“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

The quote, if you don't recognise it, is from Han Solo in Star Wars. Han, like myself, can be a bit of a sceptic when it comes to religion. And yet there is one area in Glasgow which is nothing other than religious that pulls me back time and again. The Cathedral Precinct. Finding religion in my old age? Who knows but this is definitely a special place to visit. Decided to hop off the bus couple of stops early today and go there on the way to the office. Hope you enjoy the photos of what I saw "The Day"

First thing is to cover where we are in Glasgow. Castle Street.
Castle? But Glasgow doesn't have a castle. But it used to have.
Right in front of where the Cathedral is stood Glasgow Castle or the Bishop's Castle.

This is the marker today of where the castle used to stand. First records of the castle are from the 13th century but it fell into disrepair during the 17th century and was finally demolished in 1789 to make way for the Glasgow Royal Infirmary hospital. This is a real what if thing for me. What if they had kept Glasgow Castle? Standing at the top of High Street. How amazing would that have been?
But the Cathedral Precinct is very special even without the castle...

Couple of photos of Glasgow Cathedral or St. Mungo's Cathedral. St. Mungo is the patron saint and founder of the city of Glasgow. The symbol you see on the street lights depicts his four miracles:

Here is the bird that never flew
Here is the tree that never grew
Here is the bell that never rang
Here is the fish that never swam

You will see different versions of this symbol all over Glasgow as it is part of the city coat of arms.

The Cathedral is a truly magnificent building. Such a huge space inside with beautiful sculptures and stained glass. Today the church organ was playing. I maybe a religious sceptic but it really does take your breath away.

Can't really do the beauty of the stained glass justice here but hope this enough to make you want to go see it.

Another photo taken inside the cathedral. Forgot to switch on flash so only got light from the window. But when looked at it later it turned out strangely haunting. See what you think.

This is a place I always stop for a couple of minutes in the Cathedral Precinct. It's a plaque to commemorate the lives of those lost in the Piper Alpha disaster. I was a student working for a petroleum company in 1988 when it happened. Like many people will not forget this tragedy and like to just make a point of coming here when I'm in the area.

After being in the Cathedral Precinct had a walk over to the Necropolis. This is the large Victorian cemetery on the hill behind the Cathedral. Now people I speak to are a bit mixed about graveyards. They think it can be a bit morbid going there. But the Necropolis is a special place. A beautiful place. Think you need to look at each of the headstones and monuments as a celebration of a life. Won't post up lots of pictures here but if you never been here then it worth a visit. The angel above is only one of the beautiful sculptures amongst hundreds.

The view from the Necropolis is also something special. Get great view of the Cathedral...

... and also the Glasgow Royal Infirmary hospital. This in itself is a very unique building built in 1794. I doubt there is a family in Glasgow that has not had someone looked after here. I know from my own family we owe the doctors and nurses here a huge thank you.

Will post up one headstone. This one has always intrigued me. It says : "Joseph F. Gomoszynski, Lieutenant, in the late Polish Army who fought for the Independance of his country in 1830 and died in exile in Greenock 27th October 1845 Aged 32" Around the crest it says : "Boze zbaw Polsk" (God save Poland).

I have wondered about this man. This life story. If he died aged 32 in 1845 then he must only have been 17 when fighting in 1830? 1830 it the year of the November Uprising in Poland and he must have been part of that. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/November_Uprising

I have a romantic image of a young Polish office fighting for his country and having to flee to this strange Scottish land. As I said each monument is a celebration of a life.

See http://www.glasgownecropolis.org/ for more information including tours.

Final part of the tour round the Cathedral was the the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Art and Life. This is a fantastic museum just dedicated to telling the story of the world's religions and beliefs. This photo above is at the back of the museum and shows a clooty tree and a zen garden with the Cathedral in the background. A clooty tree is a tree where you tie a little bit of material on it for good luck. You can add your own one when you visit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clootie_well

Shiva, Ganesh and Buddha. St Mungo's has wonderful exhibits from all around the world showing all aspects of faith.

What is the point of art if it is not to make you feel some kind of emotion? St. Mungo's also contains some amazing art work. This is a painting which is part of an exhibition named Famine by Peter Howson which is currently on display. It was part inspired by the Irish Potato Famine but is equally applicable to the many in the world that suffer and die from hunger to this day.

Really is a powerful set of paintings. Go along and see for yourself if you can.

So that's what I saw in Glasgow "The Day".

As you can see from the photos there is quite a diversity of images there for such a small area of Glasgow. And once again very different from Virginia Street or Buchanan Street or the Science Centre area. Can't help but feel inspired when you visit here. I know I did today. Getting religion in my old age ? Even Han Solo believes in the Force by the end of the movie :)