Glasgow – Look Up!

by Ian Noble

To get to know a place like Glasgow, you have to tramp around a bit. There are lots of shops, of course – Buchanan, Argyle and Sauchiehall streets are the credit card hotspots. But if that’s all you do then you’ll miss the point – look up! Columns, carvings and reflections – this is Glasgow!

To get your bearings, head for Mackintosh’s ‘Lighthouse’ and see a European city of roof gardens, domes and spires. Nearby, the Merchant City presents Wellington – resplendent in traffic cone topper – guarding the entrance to the Gallery of Modern Art. New ideas and classic style fuse with a decent cup of coffee.

The irreverence of this city is fascinating; a place where shipbuilders fought for their dignity, and where George Square remains a rallying place for the outraged as well as the outrageous. But the pavement cafés reveal the Glaswegians’ optimism and continental heart.

Head towards Trongate and the city centre’s sparkle looks like it could be wearing off. But keep looking up and even the rundown fascias are whispering stories. Above the amusement arcade the recently rediscovered Panoptican Music Hall is getting a facelift. Young Stan Laurel made his debut here in 1906.

The Tron Theatre clock confirms you’re at the ancient Gallowgate, where if you’re lucky they’d just ‘pin your lugs back’ to the door. But if you want your ears pierced these days, or anything else from a tattoo, rare comic or airfix kit – you’re in the right part of town! From here it’s up to the Cathedral and Necropolis – a Gothic paradise where you’ve never seen so many dead Victorians resting in such splendour!

Sip a frothy coffee in an Italian café booth at Dino’s and soak up the patter of weary shoppers and exuberant travellers. But bring a raincoat, eh? Just in case!

For a sneak preview of what you’ll see if you look up in Glasgow, take a peek at Ian’s fabulous snapshots at:

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/ian.noble001/GlasgowLookUpIanNoble?feat=directlink

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.