walk/explore, Glasgow

Favorite thing: I'd like to encourage you all to walk around in Glasgow and look at all the beautiful buildings, but also to feel the atmosphere in the city.

For instance: when I walked down Sauchiehall Street my first day in Glasgow I stumbled on some street musicians, but these weren't the ordinary kind of guitar and "streets of London"-singing people, but rather 4 extremely talented youngsters playing classical music. It was sooooo nice!

Favorite thing: Walking around and exploring the quaint town centre and its various shops... not quite the same as the big shopping malls of Glasgow, but an interesting experience nonetheless...

Fondest memory: In the pic, under the clock-- my neice and nephew- Sara and Husain

Favorite thing: A kind of 'warning' and 'transportation' tip:

As you can see from my photograph, and the map (website below), the motorway cuts through Glasgow.

Map:
http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=260000.95476465&Y=665000.295311887&width=700&height=400&client=public&gride=259174.95476465&gridn=665740.295311887&srec=0&coordsys=gb&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&scale=50000&in.x=8&in.y=7

The best way to explore Glasgow is on foot but obviously you can only cross the motorway in a few places, and it is noisy / unpleasant.

Driving into Glasgow is easy off-peak but rush hour congestion is commonplace, and parking is expensive. Also, it can be intimidating being on a 6 lane highway, not knowing if your exit is left or right.

Tip: Avoid the M8. Leave your car out.

Fondest memory: That drunk man lunging at me with a bottle ... no wait, thats not fair on Glasgow, ... the free museums (I was like a child in a sweet shop) ... the Youth Hostel being an hotel and friendly and cheap, ... shopping for wedding clothes ... really good shops in beautiful arcades (no, not Enochs!!!) ... the Film Theatre, ... Sushi, ... and the airport - my gateway to the world.

The drunk, by the way, missed my head, smashing the bottle into the wall behind. But that happens anywhere, and hey, he missed! Other cities it'd be a gun. Glasgow is cool.

Favorite thing: Here is a web map for you to view the centre of Glasgow - this covers most of it.

Zoom out to see the West End, Zoom in for Street names etc.

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?X=260000.95476465&Y=665000.295311887&width=700&height=400&client=public&gride=259174.95476465&gridn=665740.295311887&srec=0&coordsys=gb&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&local=&scale=50000&in.x=8&in.y=7

Just copy and paste the above, to view a map.

Fondest memory: Architecture!

This photo is of Buchanan Street, looking South. Gordon Street is to the right of camera, walk down this to reach Central Station.

Favorite thing: The Westend of Glasgow is my favourite place in the world. It is the student part of town where all the best bars, restaurants, parks, museums and buildings are. It is beautiful during every season, but I think I prefer it during Autumn when I can walk down Kelvin Way with the leaves crunching under my feet. The scent of Autumn here is amazing, especially in Kelvingrove.

Fondest memory: I miss the friendly people, the warm welcome, the choice of activities, the fantastic art and architecture, the nightlife and above all, the familiarity of Glasgow.

Favorite thing: This is so difficult! There are so many places to visit in Glasgow I can't pick up just one...however, I think visiting St. George Sq. is something you should do, to get to know the most important buildings, then a walk down St. Vincent Street & a stop in one of the pubs...

Fondest memory: We had a great time in the city, Mrs. Morrison, the landlady of the B&B made us feel at ease & like if we were at home, and we appreciate that very much, for when you're far away from home that's exactly what you need!

Favorite thing: have a walk in the west end, especially if the weather is nice (yes it happens !) go to the Botanic Garden, have a drink in ashton lane (behind Byres Road).
Go to the light house, it is a museum in an alley next to Buchanan Street, there you can find much of Mackintosh's work, if you want to see one of his masterpiece, go and have a look at the School of Art behind Sauchiall Street.

Fondest memory: The different Pubs !! just because there really is an effort about the decoration
ie : don't miss The Corinthian (Ingram street) and Arta (old cheese market - merchant city) those two are a MUST SEE.+ there you can meet with a bunch of scottish people, the grrrreatest people in Europe so far.

Favorite thing: Just walk around the city. It's a little spread out so it'll take a while but it's a great way to take in a lot of neat old buildings. A walk through Kelvingrove park on the way to the museum is really nice too. The difference between Glasgow and Edinburgh is that though they both have a beautiful historic side, Glasgow has a gritty side that is lacking in Edinburgh. A walk through the working class area with it's numerous pubs and restaurants can be just as much fun as seeing the more picturesque side of the city.

Fondest memory: Walking through one of the rougher areas of the city we saw a sign on the door of one of the pubs reading 'No Colous'. We were all a little confused until it dawned on Scott that it refered to team colours. Glasgow is home to two of the top Rugby clubs and it seems things can get a bit heated between the fans. Not knowing whether we were wearing team colours or not, we decided to keep walking. :)