Well hello my wonderful grandkids, I hope, I wish so much that you are all in carefree wonderful
places in whatever levels and contexts you can imagine. I guess shelter and health are at the top somewhere in a list?
This contribution is yet again a bit random and takes a wee look, from my perspective at Glasgow City. Why? Well, it deserves a mention from me to you. It’s the place to see in Scotland, a message driven through all types of media mostly by, well, Glasgow and it’s folks!.
Glasgow politicians will always see it as a superior to Edinburgh and any of the other cities in Scotland, the UK and indeed the rest of the world if you have more than a five minute blether across an en plein aire table, in the rain, almost anywhere in the city.
I’m no expert on the city, but bits of it I find fascinating and on other levels find disturbing. I know what I’ve liked, been impressed by.
So kids, firstly, even love wee bits of it. when you can, have a look at the city, it’s fabulous to look, learn and love in. As you go though you will discover, by the minute that the Glaswegian citizen will talk as long as you wish but only between mouthfuls of eating the chocolate that is Glasgow culture, people and places. Yep, if it was made of chocolate, it would eat itself.
It is a city in denial, for the most part, of it’s sins of a self supported poverty industry, culture of violence and an obscene willingness to deny but at the same time champion an open door to bigotry and most of the isms that you can find. Yet it has other doors open to liberal thinkers as far as the ear can listen. Keep an eye and ear out when you can.
At time of writing Glasgow has relatively recently opened it’s debating chambers to reveal and further explore the influence of the slave trade and it’s profiteering in the big human trafficking triangle of Glasgow, Africa, Caribbean and southern US state destinations.
Lots to discover, for example the great symbol of creative arts, The Gallery of modern Arts – GOMA – is built on slave profits, so next time you sit there…… You will have to explore yourself. As with so much in our education system you won’t find it in any curriculum – at least not at the moment. You willet the dates of the Magna Carta. OK later this will make some sense.
This contribution is so cheap and flimsy, it’s barely worth a look. However when you are making your own mind up, have consideration of some ‘sights’ to see. The city has one of the best ‘Hop On – Hop Off’ bus tours in the UK- I’ve been on a few. Great introduction to the city, best with a pre discussed plan. Hop off at the museum of transport and the tall ship, Kelvingrove Museum – Weegies love this – Kelvingrove park has a ‘feel’ to it , Glasgow university, like so many destinations in the city lets you wander freely, at time in awe and wonder – check out the Huntarian museum. And 10 minutes away is theBotanic Gardens, brilliant. Hop back on. Keep an eye open for the architecture, mentions of Rennie Mackintosh ,the tour will point out so many discrete buildings that have unique histories about them. Arguably Glasgow does this in a more dramatic way than Edinburgh.
Go to, go to, go to Glasgow Cathedral, soak it up, then pop up to THE city cemetery, ‘The Necropolis’, just adjacent, take a flask and sit and wonder at the history of this place. Honestly, mind boggling.
Gallery of modern art – GOMA – is off Buchanan Street, is a fine place- much of the seating furniture was made in the Borders
One very special visit is the Peoples Palace, by Glasgow Green. Just a bit unique, great cafe, under glass.attractions are all free to access
And bless Glasgow, these are allure to get in. Bloody marvellous.
There are a number of football stadiums to see, the larger music venues draw the big touring acts to the city and if you must the city centre has a reputation for high quality and high energy retail functions – shopping, Buchanan Street is a start. Restaurants, well do your home work not because you have little choice but because the quality is high and in large numbers.
In fairness these mentions are headline/touristy things so you can bet there are scores more that should be visited. My recommendation is that you do a bit of homework, search them out and marvel beyond.
Before you go wild, maybe, just maybe, one day I can do the bus tour with you?