Thursday 11 July 2013

A Little Bit of Glasgow Sight Seeing

I had to go into Glasgow yesterday for an appointment lasting all of 6 minutes. We decided we'd spend some time sight-seeing while we were there...

Lift ceiling detail, not a well known tourist attraction, yet!



We headed over to the cathedral first of all. I didn't get a very good photo of the exterior - there is a fair bit of scaffolding surrounding it as renovations are underway so I didn't take many pictures. I like the lamp posts. They depict the elements from Glasgow's coat of arms:- the tree that never grew, the bird that never flew, the fish that never swam, the bell that never rang. Each of these has a story associated, for more information have a look here.

Once inside it is always the stained glass which draws my attention. I like looking at the details. Not being especially religious it is the more secular aspects of the windows which appeal. Such as...


 Thistle detail....

... you can see it in situ here, at the bottom of the section second on the left.

Glasgow coat of arms detail.


Squirrel.

 Bird.



Back outside and here's a closer look at one of the lamp posts.

Next to the cathedral there's the museum of religion which we leave for another day. Instead we turn the corner past the museum to visit...

Provand's Lordship - the oldest house in Glasgow (built in 1471). Quick, green man, let's cross!

There are stained glass windows here too.

Most of the rooms are furnished with old oak furniture, these stools were my favourite. Also in this room was an area for doing some craft projects.

The children had a go at the stained glass which involved gluing pieces of coloured cellophane onto a little acetate sheet. I got a little bored waiting for them to finish so I made one too. Here are A's and mine. I liked the effect achieved by layering some of the shapes.

 Outside there is a pleasant little walled garden.

 Old stone carvings are set into the walls of the garden.

 A view looking over the garden to the rear of the house.

After lunch (at a well-known burger establishment), we continue.


Some street scenes. We're on our way to...

The Winter Gardens at the People's Palace.


I guess that after visiting Kew I was curious to see how one of our own glass houses compared. It's different in that it's not a specialist collection of plants. As a space to linger in it's nicer as there are benches and more open space, it's also very well looked after with the glass and paintwork being very clean. In addition it's free to get in, as have been all the places we've visited today.  

Ice cream. A had raspberry ripple, N and I had peaches and cream. A made the best choice.

There is a museum of social history next to the gardens which we also visited. The museum was opened in 1898 and was intended to be "A palace of pleasure and imagination around which the people may place their affections and which may give them a home on which their memory may rest". For some reason, the exhibit I always associate with it is the pair of banana boots owned by Billy Connolly.

A last view of the glass house before the long walk back to the station.

On the way home we bought a new paddling pool, the last one having burst. The children are looking forward to a "day off" from walking today and testing out the new pool. Isn't this lovely weather glorious. So nice for it to coincide with our school holidays too!

12 comments:

Meggie said...

Lovely post...I will be there in a few months, all the way from Texas.

Sandy's witterings said...

I haven't been in the cathedral for a few years (though I tried a couple of months ago and found it closed - too late in the day). There's some good stuff in there. The peoples palace is completely new to me and the spotty ceiling, quite intriguing.

Ladybird Diaries said...

Lovely photos as always. You have captured some great parts of Glasgow there. We love going to the Botanic Gardens too. However my daughter just loves going to Kelvingrove Museum and asks to go at least once a week!
M x

Joy said...

I did enjoy my visit to Glasgow - lovely pics - many thanks!
Joy

Jennifer Hays said...

I would love to visit Glasgow someday. Thank you for sharing pics. I am always so amazed when I read about the ages of buildings in Europe. 1471! There is very little in the US that old, if anything.

Mrs. Micawber said...

It looks like a fascinating place. I love stained glass too (also not for religious reasons although I am a churchgoer). That squirrel is very sweet.

Enjoy the pool! :)

Louise said...

what a great day. I think I'd like to visit that house. Glasgow has an interesting coat of arms.

Jacquie said...

Hi Anne, looks like a great day out. I'd love to visit Glasgow one day, I'd especially like to see the glass house and the Kelvingrove art gallery.
Jacquie x

Mereknits said...

I love it when you take us along, because we get to see so much beauty and fun.
Hugs,
Meredith

tlcukjourney said...

Amazing photos! Gorgeous places to visit!
I really enjoyed post,
Tammy

Linda said...

With our son having studied in Glasgow for the past 4 years we should know it better, but somehow there was never time to explore on our trips through with his belongings at the start of the university year. And now he's graduated we wonder if we will ever make the time for sightseeing. Judging by your photos there's lots to see.

Annie Cholewa said...

Provand's Lordship ... what an amazing building ... think of all the feet that have walked it's floors!

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