With Christmas so close, we sat down with Santa Claus himself to discuss Glasgow, the children in it and some of his favourite things.

As we all know, he flies around the world on Christmas Eve, spreading love and festive joy.

When we caught up with him, he was prepping for the big journey by resting.

Glasgow Times: Santa in GlasgowSanta in Glasgow (Image: Robert Perry)

He said: “I am so busy at the North Pole and I have a place at Lapland as well, that is where my workshop is.

“The last place I come to every Christmas Eve, after being all over the world, is Glasgow. I save it for last.

“I’m always welcome in Glasgow and that is an obvious thing to say but I have been Santa Claus here for a very long time and this is my favourite place in the whole wide world.

“Glasgow is the kindest, friendliest I have ever visited."

Some of his favourite things to do in the city include an iconic charity event and, of course, the George Square lights switch-on.

Glasgow Times: Santa at the George Square Christmas light switch-onSanta at the George Square Christmas light switch-on (Image: Robert Perry)

He added: “I always come here to see the Santa Dash, where thousands of people go for a run around the city, dressed as me.

“There’s men, women, children, dogs, all sorts of things, dressed as me. Being in Glasgow, it is guaranteed that it will be raining and these people have a smile on their faces as they raise thousands and thousands of pounds for charity.

“To me, this is the true spirit of Christmas and the very heart of Glasgow.

“They ask me every year to come help switch the lights on at George Square, and I go up on the stage, everyone cheers me and I would imagine it’s like being a rockstar and everyone is taking videos, I am on the big screen.

“When I come off that stage, I feel a whole lot better because I received all the love from Glasgow, from people of all ages and nationalities."

Glasgow Times:

About the meaning of the holiday, Santa had a very clear answer: love.

He explained: “It isn’t actually about material possessions. There was a little English lad who grew up to write the line ‘love is all you need’ and that is a wonderful line.

“But yes, some chocolate, clothes and toys make it a little bit special but it’s the little surprises that make Christmas the best time of all."

Santa said he is watching the children of Glasgow very closely.

“They tend to be very quick-witted. Cheeky, I think, is the correct word.

“But in a kind, funny and gentle way. I can take a little bit of mocking.

“They need to see a jolly old man and that is what I think I am and certainly what I wish to be perceived as."