Do you really need to know anything about me? It's not as if we'll ever meet. It's pretty obvious ...
Do you really need to know anything about me? It's not as if we'll ever meet. It's pretty obvious what I like if you read my reviews, so what's the pint in me telling you here?
Member since:13.12.2000
Reviews:124
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I’ve been a resident in Glasgow for nigh on four months now, so I cannot say I have unbounded knowledge of the place. But I have accumulated enough knowledge to bring you a review of one of the most overlooked cities in Europe. So here it is…
The main problem with Glasgow is of course the negative image portrayed of it in the media. For every positive view the public are exposed to, such as the BBC Holiday 2001 report a couple of weeks ago, there are countless others from the opposite of the spectrum. Only last night (16/01/01) the Sunday Times TV listings made reference to a programme on car crime in Glasgow, ‘the car crime capital of Europe’.
To be honest, plenty of the negative publicity is warranted. The city has got a ridiculously high crime compared to the UK average. But the picture of a dilapidated city full of people you cannot understand and high-rise flats are a very exaggerated truth.
The fact is that that, like all cities, Glasgow has areas of social deprivation, not helped by the decline in the shipping industry in the city, but in recent years the city has been pumped with money to brighten the place up. Thus, Glasgow is a wonderful cultural centre full of something money can’t buy, friendly, amiable
residents.
It may not have the historical buildings and streets in the way Edinburgh does, but it has museums and galleries to suit everyone’s tastes. I’m particularly fascinated by the wealth of classic cars at the Transport Museum at Kelvingrove. Within the University of Glasgow campus, you can visit the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery (which I admit I haven’t visited yet, despite it being five doors down from my flat!). In the city centre there is also the Gallery of Modern Art, something not exactly to my taste, but well worth a visit.
More culture can be found at the Royal Concert Hall, on Buchanan Street and Theatres dotted around the city centre. But the greatest Theatres of all are home to thousands of likeminded people. In the East End is Paradise, an oasis in a socially deprived area and home to Celtic FC. The North of the city is home to Scotland’s most famous and greatest football club, Partick Thistle at Maryhill. Hampden Park in the South is where Scotland plays their home games and is a wonderful, renovated arena. There is also another team called Rangers in the South West of the city too apparently.
Glasgow has been the birthplace of many of my favourite bands such as Teenage Fanclub, Idlewild and Travis and the musical history is reflected in the wealth of music venues. The Barrowlands plays host to acts of the size of bands like Teenage Fanclub and Manic Street Preachers. Massive bands play at the SECC, while the smaller ones trend to play at the intimate (i.e. tiny) 13Th Note Club or the QMU at the University.
As Glasgow is such a culturally diverse city, there are plenty of foreign eateries, such as Italian, Chinese, Indian and French restaurants and fast food outlets. The reason why Glasgow has such a poor health record may be attributed to the fact that everything is battered in fast food outlets. For example, a hamburger is just a burger in batter, no bap, no sauce.
Shopping is not exactly my favourite habit, but Glasgow is the UK’s second best shopping centre for those who are that way inclined. St. Enoch Centre, Buchanan Galleries, Sauchiehall Centre and loads of chain stores al over the city centre streets can clearly cope with a nation of shopaholics if need be.
As a student, I obviously have to live up to the cliché and write about the bars. As an Irishman, I have to protest at the inability of most barpersons to pull a proper pint of Guinness and the lack of Irish whiskey in many bars. But the bars are dead cheap and you’ll be ripped off if you pay over £2 for a pint anywhere. My favourite pub in the West End is Curlers, who play excellent music and have wonderfully low prices. The Exchequer is good for prices too, but you cannot go wrong with the various unions such as Strathclyde Union or the UG unions for cheap booze.
Clubbing tastes are catered for at places such as the pricey Archaos, the Arches, the horrible Garage and G2 and the Cathouse. The Hive at the Union and Qudos at the QMU offer cheap and cheerful clubbing alternatives. In general there is something to cater for just about all musical tastes.
Getting around Glasgow shouldn’t be a problem, with the Clockwork Orange (or underground as some strange people insist on calling it) can get you around with relative ease. Watch out for rush hours, however, it can get clammy and uncomfortable at times. A one-way ticket is only 80p. I haven’t used the bus system around the city, but there are taxies everywhere and while they may not be too cheap, they are easily accessible.
Outside of Glasgow there is plenty to be getting on with. For those interested in a bit of active sport there is always the bowling alley just out of town to the East. But for scenery and pure beauty, to the North lies the almost untouched Loch Lomond. For beauty inside the city, look no further than the Kelvingrove Park (unless it’s after dark, where you run the risk of ‘personal violation!) or the Botanic Gardens just off Great Western Road. Both of these are in the West End.
For accomadation, I obviously don't really need to care as I live here. there is a Hilton on Byres Road in the West End, one on Buchanan Street and others all over the city centre. Don't ask me what they're like to stay in though, because I haven't the faintest idea. There are also loads of B & B's in the West End suitable for those on a weekend trip.
So that’s Glasgow, or at least a review of it anyway. I can only give you all my knowledge, which increases day by day, but I hope it’s what you needed. If you’re thinking of coming up here I hope you enjoy yourself. Just don’t expect warm, dry weather when you do. So, everyone in unison now: "Edinburgh’s a pile of fu…"
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a great assessment of Glasgow after only living here 4 months!!
eachtime20 24.01.2001 19:01
Nice one, Glasgow is great! and edinburgh is rubbish, and doesn't deserve a capital letter. I'm glad someone sees the greatness of Partick Thistle. How many 1971 league cup titles have Rangers won, eh?
ashford 21.01.2001 01:38
A fair,unbiased Op on a great city. I have been to Glasgow twice and was amazed that it
was not at all like the "media"image.The people are very friendly,there is some great classicl architecture and,as you
pointed-out,some first rate museums.
Ray
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