Aerial View - Glasgow!
Saturday, Sept. 10 10:15am
Landing in Glasgow, we got through the customs gauntlet fairly quickly, and immediately tracked down the nearest Starbucks! Enjoyed a long-overdue cup of real coffee, outdoors on the patio, waiting on the shuttle to the car-rental. The sun was trying to temper the bronze morning haze, and it was a beautiful 65-70 degs.
Glasgow Airport
Over coffee, we studied our driving directions, preparing for the three roundabouts, on the way OUT of the airport - driving on the left! And while we're at it, Glasgow is pronounced "Glesca" and Haggis means egg McMuffin! (Not really)!
Know Yer Haggis!
We got to Glasgow's downtown, making it past all the busy roundabouts, with only a couple of wrong turns. We parked across from the Royal Concert Hall . . .
Royal Concert Hall
And walked to the main shopping district.
Bustling Buchanan Shopping District
Our first order of business was to visit the tourist office, to try to find a Double-Decker Bus tour.
Double-Decker Bus Tour
We were in luck, as there was a bus tour every hour on the half-hour, and we were just in time for the next one, and it left practically right in front of the office, right in George Square!
First Double-Decker Bus Tour
If you ever go to Britain - you HAVE to ride the double deckers, while they're still around! It is quite a treat! They tell you all the major spots and attractions, and you really get a feeling for things, so you don't miss anything!
We went all through Glasgow, learning about all the important historical parts, namely, St. Andrews; . . .
St. Andrews Church
The Tollbooth; . . .
Cross Tron Tollbooth Steeple
Glasgow Green, containing the world's largest terra cotta fountain; . . .
Verdant Glasgow Green
The People's Palace, formerly the estate of a wealthy tobacco baron; . . .
People's Palace
The 3 major shopping districts, (Sauchie Hall, Argyle and Buchanan); . . .
Buchanan Shopping District
Glasgow Cathedral; . . .
Glasgow's Renaissance Cathedral
The world-renown University of Glasgow; . . .
Beautiful Grounds of University of Glasgow
Kelvin (as in Kelvinator) Art Museum; . . .
Spectacular Architecture - Kelvin Art Gallery
The Hunterian Museum on the University Campus; . . .
Beautiful Hunterian Museum
The SECC Science Center, Imax Center and Tower ("Needle"), "The Armadillo", and Finneston Crane, along the tranquil River Clyde; . . .
Science Center
The BBC; . . .
BBC at night!
The Tate Modern Gallery; . . .
Beautiful Tate Modern Gallery
And so much more! I should have taken notes, there was so much compacted into that short time!
We finished our bus tour around 4pm, and headed back to Buchanan St. for tea at the Buchanan Tea Room. Then took a stroll through the Buchanan Gallery (Indoor Mall), and did some shopping, before departing for Edinburgh, where we'd be staying for the next week!
Glasgow is the most awesome city. You don't want to miss it!
Next: Edinburgh
