Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships: Glasgow 2009

Glasgow

Based on the west coast of Scotland, Glasgow is one of Europe’s most lively and attractive cities. With an impressive array of cultural, artistic and historic institutions all situated within a fascinating architectural landscape, Glasgow is a favourite destination for visitors from around the world.

The city is also regarded as one of the best shopping areas in the UK, packed with a wide range of retail outlets, from designer names to independent boutiques, all situated within short walking distances. There is also an abundance of bars and restaurants serving local and international cuisine.

The diversity of Glasgow and the impressive range of sporting facilities available resulted in the city being awarded the right to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The west coast of Scotland is known for its milder temperatures but it can be wet and windy. The weather in May is often changeable as the month marks the transition from spring to summer seasons. Average temperatures are expected to range between lows of 4°C and highs of 15°C. Glasgow can be gloriously sunny at that time of year but it is always wise to pack a warm sweater and raincoat or umbrella.

Travel Information

Glasgow, Scotland, is an easy destination to reach with excellent transport links.

Air

Glasgow International Airport is located just 13 kilometres west of Glasgow City Centre. Direct flights are available from most European cities, including the key hubs of Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt and Paris. Edinburgh Airport is also just an hour away.

Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is 48 kilometres south of Glasgow and the railway station adjacent to the airport has frequent direct trains to Glasgow city centre.

Rail

Glasgow Central Station is a key hub in the UK rail network making it easy for you to reach the city for the Championships as well as providing excellent onward travel to the many beauty spots and places of interest for you to explore during your visit to Scotland.

Glasgow Queen Street Station is also located in the city centre. As well as providing excellent links to areas in and around Greater Glasgow, it operates a frequent train service to Edinburgh, just 50 minutes away.

A bus service operates from Gordon Street at Central Station to Glasgow Queen Street Station and Buchanan Bus Station.

Car

The main M74 north/south motorway allows quick, easy access to the entire region.

Approaching from the south, follow the M74 motorway to Glasgow city centre. The Clyde Valley Tourist Route (via the A73, A72 and A702) offers motorists a relaxed and scenic trip through countryside.

Approaching from the east, the M8 from Edinburgh brings you directly to Glasgow city centre.

Sea

Glasgow can be reached by ferry routes across the Irish Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel.

While you are in Scotland, Caledonian MacBrayne operates a fleet of ferries for island hopping around the nation’s picturesque Atlantic coast, and Western Ferries Clyde Ltd operate sailings across the Clyde Estuary between Dunoon and Gourock.

P&O Ferries, Stena Line and Seacat Scotland operate daily ferry routes across the Irish Sea from Belfast to Stranraer - 90 minutes south of Glasgow.

Development programme

Table Tennis Scotland and Culture and Sport Glasgow are intent on leaving a legacy from the Championships. A development programme including a pre-Championships training camp and courses for coaches and match officials is being planned together with a major initiative in Glasgow, both prior to and during the Championships, to increase participation in table tennis.

Glasgow - Proud Host
City of the 2014 Commonwealth Games

Scotland and Glasgow have an impressive track record of successfully staging major sporting and cultural events. On your visit to Glasgow in 2009, you will see Glasgow’s world class sporting facilities; experience the excitement of the city and meet some of the friendliest people in the world. We hope that you and your family and friends will return in 2014 to share in the Commonwealth Games and have the time of your life.

Visas

To support visa applications to come to the city, Glasgow will provide a formal letter of invitation for confirmed teams and their officials.