By Jeanne Sutton
07th Mar 2016
07th Mar 2016
Stay:
We got the chance to try out Malmaison. The Glasgow chapter of this boutique chain is a former Greek Orthodox Church and is a great place to base yourself if you’re in the Scottish city for a few days. Breakfast was
Breakfast was ace and our room was immediately welcoming – all warm tones and snug furnishings. The perfect repose for when you’re in between Proper Touristing and Grown Up Wining And Dining.
Eat:
Cup Tea Lounge is an ideal lunch spot. We souped and sandwiched, and then we cupcaked – all the time marveling at the Victorian interiors. A real gem of a place.
The Chippy Doon The Lane is a fish and chip restaurant off Buchanan Street that utterly charmed us. The elderly couple next to us snuck a sliced pan in to eat with their fish supper. That’s true love and we’re glad to have witnessed it in its most precious incarnation.
Drink:
Gin71 on Renfield Steet does exactly what it says on the sign. The perfect spot if you’re on a gal’s break and you want to mainline the most refreshing beverage possible. King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut?is Glasgow’s version of Whelans and just down the road from Malmaison. Pint of Tennent’s and some up-and-coming bands – can’t beat it.
Loving all the gin Scottish gin! #scottishgin #datjuniper
A photo posted by Gin71 (@gin71bar) on
Visit:
Glasgow city is famous for its art. The architect and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh is inextricably linked with the city. He designed the iconic Glasgow School of Art, part of which was gutted by a fire a few years ago but is currently undergoing extensive renovations. There are very informative daily walking tours hosted by current students. The Lighthouse building in the city centre hosts a permanent exhibition dedicated to his life’s work, as well as spotlighting other interesting work. When we visited we happened upon a project about the Magdalene Laundries.
The city hop-on-hop-off bus tour is great value and goes from George’s Square in the city centre throughout the day. We took breaks at the People’s Palace – a centre dedicated to local people’s history, Glasgow Green and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The last venue possesses a mammoth collection spanning centuries so make sure you have fish for lunch because your brain is going to be delightfully overloaded.
The Necropolis is the city’s graveyard. It possesses an unsettling beauty, a citadel of stone and graves and finished stories. This view of the city and its surrounding views cannot be bettered. Embrace your wan Victorian heroine and put this on the to-visit list.
Bring:
Flat shoes. Forget anything heeled, packed your best classy runners and brogues. Glasgow is deceptively hilly and by the end of day one we were discovering muscles in limbs we weren’t aware we had. Schedule a bath in after all the sightseeing, with a side-serving of hotel room tea and gift shop shortbread.
Leave at home:
Any clean eating tomfoolery. Deep-fried Mars Bar is actually delicious and needs to be experienced. Try avoid the city centre vendors as they’re overpriced for what they are.
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