Glasgow, Scotland


Well, we slept in again this morning and had the "free continental breakfast," so we're on our way out, shortly.


When we arrived yesterday, Saturday, we spent the day in Glasgow, Ireland. It's origin is as far back as c 518 with King Kentigem, or Mungo for the common name. The church that was commissioned by him, in his honor is huge and FULL of smaller chapels below the ground, or lower level. We came upon a wedding that was taking place in the same Episcopalian church, traditional Kilt dress for the groom.


Eventually, people settled here in burghs and the area grew! With the east coast of Scotland suffering war damage, the west coast prospered, so did Glasgow. By 187o, the immigrants including Irish Scots increased as well, bringing their talents that relate to wool linen. Sadly, this housing is what we would hate, one room for the entire family and a shared "toilet" down the hall. Disease and filth was the rule rather than the exception. The history of one religious group against another was common as were social uprising in the famous George Square.


Somewhere around the 1930's, there was a community that became known as the Gorbals. The name from something Gaelic, and sadly a community of people that were lepers. These people actually rang bells as they entered towns to warn others of their entrance; how sad. We stopped right in this area to taste confectionery treats from the oldest sweet store in the UK and then off to eat at Polish restaurant. Great soup!!!

candy Polish lunch/ dinner


I was unaware that at one time, there were well over 1.5 million people in that city. At one time it was the largest ship building area in Britain. After the economy began to take a dive back in the 1960's its population struggled and decreased rapidly. Of course, there is a large river that ruins through their community, which ash since been going through renovation of the tenements have become some very modern "flats." ( A fire broke out in one of these older tenements here in Edinburgh this morning, where a firefighter lost his life.)



New hotels along the River Clyde


The tour we took was on one of those large double decker buses, with an audio that was great! The town center is a central plaza with important buildings, and monuments for relevant people as well. Interesting enough, King George was suppose to be on the top of a prominent monument, but he had recently lost the colonies, so his statue was not worthy or "appropriate," said the guide. For this reason, there is a statue of a well respected writer....



Along the River Clyde, one of the older buildings that was left included the Newark Castle, built in 1478, used to help load and unload ships that had come in to town. Now one of the side buildings serves as a restaurant, old... but beautiful reflection of the city's older life. Just beyond this building, there is a new modern building that the town's people call the Armadillo. It's funny looking,too.


Eventually, this city was awarded the European City of Culture. It must have been when they began to clean the tenements and discovered the 3 types of surface, outer white tile, pink colored stone and then something like a browner stone. The buildings covered with the white tile were those of the more wealthy.


There were many buildings related to their very old university, Glasgow University, quite beautiful!!! We saw some guys doing something like grass bowling, can't recall the name of the official game.




Ok, we're off now..... Edinburgh Castle today and then maybe the Hard Rock Cafe as well. Samantha has managed to hit all of them so far.