Glasgow. Day1. Part 1.

 23rd April 2024.

I have only every driven through Glasgow, twice I think and never stayed overnight. This trip was a little strange to say the least as it was only a partial plan. 

The plan was to do with Sheila. She wanted to do the West Highland Way, something I have never considered due to the amount of people who walk it. However, because I was in recovery from Prostate Cancer therapy which I have only just finished at Christie Oldham, I wasn't going to argue over "an easy" backpacking trip.

The plan was scuppered in the end because I just wasn't mentally or physically ready for such a trip, even an easy one and therefore decided that we would go to Glasgow as planned but spend three nights there as a mini break. I didn't want to drive and so went by train which turned out to be a very enjoyable and stress free.

We arrived at Central Station which was very busy and I pictured what it would look like in a few weeks time when it would be packed with TGO Challengers. Leaving through the Union Street door on a warm afternoon we soon found the Premier Inn where we had booked our stay. 

After a good nights sleep we headed out into town and our route was to walk to Kelvingrove Park and Museum. It started on St Vincent Street which was busy with people heading to work, heads down, earphones in, eating breakfast on the hop etc etc.....

Then along Argyle Street until with reach Kelvingrove Street which led straight into the parkland. We had slight problems finding our way at one point, just where we cross the very busy M8 motorway. There are lots of routes and walkways and it was quite confusing to first timers like us. So we sat down and looked at the OS mapping and Apple maps to make sure we were taking the right route. We soon found a signpost on a cycle route which confirmed the way.

Kelvingrove park is delightful and wasn't too busy at this time of the morning. It was another lovely blue sky day with temperatures at 14 degrees C. Summer had arrived.

We spent a fair bit of time walking the pathways and taking the views high up at gorgeous housing complex called "Park Circus". What splendid buildings and architecture. We must of said "Wow" a hundred times. Photographs don't do the area justice. What a place to live.

THE STEWART MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN

Shame it wasn't working. It has been switched off due to constant vandalism after it was restored in 1988. The fountain is in the French Gothic style. Its designer beat off 75 other suggested designs. The architect, 27yr old James Sellers won the international competition. It was built in 1871-72 of Granite and Sandstone and commemorates Lord Provost Robert Stewart.

A SMALL PART OF WHAT IS, PARK CIRCUS

View across the park to our next destination. Kelvingrove Museum.

The museum is on the west side of the park. We followed the paths down to the bridge over the River Kelvin, past an outside auditorium then across another bridge leading to the Museum Carprark. If anyone is thinking of doing the West Highland Way and isn't pushed for time then an alternative "add on" could be the River Kelvin Walkway which starts at the confluence with the River Clyde and ends in Milgarvie. It would only add a few hours onto the route and it is 10km long. 

THE RIVER KELVIN

THE FRONT AND REAR ENTRANCES TO THE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

Once inside the building the eyes just don't know where to stop and look, its staggeringly beautiful. You can do a guided tour or just wander around the place at your leisure which is what we did after having a coffee. The coffee was far from great but it was hot and wet.

You pay nothing on entry but you can give a donation if you wish. A ground floor plan of all the building is available for free.

The Foyer or Main Reception Hall with the concert organ high up. Recitals are played on certain days during the week. The sound must be amazing.

Looking away from the organ area towards the front main entrance.

The museum and art gallery is huge and we spent hours here. I took dozens of photographs as there was no restrictions on doing so. Below I will post just a few of them. Hopefully you will be tempted to go yourselves one day.

Egyptology section

The Spitfire, a survivor of WW2. The info on the plane was provided by a friend in the know and not by the museum.

Serial #: LA198 Construction #:   SMAF.4338 Civil Registration:   None

Model:   Spitfire F.21 Name: None Status: Displayed Last info: 2013

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History:
Air Training Corps, Perdiswell, Worcester, February 19, 1954-1967.
RAF Henlow, 1967-1968.
- Used in movie Battle of Britain for static scenes.
RAF Locking, September 1969-1986.
- Displayed on plinth as LA198/JX-C.
RAF Lechars, March 15, 1986-1989.
- Gate guard as LA198/RAI-G.
RAF St. Athans, April 5, 1989-1995.
- Stored pending disposal.
RAF Museum Store, RAF Cardington, 1995-1998.
- Stored.
City Of Glascow, Scotland, November 1996-2004.
- Arrived dismantled, East Fortune, March 4, 1998.
-- Marked as LA198/RAI-G.
- Under restoration, East Fortune, 1998-2002.
Museum of Transport, Glasgow, September 17, 2003-2006.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgowm July 2006-2013.
- Hanging in main hall.

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After a long chat with one of the museum guides, who gave us lots of info on Glasgow and what to see and do, where to stay and where to travel to from Glasgow we decided we had better get going as we still had a bit of a walk back to the hotel. 

It turned out to be another delight so I will do a Day1 part 2.