The weekend of 21st/22nd November was the Christmas Fair at the Tall Ship in Glasgow so went along with the family.
I've been to the Tall Ship before but not had a wee tour as part of this blog so welcome aboard.
The Tall Ship's real name is the Glenlee. She was built in Port Glasgow in 1896. For the next 23 years she circumnavigated the globe 4 times as she transported cargo all over the world (although she was renamed the Islamount in 1898). She then changed hands several times until be purchased by the Royal Spanish Navy in 1921 and renamed the Galatea.
She remained as a training ship with the Spanish Navy until 1981 when she was decomissioned and tied up with the intention to scrap her.
However in 1990 she was spotted by a group of ship enthusiasts and in 1992 was brought home to Glasgow where she now serves as a floating museum.
That is her incredible story.
But even if you knew none of that it doesn't change the fact that she is a beautiful ship which as you board her just feels like you are stepping back in time.
As you pass the front of the ship you will see the Glenlee's figurehead. This was a sailing superstition that she would look over the waters and hopefully calm the seas.
Her nickname today is actually "Marydoll" :-)
At the rear of the ship you will see a Jolly Roger flying. Now the Glenlee was never a pirate ship nor did she even sail during the "Golden Age" of piracy during the 1700's.
However she does host pirate based kid's parties and no matter what age you are you can't help but imagine being Captain Jack Sparrow for a wee while when onboard this ship.
As a wee note if you notice the black squares on the side of the ship these are not actually cannon hatches as the Glenlee is unarmed. However this was a traditional paint pattern on cargo ships to make them look armed to deter pirates.
As you first cross onto the front of the ship you will see the ship's bell over the forecastle. This served as the ship's clock as it was rung every half hour to signal the changing of the watch. The kids love ringing this now and you got to love a museum that has real hands on exhibits that bring the place to life.
Up on the forecastle you look across the prow of the ship back towers the entrance building which I believe used to be an old pump house.
Also from the forecastle you get a fantastic view across to the Glasgow Science Centre and Glasgow Tower. The Waverley paddle steamer was tied up there on the day we visited.
The Glasgow Heliport is also situated directly next to the Glenlee and is a great contrast between the transport of the 19th Century and the 21st Century.
A wee exploration around the ship soon lets you see just how hard a life on the ocean waves truly was. This is a picture of the main deckhouse where the crew would live, eat and sleep. Very small and cramped.
The galley is just to the rear of the main deckhouse. This was seemingly one of the most popular places on this ship as it was the only place that was always warm.
Below decks now and looking out through the portholes at the Glasgow Tower.
And as this was the Christmas festival below decks was also full of lovely craft stalls selling Christmas gifts. The room smelling of cinammon and other Christmassy smells. And in the Captain's cabin was the main man himself. No not the captain but Santa!!
Didn't want to leave this special wee Christmas tour without showing you a couple of shots of Glenlee's new home. Or it will be in 2011. The shiney silver building in the background in the new transport museum. The museum in Kelvin Hall will be moving here and the Glenlee will also be moving to be moored there.
