Things To Do When You're In Glasgow

Had a friend come for a visit this month. In celebration of her arrival I contacted a winery in Chile and paid then an exorbitant amount of cash to get them to release a special vintage just for her. Just look at that face, it was soooooo worth it!



She's actually seen more of Scotland than I have as this was her third trip so the trick was to do things she hadn't done yet. So here's what we did....

First up, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.



Not only is it a fabulous piece of architecture but so much to see once you're inside. Make note though, if you want to take a tripod (a must for taking pictures without flash) you need to get permission. I felt so 'professional' walking around with my media slip. It made me laugh though, the application had nothing to do with permission to take pictures of the artwork. It was more about Health & Safety, don't want anyone to trip on your equipment (give me a break).

Next up The Burrell Collection



Some rich guy collected a bunch of stuff and then dumped it on the city to deal with when he kicked the bucket. Ok, not really. Here's the official blurb:

"When Sir William Burrell and his wife, Constance, Lady Burrell, gifted his collection of over 9,000 works of art to Glasgow, the city acquired one of the greatest collections created by one person. William Burrell had been an art collector since his teens, and the collection is made up of a vast array of works of all periods and from all over the world."

So an interesting collection on a massive estate, but the best part for me was the field that had Highland Cows. They are sooooooooooo cute!



When I look at them I can't help but think of that Bugs Bunny Cartoon



Next up, just a nice day walking the City Centre to take a look around. Another beautiful sunny day which is great for playing tourist.



Not that you can tell from my black and white shot. It's always fun to try and see a space differently even if you've walk the area daily. Everyone was busy taking shots of the GOMA, but not me. I was taking a shot of iron work across the street.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse. I've been to Edinburgh a bunch of times but have never managed to see the Palace. Also there is this cool Abbey ruin on the grounds out back. In addition there is also The Queens Gallery. So well worth the ticket price.



After dinner waiting for the next train back to Glasgow I thought it would be fun to attempt some night shots with my tripod. This was also the night I figured out the trick with using the self timer to remove the chance of camera shake (why was I the last to figure this out?).



The Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery. This is part of the University of Glasgow. I've been to the Art Gallery a number of times. It's nice and small so not too overwhelming to the culturally uneducated brain like mine. But I'd never been to the Museum part as it's been undergoing a massive renovation this last year.



Parents - take your kids to this. They will be completely grossed out by all the pickled things in jars (and I'm not talking Grandma's canned peaches). Too cool! Also, like the Art Gallery it's not too big and has lots of interactive displays.

Linlithgow Palace - this is one of those places that you can see from the train as you travel to Edinburgh from Glasgow. I can't believe it's taken me a year to get here when it is so close.



What a way to relive your childhood. Remember those days playing, climbing trees pretending you were in a castle. Well how about climbing all around a real castle, up turrets, down into the depths, finding little rooms hidden away. And it was a spectacular day. The only downside was we missed being able to get into the church next door as it was operating on winter hours and was closed already. Well it just gives me something to do next time I need to entertain a visitor.

Culzean Castle - another day trip out of Glasgow by train. You travel to the little town of Ayr and then catch a bus to the gates of the estate.



This was one of those cold, misty, foggy days that would befit a scary movie. But no wind so other than being a bit damp it wasn't too bad. This would be a great place to come in the summer as the Castle is part of a huge estate with lovely gardens. As it is autumn the leaves were starting to change and the colours reminded me of Ontario.

We timed our visit just right and caught a guided tour by a lovely little old lady that just kept getting side tracked with her script (too funny). And should you have a nice wad of cash just laying around and are looking for a place to rest your head the Castle is also a hotel.

Glasgow City Chambers - another must do in the city.



Tours are run twice a day and are free. It's a lovely building and the tour guides are very entertaining.

So there you have it, all done easily by day in and around the city of Glasgow. Just makes you want to jump in a plane to come and visit now doesn't it.