Edinburgh or Glasgow? Heads or tails? The good news is that visitors to Scotland are visiting both. Hotels in the two cities are boasting equally healthy occupancy rates, with a high point during May of 84% for Glasgow (boosted by the Uefa Cup final) and 85% for Edinburgh. It's not clear how many of them are hopping on to the train at Queen Street or Waverley to do the double, but there is no doubt that visitors can now have their cake and eat it - whether that's in a restored Charles Rennie Mackintosh tearoom in Glasgow, or a grand hotel on Princes Street.
Edinburgh or Glasgow? Heads or tails? The good news is that visitors to Scotland are visiting both. Hotels in the two cities are boasting equally healthy occupancy rates, with a high point during May of 84% for Glasgow (boosted by the Uefa Cup final) and 85% for Edinburgh. It's not clear how many of them are hopping on to the train at Queen Street or Waverley to do the double, but there is no doubt that visitors can now have their cake and eat it - whether that's in a restored Charles Rennie Mackintosh tearoom in Glasgow, or a grand hotel on Princes Street.
Edinburgh, with the castle dominating the skyline, the promise of pipe bands at the military tattoo and a rich and dramatic history, has always had a head start in attracting foreign tourists in search of the quintessential Scottish experience. Glasgow traditionally kept its equally long and colourful history for those who knew the city was more than the industrial powerhouse which made it the second city of the empire. However, it has been reinventing itself since the decline of heavy industry a generation ago: as this weekend's River Festival testifies, the city's love affair with the Clyde is not dependent on the shipyards. From the garden festival in 1988, via its year as European City of Culture in 1990 and then City of Architecture and Design in 1999, Glasgow has embraced the potential of tourism with business acumen and hospitable enthusiasm for which its citizens are famed. It was a series of major conferences, centred on the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, which introduced Glasgow as a destination for the international traveller and led to better hotel provision. Any major city which aspires to world ranking in the 21st century has to remain dynamic; resting on laurels is a recipe for relegation to the second division, and more quality accommodation is needed.
As Scott Taylor, chief executive of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, says, Glasgow is in competition with Barcelona, Berlin, Birmingham and London. There is some way to go to get to the top of that league, but the ace card could be just 45 miles away.
According to John Lennon, professor of Tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow and Edinburgh, marketed together, would be unbeatable. Both cities - and VisitScotland - should heed that advice. In addition to the Edinburgh International Festival, which has spawned many imitators but remains the biggest and best arts jamboree, culture-seekers should dip into the artistic treasure troves of Kelvingrove and the Burrell Collection or take in a performance at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall or the Citz. Mackintosh enthusiasts should take in this summer's arts and crafts exhibition at the Edinburgh City Art Centre.
Auld Reekie and the Dear Green Place are a cultural contrast; they complement each other.
