The sun was shining brighter then ever this morning. So decided to go for an extra long walk before heading into job hunting mode. Where better than Glasgow Green?
Glasgow Green is Glasgow's oldest park and can trace it's history back to 1450 when James II granted the Green to use as common grazing ground. Today it is a beautiful big public park with a lot of interesting features. Tried to cover as many as I could.
So what is there to see there "The Day"...
Well first thing to say is that most of the company I had on this tour was people walking their dogs. Hence the title above. Poodles, boxers, alsations, spaniels, every shape and size. I will need to come back one day and just do a blog on the dogs and their owners. The dog in the picture is however not actually a mad dog at all. She was more sensible than me and stayed in the shade while this deranged Scotsman wandered about baking in the sun and taking photos. This dog is actually a fantastic wee bundle of fun called Rosie. She was playing next to the People's Palace. Just had to get a photo of her with the Palace and Templeton factory behind her. Her owner Lyndsay was a lovely person who was fortunate enough to have a day off to catch some rays on a sunny Glasgow day. It does normally always rains when you get a day off!! Lyndsay also gave me the recommendation to go see St. Andrew's church. Thank you for that. But will cover that later ... here are the other features to see around the Green ...
This is the entrance at the west end of the Glasgow Green. What a fantastic introduction to the park!!
This arch was originally the centre piece of the Assembly Rooms building designed by James and Robert Adam. When they were demolished in 1890, the arch was reconstructed and sited at the western end of Monteith Row at the expense of James McLennan, it was then moved again in 1922 and then again in 1991 it was moved to its present position facing the Old High Court in the Saltmarket. Now it is known as "The McLennan Arch".
This is the weir across the Clyde.
In 1901, in an effort to maintain the water level of the Clyde as it runs through the Green, Glasgow Corporation built a tidal weir. This also creates the unusual system of two distinct ecosystems existing side by side, with the Clyde on the west side of the weir being saltwater, while it is fresh water on the east side (the park side). Due to its design the weir is now a listed building. And being 108 years old it is actually slighty older than the other famous old Glasgow weir, Davie Weir (Wee joke there for the football fans) :)
The story goes that James Watt was wandering around Glasgow Green in 1765 when the inspiration for the seperate condenser for the steam engine came to him. This was one of the major inventions of the industrial revolution. This stone is here to commemorate this moment of genius.
The real jewel in the crown of Glasgow Green. The People's Palace.
This is a museum and glasshouse opened in 1898 by the Earl of Roseby.
Lord Rosebery said it was: "A palace of pleasure and imagination around which the people may place their affections and which may give them a home on which their memory may rest". He declared the building "Open to the people for ever and ever".
People's Palace also contains exhibits from Scottish show business. Here is a picture of Billy Connelly and his famous banana boots.
There is a whole area of the palace devoted to Scotland at War. Above is an Anderson bomb shelter from World War 2. My mum actually remembers being taken to one of these during a bombing raid on the steel works near where she lived as a child. Makes you realise that this is not that long ago.
Palm trees in Glasgow??
This is the weir across the Clyde.
In 1901, in an effort to maintain the water level of the Clyde as it runs through the Green, Glasgow Corporation built a tidal weir. This also creates the unusual system of two distinct ecosystems existing side by side, with the Clyde on the west side of the weir being saltwater, while it is fresh water on the east side (the park side). Due to its design the weir is now a listed building. And being 108 years old it is actually slighty older than the other famous old Glasgow weir, Davie Weir (Wee joke there for the football fans) :)
Towering over the centre of the park is this impressive obelisk. It was built in 1806 as a monument to the victories of Admiral Horatio Nelson who died at Trafalar a year earlier. This makes it the oldest monument to Nelson in the UK.
The story goes that James Watt was wandering around Glasgow Green in 1765 when the inspiration for the seperate condenser for the steam engine came to him. This was one of the major inventions of the industrial revolution. This stone is here to commemorate this moment of genius.
The real jewel in the crown of Glasgow Green. The People's Palace.
This is a museum and glasshouse opened in 1898 by the Earl of Roseby.
Lord Rosebery said it was: "A palace of pleasure and imagination around which the people may place their affections and which may give them a home on which their memory may rest". He declared the building "Open to the people for ever and ever".
It is a fantastic place to visit and is full of exibits covering all aspects of Glaswegian culture. Here are just a few below.
"The Steamie". An example of the equipment used in communal laundries that used to be common in Glasgow. These laundries were centres for local gossip and being "the talk of the Steamie" is still a phrase sometimes heard in Glasgow if you do something worthy of gossip.
People's Palace also contains exhibits from Scottish show business. Here is a picture of Billy Connelly and his famous banana boots.
There is a whole area of the palace devoted to Scotland at War. Above is an Anderson bomb shelter from World War 2. My mum actually remembers being taken to one of these during a bombing raid on the steel works near where she lived as a child. Makes you realise that this is not that long ago.
These are the stunning Winter Gardens. A beautiful glasshouse at the back of the palace. Looked extra special today with the sun streaming in.
The Doulton fountain at the entrance to the People's Palace. This is the largest terracotta fountain still in existense in the world. It was built in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria's reign.
Took a walk down the side of the Clyde which borders the southern side if the Green. You get a fantastic view down the Clyde back towards the city centre. The bridge in the foreground is the St. Andrew's Suspension Bridge built in 1855.
The Templeton Carpet factory on the edge of the Green. It was built in 1889 and was inspired by the Doge's Palace in Venice. It is now converted into flats and bars. It truly is a beautiful building.
Was also lucky enough today to catch sight of the Glasgow Council heavy horse team. Such beautiful, powerful animals. Tried to get another photo of them but believe me they can move pretty fast!! :)
The Doulton fountain at the entrance to the People's Palace. This is the largest terracotta fountain still in existense in the world. It was built in 1888 to commemorate Queen Victoria's reign.
Took a walk down the side of the Clyde which borders the southern side if the Green. You get a fantastic view down the Clyde back towards the city centre. The bridge in the foreground is the St. Andrew's Suspension Bridge built in 1855.
The Templeton Carpet factory on the edge of the Green. It was built in 1889 and was inspired by the Doge's Palace in Venice. It is now converted into flats and bars. It truly is a beautiful building.
Was also lucky enough today to catch sight of the Glasgow Council heavy horse team. Such beautiful, powerful animals. Tried to get another photo of them but believe me they can move pretty fast!! :)
For those familiar with Glasgow Green hope that brought back some good memories and make you want to go there again soon. For those who have never seen it I hope it gives you a wee insight into what a special place it is. Especially the People's Palace.
I did take Lyndsay' s advice and went to see St. Andrews church. And she was so very right, it is beautiful. But had so many of these other photos to post today so will go back to St. Andrew's another day. Want to do it justice. When I was there the clock in St. Andrew's spire chimed one o'clock. A lovely sound. But also one that told me I had been walking for longer than I realised. Time to get back to the job hunting (and before I turned into a pumpkin :) ) So headed back across town. Another amazing day in an amazing city.
I remember taking part in a corporate rowing challenge at the club on The Green. The club have been there for a long time .. 150 years !! http://www.clydesdalearc.org.uk
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