Things you might not know about GLASGOW

ALL eyes have been on Glasgow as world leaders gathered there to pretend they care about global warming, and that.

But apart from being home to Rab C Nesbitt ( above) and birthplace of Billy Connolly, what else do we know about Scotland’s biggest city?

Here are some facts you may not know…

THE name Glasgow comes from the Brittonic ‘ glas’

( grey- green) and ‘ cöü’ ( hollow), which is thought to refer to the grassy ravine that lies to the east of Glasgow cathedral.

THE first international association football game was played in Glasgow in 1872, at the West of Scotland Cricket ground, and was between Scotland and England. The match ended in a 0- 0 draw.

ACCORDING to local stories, the city of Glasgow was founded by 6th- century Christian missionary St Mungo. However, in reality, there had been a settlement on the banks of the River Clyde since prehistoric times.

GLASGOW’S City Chambers contain more marble than the Vatican and the building stood in for the Pope’s house during filming of the 1986 movie Heavenly Pursuits.

GLASGOW’S subway system is the third- oldest underground train system in the world, and began to welcome passengers in 1896. The bright orange carriages and regular service mean that it is often dubbed ‘ The Clockwork Orange’.

ST Valentine’s arm can be found in the Church of Blessed St John Duns Scotus in Gorbals.

STAN Laurel was actually a Glasgow resident in the early 1900s and made his stage debut at the Panopticon Theatre, in Trongate, just before his 16th birthday, in 1906.

AROUND 30,000 ships have been built in the shipyards on Glasgow’s River Clyde.

THERE is an area on Mars which NASA has named Glasgow.

GLASGOW is twinned with Bethlehem, birthplace of the legendary Baby Jesus, of Christmas fame.