Troubled science tower to reopen

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Scotland's tallest free-standing building is to reopen after being closed for almost 18 months.

The 416ft (127m) high Glasgow Tower will welcome visitors on Thursday.

The £9m tower has been shut since August last year after a series of glitches were identified. Bosses said small problems had been fixed.

Kirk Ramsay, Science Centre chief executive, said: "We are thrilled to be reopening the tower and we look forward to extending a warm welcome."

The tower, which forms part of the Glasgow Science Centre complex in Govan, was opened in a blaze of publicity in 2001.

It has been shut longer than it has been open due to a series of problems.

The tower was shut down within five months after a major structural fault was discovered, remaining closed for the next two-and-a-half years.

And it had to close for another five months from January 2005 after visitors got trapped in a lift.

VisitScotland's chief executive Philip Riddle welcomed the tower back on to the tourist trail.

He said: "As one of Glasgow's most popular visitor attractions, and well deserving its five-star status, we are delighted to hear that the tower will reopen in time for Christmas."