Tourist information

The See Glasgow bureau online can provide information about accommodation, museums and other activities across the city.

The Glasgow branch of Visit Scotland is located on George Square, 5 minutes away from the Institute. Visit Scotland can provide information on tourist attractions and holidays throughout Scotland.

Accommodation for programme participants

Due to budgetary constraints, the Institute cannot provide accommodation for all programme participants. Accommodation will only be booked and paid for when programme organisers have confirmed the names of the visitors for whom accommodation should be booked. In general, rooms for participants are booked at the Premier Inn, 187 George Street, Glasgow G1 1YU. Participants can request their accommodation when registering online for a programme event, taking care to indicate their arrival and departure date. The Institute will then confirm the booking  and the hotel details once these are finalised.

NOTE: No booking will be made unless the programme organisers have confirmed the names of the visitors who should be provided accommodation.

Visitors making their own arrangements

Participants making their own arrangements can download a list of hotels and B&B's in Glasgow, with prices ranging from £25 a night to over £120. Participants should contact the hotels directly to make a booking.

Alternatively, the See Glasgow tourist information office can book accommodation.

Lift access

The Institute is located on Level 1 of the James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street. A lift is available on the ground floor of the lobby.

Montrose Street is very steep, and visitors with reduced mobility may find it easier to access the entrance of the James Weir Building by coming down from Cathedral Street.

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair users should contact the Institute prior to their visit so that necessary arrangements can be made. Two disabled parking spaces are available in front of the Thomas Graham Building on Cathedral Street, with level access to this building. These spaces can be reserved, so please contact the Institute before your arrival.

To enter the James Weir building from there, enter the level access to the Thomas Graham building through the automated doors, head straight ahead and turn left. Just before the double doors, turn to your left around the corner, go through the set of doors. Enter the lifts in front of you, and go to Level 1. Exit the lift and turn right until you see the Institute on your left hand side.

A disabled loo is available on Level 3 of the James Weir Building.

Financial support for participants

In exceptional cases, the Institute can provide some financial support to programme participants by reimbursing expenses incurred by them in order to attend meetings in Glasgow. Due to budgetary constraints, the Institute cannot provide financial assistance to all participants and the decision to offer the reimbursement of expenses will be made by the programme organisers in liaison with the Institute. Participants must seek a written confirmation  for financial support from the programme organisers convening the meeting they are invited to attend, before making travel arrangements for which they are planning to put in an expense claim

How to get expenses reimbursed?

When the Institute and the programme organisers have agreed to reimburse a participant's expenses such as a train ticket, flight or accommodation, the claimant must complete an Expense claim form and return it to the Institute together with the original receipts (no photocopies or credit card counterfoils). Payment is made by bank transfer and claims are handled on a weekly basis. Overseas visitors should provide the IBAN code and  address of their bank.

What costs are eligible?

The Guidelines on Expenses provide full details on eligible costs but participants should take care to ensure that the most efficient and economic form of travel is chosen. Business class flights will only be reimbursed up to the level of an equivalent economy class ticket for the same journey. Taxis should only be used when no other form of transport is available or by participants with mobility issues.

At the Institute

During a programme event, coffee, black tea, a wide selection of herbal teas and soft drinks will be available throughout the day. All our teas and coffees are fairtrade. A buffet lunch is served during programme events with sandwiches, soups, guiches, salads and a selection of freshly made cakes. Vegetarian options are always available. Any other dietary requirements can be catered for but please indicate your specific needs when registering for an event.

Around Glasgow

If you would like to take advantage of the wide range of restaurants and bars in Glasgow during your visit, you can download a list of restaurants or a list of bars and cafes.

IT access during a programme event

Participants can request IT access for the duration of their visit to the Institute to enable access to the internet, networked laptops and printing. To do so, check the box IT/Wifi access on the registration form for the event you are attending. On arrival visitors will then be given a username and password, valid for the length of the event.

