Arrival in Glasgow
After an overnight flight and changing planes at
Heathrow, I finally set foot in downtown Glasgow at
14:00, Sept 17. My main objective here was to get
acquainted with one of my heroes, Glasgow’s premier
designer, Charles Rennie McIntosh. I got information
at the TIC and made plans to tour his Glasgow Art
School tomorrow morning before meeting the group
when they arrive about noon. I checked into Euro
Hostel, wandered the streets to get a feeling for
the city, ate dinner at Wetherspoon’s, then crashed
at the hostel.
Eleven hours of good sleep, I needed it. At
breakfast, 26 selections of coffee. Talked to a
couple from Victoria, B.C. here for a folk song
get-together. Stored my backpack and scooted over to
the Glasgow Art School for its 10:00 tour. What a
wonderful tour by a fourth year student. Marvellous
interior designs by Rennie and also his wife,
Margaret McDonald. Windows, doors, stairs,
furniture, every detail designed by them. These two
were a great inspiration for Frank Lloyd Wright and
other arts and crafts style architects.
Rennie's Art School
Met the gang at Queen St. Station, right on time.
While Naomi and Chris ate, Peter and I went back to
the Euro Hostel to pick up my backpack, then took
the long way back to show him a little of the city.
We missed our train to Milngavie by 30 sec, Chris
was lagging behind, but another train came along in
20 min. A little rain was falling, typical Scotland
weather. Baby Braylon was sleeping all the way.
Luckily, this will be typical. We settled into our
b&b, Best Foot Forward, a nice and roomy place and
Morag, our host, was very friendly and helpful.
While Chris and Braylon slept, Naomi, Peter and I
went into town for maps, PO phone cards, backpack
strap repair and a pint of ale at Cross Keys Pub.
McEwen ale, nearly like a stout, was exceptional.
Later, Chris and I went back to the pub and had
chicken tikka and shrimp salad and McEwen’s again,
same table. Staff did a double take!