Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Pitch at Rangers F.C., Glasgow

 This morning I joined a tour of Rangers F.C.  at Ibrox, near Govan, Glasgow. Historically, Rangers has been supported by members of the Protestant community whilst the club’s arch-rival Celtic is on the Catholic side of the  city’s sectarian divide. These two Glasgow clubs dominate Scottish football and are collectively known as the ‘Old Firm’. Despite the competition the two clubs have a symbiotic relationship which proves mutually beneficial and helps propel the game forward.

A brief history of Rangers F.C.:

• Founded with very modest beginnings in 1872 on Glasgow Green.
• From Glasgow Green the club moved to Burnbank then Kinning Park in 1876.
• On August 20th 1887 the first stadium at Ibrox (Govan) was opened but due to the team’s increasing popularity this proved inadequate.
• The club moved to its present site in 1899 which has capacity for 51,000.

A brief summary of Rangers achievements on the pitch:

• Won 54 league championships.
• Won 27 Scottish League Cup titles.
• Won Scottish cup 33 times.
• Reached UEFA final in 1961.
• Won European Cup Winners Cup in 1972.

Here are some images from today’s tour:-

Trophy Room

Tropy Cabinet at Rangers F.C., Glasgow

 Members Club room

Members Club at Rangers F.C., Glasgow

 Blue Room (used by Directors)

Detail from Blue Room at Rangers F.C., Glasgow

 Players changing room.

Players Changing Room at Rangers F.C., Glasgow

 Players Tactics Board

Players' Tactics Board, Rangers F.C., Glasgow

 View of Ibrox Stadium

Rangers F.C. Football Stadium, Ibrox, Glasgow

 Memorial to fan fatalities at Ibrox, 92 died in two major disasters.

Memorial to Crowd Disaster Victims, Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow

 Entrance tunnel to the pitch.

Players Entrance Tunnel, Rangers F.C., Glasgow

Overall, a worthwhile tour which I would recommend to others.

James Watt Display at Kelvingrove

This evening, I am focusing on James Watt, a Glasgow based inventor and mechanical engineer who, through his refinement of the steam engine, was a key influence on the rise in global prosperity as a function on the Industrial Revolution.

Watt’s life spanned the years 1736-1819.  It was during his time making instruments at Glasgow University  that Watt made a design improvement to the Newcomen Steam Engine by addition of a separate condenser which greatly improved the efficiency of the engine which went on to power the Industrial Revolution and thereby create a huge rise in wealth and living standards.

The catalyst for his invention occurred whilst strolling on Glasgow Green  in the form of a ‘brain wave’.  Glasgow Green remains an open space and public park today.

Watt teamed up with a business partner named Boulton to form Boulton and Watt in order to commercialise his invention. This firm proved a success with Watt living to a good age of 82 years by which time he had accumulated substantial peersonal wealth. 

Glasgow Green, Glasgow, Scotland

Nelson's Monument, Glasgow Green, Scotland

There is a statue of James Watt in George Square, Glasgow and a small section dedicated to him at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. Clearly, one of Glasgow’s most famous sons.

Today, Glasgow in common with most parts of Scotland, remained covered by a layer of snow. It is snowing steadily as I write this. However, the city has not suffered as badly as central and eastern Scotland which have experienced heavy snow falls and the blocking of the main A9 north-south route. This is coldest November snap for 18 years which follows on last winter which was the coldest recorded winter on record. However, there is an upside in the form of good photo opps due to combination of sunshine and snow cover. 

This morning I resolved to cycle down to Glasgow Green, a historic part of Glasgow to obtain some photographs.  The Green is a public park extending to some 136 acres on bot side of the River Clyde. In times past this was a popular gathering place where locals socialized, attended political meetings and events (such as the Glasgow Fair) and even hung out laundry to dry (see image no 2 below). Arguably Glasgow Green’s most famous claim to fame is the connection with James Watt who, whilst walking across the Green in 1765, was inspired to improve the early steam engine via introduction of a separate condensor which in turn acted as a catalyst to the industrial revolution.  Earlier this year I attended the World Pipe Band Championships at this venue.

Snowbound Peoples Palace

Above image shows the People’s Palace which is a combined museum and Winter Gardens (conservatory). The former provided information and artifacts to illustrate the everyday life of working people. continue reading…