmaking collective Dawn Cine Group started work on ‘Lost Treasure’ in 1956 but, although they shot 40 minutes of footage, the film was never finished and put into storage. Now Glasgow Short Film Festival has commissioned musicians Drew Wright (Wounded Knee) and Hamish Brown (Swimmer One) to work with filmmaker Minttu Mäntynen to rescurrect the film and it will be screened in public for the first time ever on Wednesday March 16 before touring to other venues in Scotland. The musicians will perform a live audio-visual performance responding to the unfinished film and attempt to complete its story, which focuses on the issues causes in the Highlands by absentee landlords. Glasgow Short Film Festival director Matt Lloyd says the Dawn Cine Group were ahead of their time and ‘Lost Treasure’ was to be their biggest project. ‘In revisiting it on the 60th anniversary of its shoot, we’re paying tribute to some of Scotland’s unsung heroes of film in a unique way,’ he adds. Glasgow Short Film Festival, March 16-20 2016. Tickets for ‘Lost Treasure’ on sale from noon December 2. Full line-up to be announced in February. See more film in Glasgow from Time Out.

Prestwich Beer Festival is to return for 2016 and will launch with a special opening night including a set from Badly Drawn Boy.Damon Gough, better known as Badly Drawn Boy, will be performing a set of his chosen favourites from his back catalogue as the finale of the launch night for the festival on Thursday February 25 at Prestwich’s Longfield Suite. The event will be hosted by Prestwich poet Tony Walsh and will also feature sets from singer/songwriter Songs for Walter and comedian John Gordillo. Iconic cartoonist Tony Husband, best-known for his work in Private Eye, will be bringing his Cartoon Confessional Box to the event in-between performances. Guests will be invited to ‘confess their sins’ to him while he draws a cartoon to illustrate them.Attendees will also have the first chance to sample a selection of the beers on offer, alongside wine and gin from the Artisan Gin and Fizz Bar which is a new addition for 2016.Details on the beer list and performers for the remaining dates of the festival will be announced shortly.Prestwich Beer Festival (BeerPrest), February 25-27, Longfield Suite, Prestwich. Tickets for the launch night £12 advance/£15 on the door. See Time Out's guide to Manchester's best pubs.

Paw-some news for cat lovers in Manchester as not one, but two cat cafés are set to open their doors in the city in 2016. Cafés where cat lovers can spend time with some feline friends have sprung up across the globe in recent years and there are currently cat cafes in cities including London, Edinburgh and Newcastle, and now Manchester is set to follow suit. The owners of Kitty Café, a venue in Nottingham which has been running since March 2015, are planning to open their second site in Manchester in 2016. Kitty Café has a rehoming and rescue model so if you visit and fall in love with a feline friend, there's an opportunity for you to give them a new home. Since their opening earlier this year, they’ve found homes for more than 30 rescue cats. They’ll be launching in Manchester next year, aiming for a spring opening date. Kitty Café   Meanwhile, sisters Elena and Sarah Close are also planning to open up a cat café in the city, after being inspired by a visit to a venue in Edinburgh earlier this year. This will be a more traditional café set up – although they won’t be serving food – where customers will pay an entrance fee which will allow them to spend as much time as they like in the café, with unlimited hot and cold drinks during their visit. The café’s design will be cosy and comfortable, with features such as Wi-Fi, a TV corner with a games console and a large tropical fish tank.But the stars will, of course, be the cats. Five of the residents have already been selec

Iconic musical ‘Cats’ is to return to Edinburgh for just one week next July as part of a UK-wide tour.One of the longest-running shows in the West End and on Broadway, ‘Cats’ will come to the Edinburgh Playhouse direct from its sell-out seasons in London Monday July 4 – Saturday July 9.Based on poems from TS Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, the musical is set on the evening of the Jellicle Ball where all the Jellicle cats meet up for one very special night. It received its world premiere in London in 1981 and since then, 'Cats' has been presented in more than 30 countries and seen by more than 50 million people across the world.The latest run is from the original creative team including director Trevor Nunn, associate director and choreographer Gillian Lynne, designer John Napier and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. ‘Cats’, July 4-9, Edinburgh Playhouse. Tickets £15-£47.50. See more theatre shows in Edinburgh from Time Out.