Glasgow - Day 3

Day 3 - Cathedral, Necropolis, Museum of Religious Life and Art, Burrell Collection, Street Art, Science Centre Tower, Riverside Museum

A more reasonable start to the day, mostly because I have learned that several things don't open till 10am. So I decide to visit the cathedral and neighbouring Necropolis, a bit of a walk from the centre. The latter is basically a cemetery but is certainly worthy of the grander title. It overlooks the cathedral and being fairly high it looks as if it would give a good view of the city, alas not. The cathedral is rather black and looks if it needs a good scrub up. Perhaps that's what they are doing to the spire. It is also black inside but is redeemed by plenty of very nice stained glass, some quite modern.

 

There are quite a few police boxes around the city, put to good use. 

 

Next door to the cathedral is Mungo's (Saint) Museum of Religious Life and Art. Having said that I'm not really into museums, I've read that this one is an excellent loo stop. So I wait by the gate for 10am and I'm the first in. As I walk in, a lady polishing the collection box says, "the museum is upstairs, the toilet downstairs". I see word has got around. I try to look as if I'm there purely for the museum and walk around intelligently before availing myself of the facilities. I'm sure this museum would be a treasure trove to a student of religion, but in 15 minutes I have left.

Now, someone recommended to me the Burrell Collection and I'm in two minds, but there is time if I Uber, so I hail a taxi. It's a drive out of the centre to a large country park. The museum building is stunning and I take more photos of it than the pieces. It is modern, light and airy. I had already read that it houses Rodin's sculpture The Thinker so I ask where it is. She takes me right to it. There are also more by Rodin. The sculpture is smaller than I was expecting, but there it is, I've seen it, in Glasgow. That was surprising. Also a Degas. But the building, that is a work of art itself. 

This afternoon I join a small street art tour led by a very enthusiastic redhead. The art is quite frankly stunning, and is dotted around the city. These are commissioned works and the artists can apparently command a fee of up to 40k (though I discover that our guide is prone to exaggeration, an essential quality of a tour guide I'm sure). She is very much into the ethos of all this and I can tell she has quite strong views on politics, though I'm sure she is holding back. I learn other things too, such as the Scottish courts having 3 verdicts, guilty, not guilty and not proven (I have sat on a jury myself and this makes perfect sense). She also mentions the fact that England is the only country in the UK not to have a parliament. Oh yes. Brexit is also mentioned, though in what context I cannot remember at all. Glasgow is the murder capital of Europe, she says. Having googled this I read on Glasgow Live that it was actually number 10 back in 2021. But I guess it's a fun fact to share with your tour group to keep them in check. She is a ball of fire, unmistakably Glaswegian, and has 3 cats. I think my favourite Mural is the flying taxi. 

 

 

Now to the Science Centre tower for some views. Apparently it rotates, something to do with the wind. They say some people can find this off putting, unsurprisingly. An Uber driver earlier was very disparaging about it. Apparently it has problems and is often closed. Google has told me it's closed since I got here but the website says to the contrary. Google has probably given up on it. I had tried earlier but was told they were just about to close for lunch. How quaint. This attempt was more successful as you can see. It is recommended that you should be fit enough to descend the emergency stairs if required. The viewing area is quite small and I find myself holding on to a rail in the centre. It's all in the mind, I tell myself and get on with clicking. The attendant looks a little bored, and asks me if I would like to see the emergency stairs. Funnily enough, no. The views are fabulous. On the opposite side of the river is the Riverside Museum with a tall ship. 

 

I have hugely enjoyed writing this blog, and have also found it very useful for killing time when having to wait around, inevitable when travelling. Glasgow has certainly lived up to expectations and has overdelivered. It couldn't be more different to Edinburgh. From the wide streets with al fresco dining, street art, the subway, green spaces, and the art! How could you ever compare it to New York, but I have sometimes found myself doing so. I hope I will return, maybe a Concert Hall visit. Thanks for reading.