Glasgow, Scotland See, Do, Be

All photos and article by Paula ErskineKelvingrove Park beside Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has some of the best trails and things to do in Glasgow, Scotland. Museums in Scotland, Ireland and England are almost always free to the public, which is a great incentive and quite an in-depth European education for travelers. I thoroughly enjoyed the Kelvingrove Museum which also had a great cafe inside check out http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove/Pages/default.aspx.

Trails along the river near the museum and along the park are shady with sun beaming through and glorious blooms, set against historical buildings, statues and fountains. Three days of sunshine did not go unappreciated by locals who gathered at parks, and shopping street steps to listen to exceptional buskers along Sauchiehall’s pedestrian shopping streets. We enjoyed our lunches, sometimes in the company of like-minded strangers. Side by side, we gather to thank the weather and soak up fresh air and rejuvenate our active selves. Marks and Spencer an Sainsbury have food halls which offer cheaper picnic lunches. A good tip for a cheap dinner is to visit Marks and Spencer 1 hour to 30 minutes before closing, where the yellow price tag gun comes out and discounts the sandwiches, salads, and casseroles before they expire for good. It is a frenzy of the fittest.

Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, Scotland above.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow where I will in the near future enjoy a java at this beautiful skylighted Saramago Cafe in a courtyard hidden inside the CCA. What a gem! It is located at 350 Sauchiehall street (which are wonderful pedestrian streets that are often full of locals and tourists milling about).  I enjoyed two award winning films there for free which were excellent!http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove/Pages/default.aspx

The first free film at the CCA was called “Borrowed Time” by Alice May Williams and will be playing from May 28th-July 10th 2016. It is a film that won the JERWOOD/FVU awards. It has a very deep, meaningful, meditative narrative that is juxtaposed against an industrial landscape and I really enjoyed all 16 minutes of it. Indeed, it is a film that reflects upon our current actions and how they may impact our future, hence the name, “Borrowed Time.” The narrative will surprise you.

The second film by Karen Kramer was centred around the Fukushima nuclear reactor and the consequences of the disaster. Images from nature float in front of the camera with plastics and refuse and Japanese wisdom translated into English subtitles tell a different story. Even though the images sometimes show dilapidated buildings and refuse, the narrative again, is like poetry, life lessons, something that must be re-visited because it is ancient and wise. The CCA is a treasure trove to visit and thought provoke, with a unique book store and gift shop for the curious shopper.

If that is not enough reason to visit Glasgow, let me tell you about an alternative theatre known affectionately as the GTF standing for Glasgow Film and Theater. I just saw one of the best films I have ever seen called Sing Street, an Irish award winning film set in the 80’s with fantastic music, great actors and great music.Here is the trailer, it is an irresistible film you will want to see again! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYk2Vx1z6lk. Wait till you hear the improvised songs they come up with, like “Riddle of the Model,” truly hilarious and feel good. The movie epitomizes the phrase “good vibrations.”The Theatre is also at one end of Sauchiehall street where the pedestrian part ends and meets with 12 Rose Street. You will clearly see it at this junction point where 60 seater cinemas treat the public to carefully curated films for about eight and a half pounds.http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre. There are also courses and different kinds of memberships you can have to lower your overall costs. If you love alternative and award winning films, and not always spoon fed Hollywood stuff, there are tons of great films to choose from. Enjoy Glasgow, Scotland, the land of the brave new hearts.

What I am planning for my next trip to Glasgow…

ps. Around the corner from the GTF are these interesting places to visit, next time, I will be sure to support some local, artsy places, including The Project Cafe, which has a terrace, poetry corner and is situated 2 blocks away on a quieter street, beside a fabric store. Up the street is St. Aloysius Church, which is sure to be interesting architecturally and house art in different forms. Until we meet again, Glasgow, keep up the great efforts, friendly dispositions and artistic endeavors.