Just packing our bags and heading off to Helensburgh for a few days.
We've booked a nice B&B, so we're leaving the van behind and travelling by car. We've been planning to visit Charles Rennie Macintosh's house (The Hill house) for ages and it's open again now.
Also hope to travel into Glasgow by train and visit the Kelvingrove Art gallery and Museum. It's close to the site of this COP26 climate conference, and I hear that roads round it will be closed from this Saturday - a week before the conference.
Unfortunately the weather forecast isn't great, but it will be nice to have a break.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
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The “box” over the Hill House is shortlisted for one of the annual Scottish architecture prizes.
You can Google & easily find the COP26 road closures (Sat 23 Oct to Mon 15 Nov): you’d be better going into Glasgow by train. But there’s a list of Glasgow Life places that will be shut - not sure when, maybe already & Kelvingrove plus several others are listed (transport museum?) so check before you head off.
We have 3 concerts up there during this period (first live ones for over a year) & there will be train & possibly bus strikes & a rally on Glasgow Green.
Plenty of other directions to go, I’m sure you’ll have a good trip.
Thanks for the info, Fiona. We had decided to take the train into the city so we bought off-peak returns (£6.70) to Partick, and then a bus to Kelvingrove. (free with our bus passes).
Kelvingrove was a disappointment. Some of the exhibits were closed off and we weren't especially interested in some others. There was little more than a 'nod' to Macintosh & MacDonald.
Hill house on the other hand, is a real gem. Plenty of knowledgeable guides and informative text in the various rooms. It was bitterly cold walking round the cage, and I admit I'm not one for heights, but it really is a must if you visit.
We weren't taken by Helensburgh, but found some good restaurants. Saw plenty of motorhomes heading up to Loch Lomond. Dread to think what it might be like in summer!
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Capt L, If I’d known you were going to Kelvingrove just to see CRM & the hugely underrated MacDonald, I’d have suggested other places. It’s not Kelvingrove’s strength. (Check the CRM society website.) Many museums still have areas closed off due to Covid - lack of staff to be on hand or lack of social distancing space, not sure which.
Loch Lomond has largely controlled the MH problem with the need to get a permit but Duck Bay is outside the zone & nose to tail with them. It’s hard for families in cars on a day out to park there for a picnic.
Glad you had a good trip!
Quote: Originally posted by Capt Lightning on 18/10/2021
Just packing our bags and heading off to Helensburgh for a few days.
We've booked a nice B&B, so we're leaving the van behind and travelling by car. We've been planning to visit Charles Rennie Macintosh's house (The Hill house) for ages and it's open again now.
Also hope to travel into Glasgow by train and visit the Kelvingrove Art gallery and Museum. It's close to the site of this COP26 climate conference, and I hear that roads round it will be closed from this Saturday - a week before the conference.
Unfortunately the weather forecast isn't great, but it will be nice to have a break.
We'd been hoping to do the same things after spending a mid-week break at a hotel on Loch Awe, but unfortunately the pandenmic started during our holiday, so we had to come home. We're now planning to book a mid-wek break in Glasgow when things return to some normallity.
Fiona, we didn't go to Kelvingrove especially for Mackintosh, but were still disappointed. We didn't want to venture right into Glasgow, but maybe one day we will. Interestingly he lived at one time in the same part of Glasgow (Denistoun) as my great-grandparents.
LlaniDavis, I should have said that the Hill house was not Mackintosh's own, but was a commission from Walter Blackie, the publisher. It's well worth going to see.
------------- Two drifters off to see the world.
I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.
Plenty of other CRM designed buildings in Glasgow. The Lighthouse, for example. Several churches & the Scotland Street School. But if you’re interested in architecture, Alexander “Greek” Thompson buildings in Glasgow are worth seeking out. And check the book series “illustrated architectural guide” for the counties & cities, best price (a few quid) from the RIAS bookshop, great for dipping into. I recently got the one for Clackmannanshire because we were intrigued by how many Art Deco buildings there are in Alloa, and the various towers on their “tower trail”.