Glasgow is the home of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and we’re huge fans. We booked the ‘Willow Tea Room’ in Glasgow City for breakfast. The Willow is Mackintosh inspired and based on the tea rooms which were the rage in Glasgow in the early 1900’s. Mackintosh’s influence on the Arts and Crafts movement and Frank Lloyd Wright’s work is evident.
After breakfast Don & Joyce head out for a visit to the Glasgow Cathedral and walkabout. The group leaves in the morning on the West Highland Train out of the Queen St. Station. Mary & I do some recon on the station and grab our tickets for tomorrow’s trip from the self-service machine. Sounds easy. We needed help!
In nearby George Square are the Glasgow City Chambers. Incredible as it sounds the building has more marble that the Vatican and has even been used as a stand-in for the Vatican in films. Beautiful marble and mosaics. As we left the building, folks started gathering in the square for what we learned was the national ‘Royal Merchant Marine Day’ ceremony dedicated to those lost at sea during the two big wars. Bagpipes, speeches, flag waving – a lovely ceremony.
Lunch at the ‘Bon Accord’, a pub specializing in real ale. Big CAMRA award winners. One of those ‘must do’ joints for a beer geek!
Our apartment is right across from the fantastic Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The centerpiece of the Museum is a concert pipe organ installed in 1901 which contains over 2889 organ pipes. Good fortune again as they’ve restarted their daily organ recitals. Best exhibit – a stuffed haggis!
We hooked up with Don & Joyce for a ‘Chocolate & Whisky Tour’ at the Clydeside Distillery in south Glasgow. Five single malts whiskies from various regions around Scotland paired with artisan chocolates. A big hit with the ladies.
Finally, back to the West End for dinner at the tiny ‘No. Sixteen’. A fitting end to a busy day!
