Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Ian Muir Sound, Midwinter Ball, Erskine Bridge Hotel

This afternoon, I am posting information on the Midwinter Ball held by the Glasgow Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Glasgow Branch at Erskine Bridge Hotel near Paisley.

This event was very well attended, perhaps by 150 in total with music provided by the Ian Muir Sound.

At the foot of these images can be found links to video clips of various dances.

Midwinter Ball, R.S.C.D.S., Glasgow Branch

Midwinter Ball, R.S.C.D.S., Glasgow

Video clips:

• The Happy Meeting  (Jig)
• The Whistling Wind ( Reel)
• The Moray Rant (Strathspey)
• Miss Hadden’s Reel (Jig)
• Salute to Glasgow (Strathspey)
• Polharrow Burn (Reel)
• More Bees A-Dancing (Reel)
• Blooms of Bon Accord (Reel)

Anchor Mill, Paisley, Scotland

This morning I took the opportunity to visit the town of Paisley near Glasgow.

Paisley has a long and proud history, possibly dating back to the Roman era. The town was at the forefront of the industrial revolution with a special emphasis on textiles -te famous Paisley Pattern and thread making, with latter employing tens of thousands at its 19th C peak. The textile industry generated huge wealth which filtered down into the construction of (a) a stunning Baptist ‘Cathedral’ and (b) a magnificent Town Hall.  Here is a video clip of the Abbey and Town Hall.

For the visitor there  is a diversity of architecture and places to visit which include a 13th century Abbey, former textile mills, Coats Baptist Church and much more including a statue to local church ministerJohn Witherspoon who was a signatory to the American Decalaration of Independence. The musuem is well endowed with a wide range of exhibits (incl textile hertiage) and close by is a 19th century observatory.

Paisley is actually home to Glasgow Airport but few tourists actually visit . As a faded industrial town Paisley has low self esteem and does not seem to position itself to receive volumes of visitors. From time to time I provide small group tours of the town which inavariably receive positive feedback.

This the Russell Institute featuring 1920s architecture. Built as a child welfare clinic.

Russell Institute, Paisley, Scotland

 Street name reflecting textile industry history.

Shuttle Street, Paisley, Scotland

Architectural Detail, Russell Institute, Paisley

 Statue of John Witherspoon of Paisley who was a signatory to the American Declaration of Independence.

Witherspoon Statue, Paisley, Scotland

 Coats Memorial Church aka ‘Baptist Cathedral of Europe’. Financed by wealth of the Coats textile family.

Coats Memorial Baptist Church, Paisley, Scotland

 Paisley Museum, the first publicly run museum in Scotland. Holds the world’s finest collection of Paisley shawls.

Museum, Paisley, Scotland

War Memorial, Paisley, Scotland

 Well kept central square of Paisley.

Paisley Town Centre, Scotland

 Paisley Town Hall. Financed by the wealthy Clark textile family.

Town Hall, Paisley, Scotland

 Paisley Abbey, founded 1163 and restored in the 14th century.

13th C Paisley Abbey, Scotland

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.