Glasgow and the Trossachs

We have been based in the James Watt Marina since last Monday 7th, so over a week now. During this time we have explored Glasgow and the surrounding area and been impressed by both. 



The Science Centre

We have caught the bus into Glasgow twice and I was very impressed with the city. It is a modern vibrant city with the River Clyde at its heart. There is an old university and13th century cathedral and necropolis, but the dock areas outside of the main city area have been rejuvenated and are very vibrant areas now. Here you can find the site of the Glasgow Science Centre, a striking titanium building, the IMAX theatre and the tower which moves with the wind.



Detail from the Science Centre

The moving tower

 

The other impressive architecture in the city is the dramatic zinc panelled Waterside Museum designed by Zaha Hadid the world renowned female architect and the “Armadillo” and SSE Hydro concert arena, both designed by Sir Norman Foster. 

Waterside Transport Museum Glasgow designed by Zaha Hadid

 

The Crown Plaza Hotel and the "Armadillo" concert venue across the Clyde.



The Waterside Museum and Tall Ship

So far we have only visited the Waterside Museum which is a fascinating trip down memory lane. There are of course many local pubs to sample and the local Tennants beer. I was disappointed that the Willow Tea Rooms, famous for being designed by Rennie Mackintosh was closed for refurbishment and the Glasgow School of Art is covered in scaffolding because of renovation following the fire a few year’s ago. Sauchiehall Street is the famous shopping street and home to many lovely regency crescents and murder stories. The word Sauchiehall (pronounced sockiehall) is old Scottish for Willow Meadow, so at one time the street was lined with willow trees.

 There is also the Kelvingrove Park, Art Gallery and bowls, croquet and tennis courts left over from the 2014 Commonwealth Games. 

The bus from Greenock to Glasgow takes you into the massive Braehead Shopping Centre which is home to the UK’s largest Krispy Kreme Store. I had to visit it and for Krispy Kreme lovers it was an experience to see the doughnuts being made. You can even take a fast rib trip from the centre of Glasgow along the River Clyde just to visit the Krispy Kreme shop! 

Krispy Kreme's being made in Glasgow.

 



The Falkirk Wheel
 

At the weekend Josh's cousin Sue and her husband Colin kindly picked us up and had us to stay so we were treated to a tour around the Trossachs. This took in the Falkirk Wheel (which lifts canal boats up and down in “buckets” rather like a lift and is the only one in the World), the Kelpies ( a sculpture of two mythical horses), Loch Katrine (the setting on Walter Scott’s the Lady of the Lake), Loch Long and of course Loch Lomand.

 

We had a delightful lunch in a rather strange pub called the Drovers Inn, where all of the staff wore kilts. It was full of stuffed animals including a full size bear and a haggis, with two legs shorter on one side than the other side so that it could run around the hillside. To catch a haggis you hide behind a rock and shout “boo” as it runs towards you, it then turns round and runs in the other direction but because it’s legs are shorter on that side it falls over! You can then catch it and cook your haggis.

 Today, 16^th August, we are in Largs Marina again, weather bound by gale force winds (we have recorded 35 knots of wind while sitting in the marina) and rain. We have Mick and Linda with us and the plan was to sail to Belfast but due to bad weather, which is forecast to last some time, we have today abandoned our plan to sail to Belfast. Watch this space to see what happens next. This must go down in the record books as the worst summer weather ever!