Day 3: Glasgow – People Make Glasgow

What a simple marketing slogan it is – “People Make Glasgow”. From the moment you arrive in Glasgow, this mindset is evident in everything.

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland but it still is small and one can get the overview very fast. The Subway is the only one running completely underground in the UK and goes around in a circle, making it easy to understand and use even for those people who didn’t plan too much – wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Many museums and tourist areas don’t cost anything to visit – the Cathedral, St Mungos Museum and The Necropolis can be visited in one swoop. After the serenity of the Cathedral, a walk through the Necropolis will not only open beautiful vistas of the city, but there is a lot of history buried on the hill as well. Step back in time and for example, you see the memorial to the author of the famous nursery rhyme, Wee Willie Winkle (yes, that rhyme is a Scottish one by William Miller)

You can also go mural hunting. Everywhere in the city, you’ll come across some huge pieces of art adorning the city’s brickwork. There are far too many and too beautiful to describe here. The one with a newer version of St. Mungo referring to the story of the bird that never flew is especially touching.

What else can you do? Drinking seems to be the favourite pass time next to shopping. You can drink everywhere. For example, if you need for a haircut, the hair dresser or barber won’t offer you a tea, coffee or water. There are rows of highland single malts and gin displayed in a bar to choose from. If you prefer a beer, that’s ok, but apparently single malts are the drink to drink while getting a haircut.

What can you eat? Glasgow practically offers every cuisine from around the world. But the Glaswegians love their pre- and post-pub snacks and one favourite seems to be the Pakora. Yes, you read it right – the humble Indian pakora – but with several variations including Haggis fillings. Maybe it’s the incessant rain that Glasgow gets that makes the people yearn for Pakora like the monsoon time snack “Chai and Pakora” in India. Maybe it’s something else, but who cares. Try them in many places around the city and sometimes also in the Highlands.

What about the FIFA World Cup 2018? The day we were in Glasgow was the all-important semi-final between England and Croatia. We were expecting public viewings in the city, sports bars and

boisterous crowds dressed up in England colours as it was their country playing. But there was not a trace of that excitement in the air. A couple of pubs had “live viewing” listlessly scribbled with chalk on a blackboard outside but the enthusiasm was missing. Why you ask? The answer is that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland play football as independent national teams. Why you ask? Well, you must know by now that there is always something to find out in here, so go ahead – find it out!