Glasgow. Day 2.

Wednesday April 24th.

Another glorious morning, weather wise.

We set off for Queen Street Railway station to have a look around. The route went via Buchanan Street and Georges Square. Such wonderful buildings and gardens. We were admiring the architecture in the square when we were stopped by a local and asked if we spoke English. This was because we were obvious tourists as locals tend to look down heading to work whereas we were looking up and taking pictures. We spoke for about 30 minutes, reminiscing about old Glasgow, about Manchester United and he was on his way to Dubai to help his daughter out who was caught up in the terrible flooding there. We could have chatted longer but we sadly had to move on.

Queen street station was quiet even with the morning rush, we didn't stay too long as it isn't as elaborate as Central.

Our plan for today was to go to Glasgow Cathedral and to the Necropolis which we had seen in numerous documentaries and films on TV. We made our way past the Town Hall, another stunning building, past the University buildings until we came across many more murals which had to be photographed. We even had to wait at some of them until a crowd of Australian Tourists had finished admiring the art work.

Then it was uphill along High Street, aptly named, directly to the Cathedral and the oldest house still surviving in Glasgow.

The Cathedral doesn't charge to enter unlike the counterparts in England. It didn't let us down, just a fabulous place to visit. It is the oldest Cathedral on mainland Scotland and it is the oldest building in Glasgow. This Cathedral and St. Magnus in Orkney are the only two medieval Cathedrals in Scotland to escape the destruction during the reformation period.

The Cathedral is dedicated to St Mungo the patron saint of Glasgow, it dates from 1136 but the current building is mainly 13th Century. The tomb of St. Mungo is still in the lower part of the Cathedral and can be visited.

From the Cathedral it is only a short walk across the Bridge of Sighs into the Necropolis where some of the biggest grave architecture can be found, showing just what a rich city Glasgow was. There are 50,000 internments here and it is possible to get on a guided tour of the cemetery. We just wandered around at leisure. Not every grave has a stone and not every grave has a name. There are approx. 3500 major monuments. The cemetery was declared "Full" in1851.

Names of the more famous are John Knox, John Henry Alexander, Charles Tennant and the author of the famous "Wee Willie Winkie" William Miller. There's a whole list on Wikipedia if anyone wishes to read the whole list.

There is also a small Jewish Cemetery just outside of the Christian site. It was restored in 2015 and contains 57 burials.

The Jewish Burial ground.

We found a nice spot with a view for lunch before chatting to a couple from Miami who were complaining that it was too hot here! What! 

From here we walked the short distance to the oldest house which was again free entry. We were given a brief introduction the history of the building by a guide and then we wandered around on our own.

It's a fascinating building. I don't know why it was rendered because it wasn't originally. If I had noticed earlier I would have asked the guide.***

Provand's Lordships Manse was built in 1471. It has recently re-opened to the public after a £1.6 million refurb. It is said to be the oldest medieval building in Glasgow but there is an argument that Easterhouse Proven Hall is 10 yrs older. It owes its building to the Bishop of Glasgow Dr Andrew Muirhead who's coat of arms are on the side of the building.

The rear of the building which is a walled garden grew herbs and plants for medicines for the hospital nearby. Now the gardens are a quiet area where you can go and sit and contemplate life.

Inside, the building is mainly furnished with 17th century furniture and many royal portraits hang on the walls. It has had a number of building changes over the years from clergy housing to shops and even a public house. 

A 15th century latch

A Bonnie Picture.

A young Mary Queen of Scots.

Dick Dastardly or his correct name Lord Darnley

A beautifully engineered 15th century Door latch and handle.

Everyone who walked into this room, jumped. It was so real.

The Herb Garden

They must have been small in the 15th century. Sheila is only 5ft 2inches.

Chair from 1657.

Pub days.

*** I have since found out that the rendering was applied due to damp penetrating the old brickwork.

Here are two old photo's of what it was built like. 

That concluded our time in Glasgow. It has been a wonderful trip and there is no doubt that we will return next year as there is so much to see. To be honest Glasgow has been a real eye opener and credit has to go to the local people and the planning and development committees who have a done a great job.