So that left lunch time to have a wee walk about in Glasgow.
Finally decided to go looking for a couple of things I missed last time I was up in Garnethill.
The first was the Chookie Burdies on the lamposts and the other was the Tenement House.
Ok here are the Chookie Burdies. They are on top of all the lamposts around Garnethill. How did I miss them last time ? Once someone points them out then they are everywhere!! Took a photo of these two on the lampost next to the Beresford Art Deco building. Hope you can make them out. Liked the red lines of the building in the background. The Chookie Burdies were sculpted by Shona Kinloch who also did the "As Proud As..." statue next to Princes Square and "Thinking of Bella" in the Italian Centre. Becoming a fan of her work. It's quirky and just appeals on so many levels. And once you notice these wee birds really cheers you up to see them up there. There is a couple more pieces of her work in Glasgow that I'm going to seek out.
Happy at finding the burdies I now headed over to Beccleuch Street to see the Tenement House. Found out it didn't open till 1pm so went for a wee walk while waiting around Garnethill and the area around.
Above is the view from Garnethill over to Park Circus. Although not in this shot you can see all the towers including Glasgow University. "Glasgow's skyline".
There really are some interesting little corners all around Garnethill. Suppose this is a good time to get the "Glasgow Street Names" by Carol Foreman out again and explain the origins of Garnethill. This is actually the highest hill in the city and used to be called Summerhill. A Dr. Thomas Garnet purchased part of Summerhill to build his house and from then on the hill got named after him. Simple as that.
As you walk about here on a sunny day though Summerhill does seem to fit it better.
This is just one of the "little corners" above. Seems to be a bit of a random sculpture of a head on a building at the bottom of Renfrew Street.
A collector's item now ? Sign on the back of a building down also at the bottom of Renfrew Street.
And next to it is this striking row of houses which are now all hotels. Many with names relating to Charles Rennie Mackintosh not surprisingly since their proximity to the School of Art.
A collector's item now ? Sign on the back of a building down also at the bottom of Renfrew Street.
Other end of Renfrew Street and here is another St. Andrews Church. This one a lovely little Roman Catholic chapel just tucked away next to the Glasgow School of Art.
And next to it is this striking row of houses which are now all hotels. Many with names relating to Charles Rennie Mackintosh not surprisingly since their proximity to the School of Art.
And another thing hadn't noticed before. This mural at the Glasgow School of Art. "May your dreams be the stuff that your life is made of"
Looks kind of a scary dream actually. But is a lovely piece of street art.
After wandering around up on Garnethill for a while decided to head across Charing Cross and head up to St. George's Cross then loop back round. So why the photo of a ladder ?
This was up against the wall at the Lexus garage and caused a funny moment when myself and 2 people coming in the other direction all stopped to let each other past. Not one of us would walk under the ladder. We looked at each other and laughed then one of the women said, "we are all superstitious aren't we?" :)
It's funny that here we are in the 21st century and 3 adults wouldn't walk under a ladder for fear of bad luck!! :)
Maybe an interesting discussion for a few comments. Would you ?
Anyway, made my way up to St. George's Cross. Wanted to get a photo of this guy. St. George himself slaying the Dragon. Though he was having a bit more trouble with the pigeons today!I have always liked this statue since I first saw it here (been here since 1988), though never had a photo of it till today. It just such a magical story and this statue really captures the movement of the combatants. Stories of dragons and knights are part of all our childhoods and something about them still appeal to me. As I said the other day we all need a little bit of magic in our lives!
Seemingly this statue dates from 1897 and used to be part of the facade of the St. George's Co-op Society building.
St. George was actually said to be a Christian Roman soldier who was beheaded for protesting against the torture of fellow Christians and refusing to give up his faith. The dragon story was attributed to him in the middle ages.
Now this was tempting to me. Standing at St. George's Cross looking down the long straight Great Western Road. Those beautiful church steeples calling to me. But if I started walking that way I would be going for miles and wouldn't make it to the Tenement House. Resist!!
Great Western Road added to list for some other day.
Is this Glasgow's answer to Flatiron building in New York?
Moving back in a loop from St. George's cross you get a great view over towards Speirs Wharf at the Forth and Clyde canal and the chimney of the famous Port Dundas Distillery. That is the distillery that was said to be under threat of closure in the news last week.
