Scotland series #1 - Evening strolls in Glasgow
I have been to Scotland before, but wasn't taken to it much. Not surprising considering My previous it was a short trip (over 3 day weekend) and exhausting with jam-packed schedule & non-stop travelling. While I enjoyed the time with my friends, it turned out to be mainly a weekend long photo shoot (not that I am complaining 😜). Our tour guide is London based and didn't know much about the places we been to. No wonder I did not admire Scotland in the way it deserved🥺.
Last year, 2 days before my planned return to India from England, I was to told my assignment was extended and I had to travel to Glasgow. I wasn't so excited as I was quite tired and partly glad to head back home to a more relaxed workspace. Moreover, I had to cancel my tickets, make travel & accommodation arrangements (which was a nightmare with my debit card cancelled😥), courier my extra luggage (domestic travel restrictions😏), re-pack my stuff, prep to deal with the issue which got my trip extended and list just goes on.
After few baggage mishaps I finally reached Glasgow, exhausted, on a Monday evening - thankfully I booked room in a hotel which is right next to airport and work site is less than 10 mins drive from there. First week was quite dull and I spent most time working👩🏻💻 - The work place felt quite gloomy in contrast to chirpy environment in England office. I didn't plan on going anywhere initially, but after a prolonged week scooped in office and hotel room and nothing much to explore around airport, I took the fast bus to City Centre 🚌. Glasgow have 2 types of bus services - regular and fast, prices differ accordingly. Also I find the bus schedules in Glasgow quite irritating, especially around Paisley - I often find myself waiting for 40 mins for a 10 min ride (Fortunately, airport and city center being the starting points, I didn't have to wait so long for these trips). To add to the misery, they often close the bus stops and we end up crossing 4-5 stops to find a functioning one. The first trip was on a lazy Sunday, after a working Saturday (practically had to drag myself out of bed🥱), and by the time I reached city center, it was late into afternoon. I spent most time shopping, mainly in House of Fraser - got some high end labels on discounted price.
The other stores were closing by the time I visited (not that I would have been able to afford anything even if they are open), but I was able to walk through the elegant corridors.
The architecture of the malls is so aesthetic, even shopping feels like sightseeing 🤩.
After that I went around strolling through merchant city.
I ended up in George square, without even planning to😯😊. I have been there in previous visit but didn't even know the name.
The Cenotaph is memorial for lost lives in WW1 and right next to it is the Scott monument to commemorate famous literary figure, Walter Scott.
There are quite a few sculptures around the square and to the front stands those of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
George Square is common meeting point and most events of city commence from this square.
From George square I walked towards the banks of River Clyde. The Victorian buildings in the center mellowed down to simpler and modern ones towards the river bank.
Malls, restaurants and pubs increased and I spotted few with famous graffiti.
Unlike Thames and Siene, Clyde is kind of aloof - just few seating areas and people relaxing, strolling or cycling.
As the evening grew darker, I went back to Enoch Square packed some dinner and headed back to my hotel.
Though a short visit, it re-triggered my enthusiasm for travelling. Subsequent weekends are utilized for Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan & Jacobite train trip and Isle of Skye. On the final weekend of the trip, I went back to Glasgow center, but this time I wanted to do something other than shopping😁. However, I made the mistake of not opting for fast bus and ended up spending more than an hour in commute. Additionally, there was some bank work to take care of and it was 4:30 PM by the time I came out. I badly wanted to visit Necropolis, but it is bit far and it is the kind of place I wouldn't want to rush around. So, I went to Lighthouse instead, with 20 mins left before closing time⏳. The lady at the entrance suggested to go straight to the viewing area which it is accessible only through stairs (Vertigo, here we go🤦🏻♀️).
The viewing platform is quite narrow but offers nice views of the city.
There are very few visitors at that time and still the space is close to packed. I wonder how it will be on peak time - probably other exhibit areas of the building attract most attention. We weren't rushed out, but all other levels, along with the souvenir store near reception, were closed.
I could only take few pictures, of what seemed like miniatures of famous buildings, on the way out.
While it was a good idea to visit Light House with the time restriction, I could have spent bit more time here.
As I came out it was pouring heavily and I stopped in Hotel Chocolate for a nice cup of hot chocolate☕️ - until then I knew that place only to sell fragrance and skincare products.
Thankfully, it didn't rain for too long and I went straight to Clyde river, but in opposite direction from my previous visit. I walked through some bridges before ending up in Glasgow Green.
Clyde river have quite a few bridges - one similarity I found with Siene and Thames.
Glasgow green is bit further by foot. At the entrance, it seemed like a small park, but it stretches quite long and got wider almost immediately.
The path to Nelson monument is filled with banners, in preparation of some running event the next day.
From there the park widened even more as I approached the People's palace.
The palace and glasshouse are closed by that time, so I walked around to the terracotta fountain (Doulton Fountain).
Its one of the kind, designed with the Queen Victoria on top and representation of 4 countries towards a wider base. As the dusk draw in, I retraced my steps back to Enoch Square to get the bus back to hotel.
Glasgow is a remarkable city and despite my initial reluctance to its gloomy feel and intimidating architecture, I was completely drawn to its charm at the end. I merely scratched the surface of this city - there are lots of museums and gardens, historic castles and iconic buildings I didn't get to visit. Necropolis and Sterling Castle are top of my missed list (If only I did not laze around the first weekend🙇🏻♀️). Then again, leaving out places or not spending enough time need not be a disappointment, rather a way of saying we will meet again🤝.
