Glasgow revisited: Part 1

my friend Oya hasn't been back to Glasgow since she left the place in early 90s.  when she decided to come to UK & revisit Glasgow after  her Eastern European backpacking tour, I decided to go with her. well, its been 20 years since she left and Glasgow has changed so much, I guess she needed a tour guide! we were looking at train tickets but then I remember  flybe advert on the radio. I checked their website and for £70 return for an hour flight, its quicker and cheaper than taking the train!

oya had to fly to Amsterdam on 9th april while I was going to Cornwall with the family on the same date, we then decided to leave for Glasgow on sunday (6th april) night, so at least we get to spend 2 full days going round Glasgow and Edinburgh. we stayed with our friend Gee who lives in Fenwick, a conservation village about half hour drive from Glasgow.

we went around Glasgow on the subway or on foot..Glasgow subway was opened in1896, the third oldest underground metro system in the world after London underground and Budapest metro

 so whats new about Glasgow weather huh?? always keep a brolly or raincoat in your bag all the time.

the one building/place  that was on my list to visit - the new Riverside Museum (dubbed as Glasgow's Guggenheim) which provides new home for Glasgow's transport collection and replace the previous Transport museum at Kelvinhall. this building was designed by Zaha Hadid (the architect for London Aquatic centre), opened in june 2011.  the best part is, there is no fee to enter the museum!

 moored outside the museum is the 19th century sailing ship, Glasgow's Tall Ship, the Glenlee.  the easiest way to get to the Riverside Museum & Tall Ship is by subway & stop at Partick Station, and walk for about 10-15 minutes.

 

as it is homecoming for Oya, one of the must visit places is George Square. we went into Glasgow City Chamber which was built in 1888. the interior was really beautiful and it is opened to public and offers guided tour.

  

 

our other stop is The Lighthouse which is Scotland's centre for design and architecture. Formerly housing The Glasgow Herald, The Lighthouse was the first public commission completed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh who was a Scottish architect, designer, water colourist and artist. he also designed The Willow Tearoom in 1904.  

 

 

the last stop was  Glasgow Central Station.. beautiful building!