Land of quilts, bagpipes and deep fried mars bars - Scotland

From the Casino where we had our formal dinner

Just been back from Glasgow. My first time venturing there… So, I took a coach from Sheffield to Glasgow city and trust me when I say this - "YOU DO NOT WANNA DO THIS EVER." With that if you still want to travel by coach since it saves money, I warn you that it is a total of 7 hours journey on national express service or mega bus. Taking pre-booked trains are way more time saving and could be equally economical. However, the problem I had with train was that I would have had to change it 2-3 times in between the two destination, so here we go. Anyway, I think I don't mind it after all. I got to sleep almost all throughout my journey, had the most amazing cheesecake on our stop AND saw some extremely breathtaking country sides with acres of bright yellow rapeseed fields, vast fields of wild daffodils, lovely green hill sides, sheep and lambs grazing merrily without a care in the world in grazing meadows, oh and wind turbines… Lots and lots of wind turbines!!!

Well, I say Scotland but honestly there were only two places I actually came across or visited: country side and Glasgow. Anyway, there is always restrictions on a tight schedule but that shouldn't keep you from enjoying your best none the less. Have a look through the scenic pictures of the countryside…

Not sure they are planted or just happened to grow on their own, all I can say is that I never saw as many daffodils as on my way to Glasgow.

Here was the view from the restaurant we had a short stop in right after entering Scotland… Gave me chills to how much it reminded me of Harry Potter and his train journeys… The woods, the fields, the hills… Absolutely wonderful.

Non-chalant seagulls

My camera can be seen on the window reflection :p

Blueberry cheesecake. This might be THE BEST cheesecake I have ever eaten… EVER!

The fast moving world, who has time to stop and smell the flowers?

Wind turbines 

Glasgow, meaning "Dear green place" or "green hollow" in Gaelic, is the largest city of Scotland, being the 4th largest in the UK. It used to be a major trading hub for Scottish and Americans back in the 18th century. Currently, it is quite big on shipbuilding, what with industrialisation of River Clyde since the renaissance period, and also on harvesting wind energy using enormous (but not as big as Austrian) wind turbines both on land and offshore.

The coat of armour reminds me of the story where a fish swallowed the golden ring… Lol!

Well, it represents miracles that were to be performed by Saint Mungo (at the top of the red and white feathered armour), traditionally rhymed as: 

"Here's the bird that never flew,

Here's the tree that never grew,

Here's the bell that never rang,

Here's the fish that never swam…"

Where the bird is a red-crested robin, the bell is St. Mungo's bell and the fishes are salmons bearing gold rings in their mouth.

Right at the entrance of the City Chambers

Glasgow is quite segregated with whole lot of places to see in very many parts far and wide with the likes of River Clyde, the beautiful bridges, Clyde Arc, various canals leading to St. Mungo's Church, the famous Doulton's fountain, People's Palace in Galsgow green, and fantastic architectural marvels like Lord Foster's Clyde auditorium. Glasgow has a lot to offer as a tourist attraction especially interested in sight-seeing (like me)... Unfortunately I had in total only 2 (but not whole) days to see as much as I possibly could amidst my 9 to 6 work. Thankfully, the work was based at the heart of the city, near George  Square which, for those of you who don't have any idea about Glasgow, is the civic square, a central hub for shopping centres, City Chambers/Council, hotels, pubs, casino and Universities, named after King George III, situated not too far away from the River Clyde. It has statues of many a great scientists, engineers, philosophers, politician, and even has the only equestrian statue of young Queen Victoria.

The pictures taken are mostly of the George square:

City chambers

Intricate ceiling design in City Chamber

Chamber hall

Appeal of old roman buildings with the touch of modern busy life, I think Strathclyde (Glasgow) is a commercial haven to be happily working in. Everything, at least in that particular spot, is at a walking distance and so commuting can never get more easy.

Politics always finds its way… scottish politician James Oswald

In the middle of the square is the 80-foot tall column with author Walter Scott at the apex erected in 1837.

Walter Scott always has a high vantage point

City Chambers from George Square

One of the most renowned scottish engineer/inventors, James Watt.

Like I said, there is something for every one, historians, sight-seeing tourist, engineers and even art lovers such as this modern art museum with lovely mosaic decoration.

Oh and also shenanigans, right in front of the museum

There is still ALOT to see and do. Scotland is so rich in history and castles (remember "Braveheart"?) and I still have to wear the traditional quilt and play on the bagpipes… I am certain to return soon. But I may pass on the deep fried mars bars unless someone would like to share it :p…

Well, I have already planned out where to go and what to do for my next visit there. Edinburgh, Aberdeen and all the northern parts of Scotland… And don't forget Skyfall! See you soon Glasgow…

Chi mi a dh'aithghearr sibh!

Well folks,

Only so much for now. Will keep you posted for more…


Love always,

Your eager globe-totter

aJBcj