Cunninghame ramblers. Glasgow historic walk. October 2015

Lighthouse museum

Is there no end to this ramblers talents!!

We travelled on the subway today.

Kelvingrove art galleries.

Part of the magnificent interior.

Walkers reading about my father.

Govan stones exhibition

Todays group

Beside my Dads Spitfire.

Yesterday Cunninghame ramblers travelled by bus to Glasgow for a historical walk round a small part of the great city led by myself. On a cloudy mild morning 15 of us met at the famous Donald Dewar statue situated at the top of Buchanan Street for a briefing from me on what we were proposing to visit on our journey. First stop was at a hero of mine "Nelson Mandella Square" where I explained why our city fathers had gone to exceptional lengths in 1986 to rename and dedicate the square to a great man.Next visit was to the Lighthouse museum to see a building designed by Charles Rennie McIntosh and also to admire the various designs and architecture housed within .After a quick shoogle on the famous Glasgow subway we arrived at Kelvingrove art gallerys to visit my father . Let me explain in more detail ,there is a spitfire hanging from one of the vaulted ceilings and in an alcove at the side is an area dedicated to Glasgows own 602 Battle of Britain  squadron which my Dad was proud to have been an active member of complete with his photograph taken in 1986 with surviving members of that era.Lunch stop was at Govan cross before we went onto visit the newly opened exhibition of the Govan Stones which is a display of prehistoric burial headstones.Our last visit of the day was to Fairfields shipyard where we had an excellent tour of the history of the Clyde shipyards and all of that areas rich industrial heritage. Another quick shoogle on the subway took us back into the city centre to end an interesting and varied walk to areas not normally frequented by the normal Glasgow tourist. Thanks to everyone involved today particularly the deerstalker who helped me organise travelling and keeping the group together in some of the more busier areas we visited.

Kilmarnock and Loudoun ramblers. Glasgow history walk. July 2015

Donald Dewar acted as a meeting point

First stop on our walk.

Next was the Lighthouse museum

with its wonderful views

of the city of Glasgow.

Waiting on the subway

that took us to the "Govan Stones"

Just some of the exhibits

housed in this magnificent church

The Glenlee tall ship

We crossed the Clyde on the Govan ferry

others took a faster option

one of the many splendid cars displayed in the transport museum

Outside was a "Lamborghini"

We were a large group today

Enjoying a wee rest at the museum

The Hydro concert venue.

Yesterday I travelled to Glasgow to meet Kilmarnock and Loudoun ramblers for a history walk round  a small part of the famous city.29 of us met at the Donald Dewar statue situated at the top of Buchanan Street where were entertained to a fellow playing the bagpipes accompanied by some bongo drums which made for a very  unusual combination. Our first stop was at Nelson Mandela Place which our leader explained was named after the great man whilst he still had 8 more years of his prison sentence to serve.The lighthouse museum was our next port of call with a climb up to the top of a spiral staircase that took us out onto a small balcony allowing us an excellent 360 degree view of the city.A quick shoogle on the underground got us over to the southside of the Clyde to visit the Govan Stones which are housed in a very large church complete with the most amazing stained glass windows.We were treated to an organised tour where the guide gave us a full description of the history of the stones and how they had now finished up on public display. After a very short trip on the Govan ferry we arrived at the transport museum where we had a lunch break with ample time to view the old cars and trams before our final part of the days walk back up the River Clyde to the city centre to catch the bus back to  Kilmarnock. A super day led by a member who had put a lot of effort into organising the guided tour and made sure we kept to his well timed schedule.Thank you once again for allowing me to join the group on a very informative outing one I hope to lead for some of the other groups I am involved in.