Today our tour takes us to Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument. The latter celebrates William Wallace's famous victory over the English in 1297 at Stirling Bridge.

Labels: Stirlingshire

posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:56 AM  0 comments

Today, I am presenting an image of the Moulin Hotel which is a combined pub, hotel and micro-brewery located in Moulin near Pitlochry, Perthshire, Scotland. Here we enjoyed a good bar meal in convivial surroundings.

Labels: perthshire

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:11 PM  0 comments

Today our tour group visited Ardoch Roman Fort, which dates from about AD70.
Very impressive earthworks.

posted by Nigel Cole @ 6:58 AM  0 comments

This evening, I am presenting an image of one of the Gorbals' best known pubs, the Brazen Head located in Cathcart Road near to the Caledonia Road Church.

This pub is patronised by supporters of Celtic FC, one of Scotland's top soccer clubs. No doubt much celebration here tonight, as earlier today, Celtic beat their arch rivals, Rangers 1-0.


The following two images show the entrance to 'Durty Nellies' bar. It would be interesting to learn the origin of this bar's name!

Labels: gorbals

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:00 PM  0 comments

This morning I visited the Gorbals area of Glasgow to obtain images of grave markers for my separate ancestry blog. Because visibility was poor I was unable to obtain decent images of the surrounding buildings and architecture so I am presenting the images below which were taken just a few days ago.

Historically, the Gorbals has been a byword for social deprivation but during the 1960s and 1970s the slums were replaced by some very interesting modern buildings with attractive design.

Here is a very 'average' apartment block (social housing) which would appear to date from the 1960s.


This is more interesting and very recent. I like the subtle, contrasting colours.

Here is a tower block (possibly 1970s vintage) viewed through the avenue at the Southern Necropolis.


This attractive building can be found in the centre of the Gorbals.


This office block can be found on Caledonia Road.

Apartments on Caledonia Road

More residential architecture on Caledonia Road


I can arrange and provide architecture themed tours of Glasgow.

Labels: gorbals

posted by Nigel Cole @ 9:46 AM  0 comments

This evening, I am presenting some images of Glasgow's Southern Necropolis.

This is located close to the Gorbals area and is home to the last resting place of some 250,000 deceased in a space of some 21 acres.

The site was opened in 1840.

A fascinating pace with grave markers recording wealthy citizens of what was then an upscale area.

Winter view towards Hutchesontown and Glasgow City

View of the cemetery looking towards the Gorbals

Avenue of trees with view to the entrance and high rise block behind. Ancient and modern!

Formal entrance to cemetery. It is possible to drive a car through the entrance and around the site.

This site is a 'must' for visitors wishing to get an understanding of the people and history of the Gorbals and Hutchesontown.

Labels: gorbals

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:22 PM  0 comments

This evening, I have finally been successful in uploading some images of my recent visit to the Gorbals district of Glasgow. Historically, the name 'Gorbals' has been synonymous with extreme social deprivation but the area has now been transformed, certainly in terms of its housing conditions for what remains a local income area.

Here is one of the few remaining old tenement ( apartment) buildings for which the Gorbals was notorious.



This is a street sculpture named the 'Gorbals Boys' by Liz Peden and dates from Aug 29th 2008. The statues are named Joe, Nicky and Lee.



This is the entrance to the Southern Necropolis which holds the remains of wealthy citizens dating form the 18th and 19th centuries when this part of Glasgow was considered 'upscale'. Some of the memorials have been vandalised, albeit in the past, which adds a somewhat eerie tone to the the place, especially in the evenings. Would make a good film set for a horror movie!


Here is an example of some modern architecture at the junction of Caledonia Road and Laurieston Road. I find this very impressive and stylish.

This is 'Greek' Thomson's Caledonia Road Church dating from 1856-7 and is a building of national importance. It was gutted by fire in 1965. Interestingly, Thomson is buried just a few hundred yards (meters) away in the Southern Necropolis.

Here is a street scene showing the pub with tower blocks (social housing) in the distance.

This is a former church on Pollockshaws Road which is now used as a hostel for the homeless.

Here is the Brazen Head Pub at 1-3 Cathcart Road. This is patronised by Celtic supporters.

More Gorbals images and comment tomorrow.

Labels: gorbals

posted by Nigel Cole @ 2:57 AM  0 comments

This morning I undertook a tour of the Gorbals area of Glasgow, an area formerly notorious for poor housing and social problems. However, the area has since been transformed and now boast a very interesting selection of architecture.

I have lots of images to post, but regrettably, there seem to be technical problems with blogger.com tonight as a function of which it has taken about 1 hour to get just one image posted.

This is of the Gorbals Parish Church (Church of Scotland) located at 5 Cumberland Street.

Hopefully, Google will allow me to post a wider selection of images tomorrow.

Labels: gorbals

posted by Nigel Cole @ 1:32 PM  0 comments

This evening, I am posting more images of Glasgow's pubs. (Please bear in mind these images were taken during a heavy rain storm.)

The first two images are of Pivo Pivo located at 15-17 Waterloo Street. This establishment serves a selection of world beers and food.


This is the Rhoderick Dhu at 21-23 Waterloo Street. The bar is named after a Scottish Clan Chief.


More images to follow..

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 12:41 PM  0 comments

This morning my wife and I visited Clarkston farmers market, south Glasgow. Notwithstanding poor weather conditions the event was well patronised.

Here is a cheese and honey stall


Meat
This is the stall of Carmichael Estate Farm Meats, an enterprise which, allegedly, dates back to 1292.
Jam and bakery products

Products from olive oil
A selection of cheeses
Very popular bakery stall

The following two images show the products of Strathgaven Ales, a micro brewery located about 1 mile from the country town of Strathaven


Ostrich, venison and other meat products.

Vegetables


By coincidence, this farmers' market followed on from yesterday's market at Queen's Park. A different shopping experience to that offered by the supermarkets!

Labels: Glasgow

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:59 AM  0 comments

This morning, I took myself off to nearby Queen's Park ( south Glasgow) to visit the pre-Christmas Farmers' Market. These type of markets operate from stalls and tend to specialize in organic and rural produce direct from the producer.

First image evidences the heavy rainfall of yesterday with the local properties reflected in the flooded pathway at Queen's Park.


Here is a stall selling turkeys-birds, not banks or auto manufacturers!

Self-evident
Organic bread

A stall selling olive based products. I am not aware that Scotland possesses many olive groves, but with climate change, maybe one day!

Pork, Lamb and Beef

Bread
Seasonal vegetables
General view of stalls

This gentleman is selling blueberry juice and raspberry juice. He is a good salesman-he persuaded me to buy a bottle on the strength of a free sample.


General overview of the market stalls.

Overall, I enjoyed myself and by chance met up with a business acquaintance. The market was well patronised by the local community.

Labels: Glasgow South

posted by Nigel Cole @ 11:27 AM  0 comments