Wifi

Participants with their own laptop can also request Wifi access during programme events while registering. On arrival, visitors will be given a username and password for the wireless network. Please note that given the structure of the Institute's space the wireless connection is not always reliable.

Presentations

Our presentation area includes a laptop, projector and a SmartBoard. Please bring any presentation with you on a memory stick.

AV equipment

The presentation laptop also has two speakers and a small microphone which can be used for example during Skype video calls. We also have a Camcorder and a digital camera. While we can provide the equipment, please note that programme organisers are responsible for operating the equipment during their event. If necessary a portable PA system and microphone can be hired during events at an extra cost.

Skype conferencing

When participants cannot travel to the Institute, it is possible to use Skype to do a presentation remotely. The Institute's Skype ID is Scottish Insight and any presenters speaking from a remote location should add the Institute to their contacts to be able to connect during the event.

Video-conferencing

A portable video-conferencing unit can be used to connect with other video-conferencing centres across the world. However, organisers should note that the unit is meant to be used by a small group of up to 12-15 people in the Institute's space.

Sporting facilities

During extended visits of more than 5 days, programme participants can make use of the University of Strathclyde sports facilities at a preferential rate. To access the facilities, please request a letter of introduction from Institute staff and take this to the Centre for Sport and Recreation on campus. Facilities include squash courts, cardio conditioning room, weights room and a small 18 metre swimming pool.

Prayer room

Campus prayer rooms cater to all denominations and are located in the Chaplaincy in St Paul's Building, John Street. 

Entry clearance (Academic or Business Visitors)

Non EU nationals may require a visa to enter the UK. Any person who is a national of a country given on the  Home Office visa national list, must apply for Entry Clearance (a ‘visa’) as a visitor, from a British Embassy (or High Commission or Consulate) before travelling to the UK.

To obtain Entry Clearance, and enter the UK as an Academic Visitor or Business Visitor, foreign nationals will need to show an official letter of invitation from the hosting institution in the UK (in this case the Scottish Universities Insight Institute), details of their accommodation arrangements in the UK and of their employment status in their country of residence.

Visitors requiring Entry clearance must contact the Scottish Universities Insight Institute at least 8 weeks before their planned arrival date so that a letter of invitation can be issued and dispatched to them by courier.  Visitors are requested not to make any travel arrangements until entry clearance has been obtained. It is the visa applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their application is submitted to the local British Consulate at least 6 weeks before their planned travel date. Applicants should not initiate the procedures before information about their visit has been exchanged between programme organisers, the Institute and themselves.

Please note that Entry clearance for Academic or Business visitors does not entitle visitors in these categories to work in the UK.

On street parking

There is limited on street metered parking available on Montrose Street.

NCP Car park

The NCP car park is located at the intersection of Richmond Street and Montrose Street, with the entrance situated on Montrose Street. A preferential rate applies to visitors of the University of Strathclyde. To obtain the reduced rate, please take your token to the campus security booth on the ground floor of the Livingstone Tower, accessible via Richmond Street.

Disabled parking

Two disabled parking spaces are located in front of the Thomas Graham Building on Cathedral Street. Please contact the Institute to arrange access to these spaces before your visit. A further two spaces are available to blue badge holders on Rottenrow, just before the intersection with Montrose street.

Registering for programme events

Please note that Registration is required for the programme events listed on our website. If you would like to attend a specific programme meeting, please use the contact details given for each event to email the conveners. In some cases, numbers may be restricted and the Institute and its programme organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to non-registered participants.

Once the organisers have confirmed you are welcome to attend the meeting, you will be given a link to a registration form. Please use this form to confirm your personal details, arrival and departure dates, IT requirements and dietary needs during the event. You will receive an email confirmation of your booking which will include details about the location, venue and links to maps and directions.

Registering for public events

For public events, registration is also required as spaces may be limited. To register for public events, please use the registration link provided with the details of the event in the Events diary.

If you have any queries regarding attendance and participation, please email your question.