I have to combine two days because I hadn’t planned on starting the blog (but there’s way too much not to share!).
First, let’s talk planning! Lisa made a binder with all our plans. Itinerary, printed tickets and passes we needed, etc. Super detailed!
We flew out Thursday, 3 August, 2023 on Aer Lingus Boston to Glasgow with a layover in Dublin. Flight was great and, in our time in Dublin, we grabbed some beers (because, no matter what time it is in Ireland, it’s always time for Guinness…even 9AM!).
When we landed we grabbed a taxi at the airport. This is when we learned many roads in the city are closed due to the UCI Cycling World Championships being held across the country. Thankfully the cab could get a few blocks away from our AirBNB so we didn’t have to lug our luggage too far.
The AirBNB is nice. 2 floors with some fun paintings and an organ (which I’m still waiting for Lisa to play!).
Once we settled in, we wandered around the area a bit. We’re staying near the park so we were walking around there which is where we met the super friendly Guinness the Dog! I’m thought for sure Lisa was going to steal him!
After a while we stopped for lunch at Finsbay Flatiron. The Chips fried in beef dripping were drool-worthy!
After, we made our way to the Clydeside Distillery for our Whiskey and Chocolate tour. Our tour guide Ronny was great. He gave us tons of info on how they make whiskey and other tidbits like a single malt means it is made at a single distillery (it could be different batches from the same distillery). After touring we got to sit and try 5 different whiskeys with chocolate pairings (chocolates like lemon and ouzo, grilled pineapple, Brazilian dark). So yummy 😋
After that, we took the scenic walking route back to the flat (we were pretty tired after all the traveling).
We got up a little late on Saturday. Krissy and I walked down to Cashel Coffee and got our morning lattes and scones and croissants). Once we were all fed and caffeinated we set off for the Glasgow cathedral. We didn’t quite make it there as we needed to be to the Piping Center by noon for a tour but we got to see a lot along the way (including some of the bike race…literally half the city roads are shut down for it!). Don’t let the map colors fool you; green roads are shut down too. They have multiple courses coming through the city.
We were a little early for the Piping Center (and the poor kid at the desk was trying to figure out if a tour group was coming or not and when they’d be there), so we went souvenir shopping. Krissy and I adopted Hamish the Coo!
We went back to the National Piping Center and Brody was finishing up with a tour group and played the bagpipes outside for them.
Once he finished we went in for the tour. He said he usually puts on his kilt but the tour group running early took extra time. He explained he’d been playing the bagpipes for 11 years. He started in school and still plays in single and group competitions. He practices for a couple hours a day and has multiple bagpipes (a set for work and sets for competitions). He showed us all the parts of a bagpipe. I didn’t realize how many there were between the separate prices of the pipes, the hose, the bag, the reeds, the keys, etc. After the walkthrough, Brody played for us inside.
We were left with some chanters (practice pipes) so we could try. One note, there’s 9 holes in a pipe and you cover with flat fingers; not your finger tips as the holes are large and you need to fully cover.
After our tour, we decided to head towards the Kelvingroves museum. We saw more of the race and other sites along the way (including a bike crash after a turn (everyone was fine and got up and going).
The museum is huge but Lisa was most excited about the giraffe (of course).
Sloth bear
And who knew seals had teeth..
We left the museum through the back entrance and found where they had a screen set up so you could watch the race. We decided to walk towards Glasgow University to walk around.
Once we finished walking a round the university, we decided to walk a ways down ( to try and get around some of the race) to get an Uber so we could head towards where our walking tour was. Not so easy but we finally managed to get one. We waited near Kitty O’Sheas..
We got to the area with some time to spare so we stopped for coffee and an empire biscuit.
We saw the USA junior rider and tour guys while we’re were in the cafe.
As we were walking towards the walking tour starting point we saw the Jr boys champion.
The professor who used to lecture at U of Scotland but left all his money to create a better university.
The engineering school
The mural of a princess who was the first battered woman, turned out by her family and put in a ship that sank but she survived and was saved by a ministry where she had her baby.
We finally made it to Glasgow Cathedral!
We toured into the Necropolis
The gates in
Our tour guide Barbara
We all got burgers and shared some chips.
We met our guide Barbara in front of the Glasgow City Chambers (which was the epicenter of the bike race).
We started out walking towards the University of Strathclyde. There’s very interesting art in the area.
The Tardis police station I was certain I’d have to bail Lisa out of at some point😂
The gates in
These randos who chose the top of a crypt to drink on?
We left the necropolis and headed toward the gallery of modern art
The famous rider with the cone on his head!
After the tour we started heading towards home. We were talking about crossing the street and some random guys decided Lisa needed help so they took her arm and led her across!
After doing a bit of shopping, we decided to stop at Bread Meat Bread for dinner. The beers were phenomenal.
After dinner we headed home. After 12 miles and over 30k steps we were done!
B
D
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