Glasgow Bound!
Rainy day today so naturally we decided to hit the road and drive to Glasgow. Only about 1 hour away so not a long drive but once we’re there, the driving is going to be a challenge. Even though Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland (since the 15th century) and has a population of around 500K, Glasgow has over 625K people living in the city! The wider metropolitan area is home to more than 1.8M people, or close to 33% of Scotland’s total population. Being city dwellers, we can’t wait to get snuggled up in the crowds.
Yesterday, we stopped by a local church and had the priest and two nervous looking altar boys, perform an exorcism on the GPS. Tired of this thing all of a sudden shouting out bizarre directions and getting lost in the driveway so we thought this might help. Besides, I think the altar boys were pleased that we showed up.
On our way down the several country roads, side roads, slip roads and finally a motorway to the big city of Glasgow. Still raining and around 550 so not uncomfortable but a little damp. We easily found the parking area for our first tour. Maybe the earlier stop was worth it? The Transportation museum! Sounds thrilling, I know, but this one is really great. For one thing, it’s free! The only thing that costs is parking and that’s not much.
The site is a two-story building with everything from skateboards to a 4-mast clipper ship that’s actually moored in the Clyde river. But inside, everything else, trains, streetcars, automobiles, fire trucks, bicycles, scooters, you name it. Pretty nice museum. There’s even an area that has been built to resemble a street scene from the 1920’s complete with a subway! Best of all, this place is alive with families of all ages. Great to see little ones so excited to get on a streetcar or sit in a double-decker bus or a train engine. Fun for all ages.
Transportation Museum
Skateboards, bike,motorcycles, van…got it all in one display.
Double-decker trolley
Our hour of parking ran out so off to our next stop, the University of Glasgow. Generally, you have two choices in European cities to see great examples of architecture, churches and universities. Founded in 1451, Glasgow University is the 4th oldest university in the English-speaking world. The “new” campus is located on Gilmorehill, moved from High street in 1870, and is a great example of Gothic revival style. The main building consists of two quadrangles with an open undercroft, a large (very large) hall for examinations and graduation ceremonies, and of course, a clock tower. This university looks like it could have been the set for Harry Potter. Amazing architecture.
Now a quick drive to Buchanan Street. Buchanan street is a pedestrian area of Glasgow city center so this is where we expect everyone to be, we weren’t disappointed. Jammed with people window shopping, chatting, strolling (that’s a US thing), and in perfect weather, the rain had stopped! Out come the street performers with their car batteries and amplifiers cranked to about 100dB, trying to command a larger crowd than the guy down the street. We slowed to hear one performer but Collette’s ears began to bleed so we had to move on.
Buchanan Street
Unique store decoration
Argyll Center – nothing but diamonds and watches!
Snapped a few pictures of the crowds and shops then decided it was time for lunch. We passed on the local cuisine here in town and elected to try Barras, a food court revival, according to the reviews, that has about 30 different restaurants under one roof.
Drive was short but there was absolutely no parking, for blocks. Hell, we should have left our car at the car park and walked the 40 minutes, there was nowhere to park. Spider senses were starting to tingle so enough of trying to negotiate Glasgow streets, we headed for the last stop on our tour, Glasgow cathedral. Eating will just have to wait.
As I said, there are two places to see beautiful architecture in cities, and here is the second. Glasgow cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th (isn’t that the 14th?) centuries on the site where the city’s patron saint, St. Mungo (no, not Mongo from Blazing Saddles), is buried. That was in 612AD! This is the oldest church in Scotland, survived the 1560 Reformation, and is an excellent example of Scottish Gothic architecture.
Glasgow Cathedral
Another free, we like free, site to visit, although a donation is always welcome. We slipped inside for a quick look of the kirk (Scottish for “church”) and take a few photos. Today the church closes early so we barely made it.
Very modest altar
Gothic arches
Bronze sculpture in honor of Brigadier Major Robert Anderson
View of the nave
Finished with our tour and some photos so time to head back to Crieff. There’s a small gin bar that serves tapas just down the street from our house, sounds like dinner to me! Speaking of gin, tomorrow we’re going to a local gin distillery to try out their small batch gins. Should be fun as long as we don’t get into the tasting too much. The UK has a true “0” tolerance drinking policy. I think it’s so stringent that if you dream you’re in a bar, you can’t drive the next day. Got to be careful.
Till then, cheers.