Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

This morning I collected guests from Paisley hotel and then proceeded as follows:

First to Greenbank Garden, south of Glasgow. This is largely unchanged since it was first established in the 18th century and is now a centre of horticulture excellence with special focus on daffodils and bergenias.  A colorful and diversified display.

Colourful Flower, Greenbank Garden, Glasgow

Colourful Garden at Greenbank, Glasgow

Next to Pollok house and park. Pollok House also dates from the 18th century and sits majestically close to the White Cart Water. Close by are a picturesque herd of Highland Cattle which we observed and photographed.

Pollok House, Pollok Park, Glasgow

Highland Cow, Pollok Park, Glasgow

Next to visit the nearby Burrell Collection. Here there are wide range of objects and art ranging form ancient Egypt to medieval furniture to armour and stained glass.

Figure of Luohan, Ming Dynasty, Burrell Collection

Rodin Statue, Burrell Collection, Glasgow

Next guests availed of a swim at Eastwood and then we moved on for a spot of lunch at the Boaters Cafe at nearby Rouken Glen.

Boaters Cafe, Rouken Glen, Scotland

Nect we drove to the Springburn area of Glasgow for the highlight of the day which was a Speedway event  where we witnessed a meeting between the Glasgow Tigers and Workington Comets. This dynamic event lasted two hours and was well patronised.

Speedway, Ashfield Stadium, Glasgow

Speedway, Ashfield Stadium, Glasgow

Speedway, Sshfield Stadium, Glasgow

Speedway, Ashfield Stadium, Glasgow

After conclusion of the Speedway event I returned guests to their hotel ready for next leg of their tour-to Ireland.

This morning, I met tour group at Glasgow Airport at about 7.30 am and proceeded as follows:

First to Pollock House, Glasgow. Here were photographed animals from a herd of Highland Cows then had a brief walk around the park. Here we were able to view the 18th century Adam designed mansion and the White Cart Water in full spate due to heavy rain.

Pollock Hoiuse, Pollock Park, Glasgow

Clydesdale Horses at Pollock Park, Glasgow

Highland Cattle at Pollock Park, Glasgow

Next we headed east to view Bothwell Castle. Notwithstanding its ruinous state it remains a substantial medieval structure which frequently changed hands during the Wars of Independence in the 14th century. Some of the group got a fright when disturbed pigeons made an unexpected exit from their roost in a darkened area.

Bothwell Castle, Bothwell, Scotland

Next to the Falkirk Wheel near Falkirk in central Scotland. This unique piece of engineering is a boat lift linking the Clyde and Union canals which run between Glasgow and Edinburgh. We took a ride up and down the ‘wheel’ which proved an interesting experience affording good views (through the rain) of the local landscape which covers the Antonine Wall which dates from Roman times.

Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk,Scotland

Boat at Falkirk Wheel, Scotland

Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk, Scotland

Finally, with jet-lag catching up, the group retired to their hotel for the rest of the afternoon.

Here is a video clip of Falkirk Old and St Modans Parish Church

Tomorrow we visit Edinburgh and the Military Tattoo

The heavy rain of late has eased up this evening.

Colourful Garden at Pollok House, Glasgow

Today I collected guests from the airport in readiness for Scotland tour starting tomorrow. These images show some of the sites we visited between airport and Glasgow’s West End.

Here is a majestic Highland Cow from herd at Pollok Park.

Highland Cow, Pollok Park, Glasgow

Here is a solid looking bull from the same herd of Highland Cattle at Pollok.

Highland Bull, Pollok Park, Glasgow

This is the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, one of the top such establishments in Europe.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

Here is a view of Glasgow University with sumer flowers evident.

Glasgow University, Scotland