Functional art ? Just snapped this shot while crossing under the M8 motorway. The pattern of the concrete and the pillars just appealed to me. Almost like a giant version of the cloisters at the University?
Now after crossing under the M8 you are in Glasgow's own Chinatown. This not as big as Chinatowns in many other cities but it still has it's own distinct feel with many of the signs being in Chinese and English. And of course a Chinese gate pictured above.
Second dragon statue seen today. Though luckily St. George isn't trying to slay this one.
Just next to the Chinese gate is this distinctive building. Perhaps this more Glasgow's answer to the Flatiron in New York? This really is a striking building in the junction between Shamrock Street and New City Road next to Stow College. This used to be a Glasgow Saving Bank building. Round the side you can still make out the letters spelling out Savings Bank. It is covered in sculptures and detail. Seems to be empty now?
And just over from the bank is the equally striking Dundas Court building. I have passed this building so many times in Cowcaddens over the years. But can't seem to find any history for it online or in books? Anyone know what this building for built for? Seems to be for let at the moment?
And finally back round to the Tenement House. Now can only show you photos of the outside as this is a National Trus for Scotland building and they don't allow photos of the inside but will tell you about it anyway because it worth a visit.
Is this Glasgow's answer to Flatiron building in New York?
I'm sure someone I know used to live in this unusual building. It really is unqiue with it's shape and those columns. But anyone know the history of this building?
Moving back in a loop from St. George's cross you get a great view over towards Speirs Wharf at the Forth and Clyde canal and the chimney of the famous Port Dundas Distillery. That is the distillery that was said to be under threat of closure in the news last week.
Functional art ? Just snapped this shot while crossing under the M8 motorway. The pattern of the concrete and the pillars just appealed to me. Almost like a giant version of the cloisters at the University?
Now after crossing under the M8 you are in Glasgow's own Chinatown. This not as big as Chinatowns in many other cities but it still has it's own distinct feel with many of the signs being in Chinese and English. And of course a Chinese gate pictured above.
Second dragon statue seen today. Though luckily St. George isn't trying to slay this one.
Just next to the Chinese gate is this distinctive building. Perhaps this more Glasgow's answer to the Flatiron in New York? This really is a striking building in the junction between Shamrock Street and New City Road next to Stow College. This used to be a Glasgow Saving Bank building. Round the side you can still make out the letters spelling out Savings Bank. It is covered in sculptures and detail. Seems to be empty now?
And just over from the bank is the equally striking Dundas Court building. I have passed this building so many times in Cowcaddens over the years. But can't seem to find any history for it online or in books? Anyone know what this building for built for? Seems to be for let at the moment?
Heading back onto Garnethill. Found this wee building tucked away in West Graham Street. It says on it "Sick Children's Hospital Dispensary" and dated as 1884.
It really is a lovely little building and has a lovely sculpture of a mother holding a child.
Checked when I got home and there is another building I have missed on Garnethill. The building above is the dispensary for the Sick Children's Hospital which is actually itself up on Scott Street. This is actually the predecessor of Yorkhill hospital which was opened in 1914. And the link for that is in the corner of this page. Go there to find out the great work they do there today.
And finally back round to the Tenement House. Now can only show you photos of the outside as this is a National Trus for Scotland building and they don't allow photos of the inside but will tell you about it anyway because it worth a visit.A Miss Agnes Toward moved into number 145 Buccleuch Street in 1911 and lived there until 1965 when she was taken into hospital where she lived until her death in 1975. During all this time apart from some decoration and the installation of electric lighting the house has no major changes. It is a four room house, bedroom, parlour, kitchen and bathroom. Each one is beautifully preserved. It now belows to the National Trust and is a little time capsule from the early 20th century. It is a fascinating place to visit and part of the fascination is that Agnes Toward kept a lot of items such as receipts, newspaper cuttings, recipes, tickets and programmes for the theatre etc. She never knew what an amazing gift she has given to the people of Glasgow to be able to see a snapshot of all our history through her life.
Was worth coming back to Garnethill for another walk. Tenement House is something that sticks with you... and wouldn't have been happy until I found those Chookie Burdies!! :)
For a quiet stroll around an interesting area of Glasgow, Garnethill becoming my favourite. But think in my head I will always call it Summerhill now.
Be well, be happy!!
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