Last year, 2 days before my planned return to India from England, I was to told my assignment was extended and I had to travel to Glasgow. I wasn't so excited as I was quite tired and partly glad to head back home to a more relaxed workspace. Moreover, I had to cancel my tickets, make travel & accommodation arrangements (which was a nightmare with my debit card cancelled😥), courier my extra luggage (domestic travel restrictions😏), re-pack my stuff, prep to deal with the issue which got my trip extended and list just goes on.
After few baggage mishaps I finally reached Glasgow, exhausted, on a Monday evening - thankfully I booked room in a hotel which is right next to airport and work site is less than 10 mins drive from there. First week was quite dull and I spent most time working👩🏻💻 - The work place felt quite gloomy in contrast to chirpy environment in England office. I didn't plan on going anywhere initially, but after a prolonged week scooped in office and hotel room and nothing much to explore around airport, I took the fast bus to City Centre 🚌. Glasgow have 2 types of bus services - regular and fast, prices differ accordingly. Also I find the bus schedules in Glasgow quite irritating, especially around Paisley - I often find myself waiting for 40 mins for a 10 min ride (Fortunately, airport and city center being the starting points, I didn't have to wait so long for these trips). To add to the misery, they often close the bus stops and we end up crossing 4-5 stops to find a functioning one. The first trip was on a lazy Sunday, after a working Saturday (practically had to drag myself out of bed🥱), and by the time I reached city center, it was late into afternoon. I spent most time shopping, mainly in House of Fraser - got some high end labels on discounted price.
The other stores were closing by the time I visited (not that I would have been able to afford anything even if they are open), but I was able to walk through the elegant corridors.
The architecture of the malls is so aesthetic, even shopping feels like sightseeing 🤩.
After that I went around strolling through merchant city.
I ended up in George square, without even planning to😯😊. I have been there in previous visit but didn't even know the name.
The Cenotaph is memorial for lost lives in WW1 and right next to it is the Scott monument to commemorate famous literary figure, Walter Scott.
There are quite a few sculptures around the square and to the front stands those of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
George Square is common meeting point and most events of city commence from this square.
From George square I walked towards the banks of River Clyde. The Victorian buildings in the center mellowed down to simpler and modern ones towards the river bank.
Malls, restaurants and pubs increased and I spotted few with famous graffiti.
Unlike Thames and Siene, Clyde is kind of aloof - just few seating areas and people relaxing, strolling or cycling.
As the evening grew darker, I went back to Enoch Square packed some dinner and headed back to my hotel.
Though a short visit, it re-triggered my enthusiasm for travelling. Subsequent weekends are utilized for Loch Lomond, Glenfinnan & Jacobite train trip and Isle of Skye. On the final weekend of the trip, I went back to Glasgow center, but this time I wanted to do something other than shopping😁. However, I made the mistake of not opting for fast bus and ended up spending more than an hour in commute. Additionally, there was some bank work to take care of and it was 4:30 PM by the time I came out. I badly wanted to visit Necropolis, but it is bit far and it is the kind of place I wouldn't want to rush around. So, I went to Lighthouse instead, with 20 mins left before closing time⏳. The lady at the entrance suggested to go straight to the viewing area which it is accessible only through stairs (Vertigo, here we go🤦🏻♀️).
The viewing platform is quite narrow but offers nice views of the city.
There are very few visitors at that time and still the space is close to packed. I wonder how it will be on peak time - probably other exhibit areas of the building attract most attention. We weren't rushed out, but all other levels, along with the souvenir store near reception, were closed.
I could only take few pictures, of what seemed like miniatures of famous buildings, on the way out.
While it was a good idea to visit Light House with the time restriction, I could have spent bit more time here.
As I came out it was pouring heavily and I stopped in Hotel Chocolate for a nice cup of hot chocolate☕️ - until then I knew that place only to sell fragrance and skincare products.
Thankfully, it didn't rain for too long and I went straight to Clyde river, but in opposite direction from my previous visit. I walked through some bridges before ending up in Glasgow Green.
Clyde river have quite a few bridges - one similarity I found with Siene and Thames.
Glasgow green is bit further by foot. At the entrance, it seemed like a small park, but it stretches quite long and got wider almost immediately.
The path to Nelson monument is filled with banners, in preparation of some running event the next day.
From there the park widened even more as I approached the People's palace.
The palace and glasshouse are closed by that time, so I walked around to the terracotta fountain (Doulton Fountain).
Its one of the kind, designed with the Queen Victoria on top and representation of 4 countries towards a wider base. As the dusk draw in, I retraced my steps back to Enoch Square to get the bus back to hotel.
Glasgow is a remarkable city and despite my initial reluctance to its gloomy feel and intimidating architecture, I was completely drawn to its charm at the end. I merely scratched the surface of this city - there are lots of museums and gardens, historic castles and iconic buildings I didn't get to visit. Necropolis and Sterling Castle are top of my missed list (If only I did not laze around the first weekend🙇🏻♀️). Then again, leaving out places or not spending enough time need not be a disappointment, rather a way of saying we will meet again🤝.
It felt so good reading this♥️
ReplyDeleteFelt good writing it :)
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