Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

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.

David Livingstone's Birthplace, Blantyre, Scotland

This afternoon, I visited the David Livingstone Visitor Centre  and Birthplace at Blantyre near Glasgow.

Livingstone was a remarkable man. Born in 1813 and brought up in a tiny, one room apartment with eight other family members. Main source of employment was the nearby Textile Mill on the bank of the River Clyde where Livingstone himself commenced work at the tender age of ten years. However, he was extremely determined and went on to qualify as a doctor and then spent most of  his adult life as a missionary and explorer in Africa eventually dying in what is now Tanzania in 1873. Livingstone’s heart is buried at Chitambo Village whilst his other remains were returned to Britain and interred in Westminster Abbey, London in 1874.

The Visitor Centre at Blantyre is well presented. Included is an Explorer’s Garden which, together with the surrounding catchment area boast some 200 species of plants and trees.

Here is a view of the former textile mill (powered by the River Clyde) where Livingstone worked as a boy. He managed to study and work at the same time. This type of water powered mill was very common along the banks of major rivers during the Industrial Revolution.

Former Textile Mill, Blantyre, Scotland

This video clip  shows the interior of the Livingstone’s apartment which also features in the image below.

Livingstone Family Apartment, Blantyre, Scotland

Here is a view of the River Clyde near the former Textile Mill.

River Clyde, Blantyre, Scotland

Here is a tableau showing a 19th century mill worker at work.

Textile Worker Tableau at Blantyre, Scotland

Overall, a visit to the site is a good experience allowing one to connect with, in addition to Livingstone’s extraordinary life and achievements, industrial history and nature.

Billy Connelly Mural, Anderston, Glasgow

Early this afternoon, I cycled down to Glasgow to find and photograph a mural dedicated to one of the best known sons of Glasgow, namely Billy Connolly or the ‘Big Yin’. This world famous entertainer once worked as a welder in Glasgow shipyards before he went on to develop a career as a musician, comedian and actor.

A social housing organisation commissioned the 20ft by 16ft artwork which cost GBP45,000  (USD72,000) which is now positioned on the wall of  aresidential block in Anderston, close to where Connolly was born.

The mural is the work of Andy Scott who has produced other pices of public art around Glasgow.

Originating with pencil sketches, the mural was made from about 1.5 miles of 0.24 inch steel chopped into small pieces.

Overall, an impressive piece of art work but not easy to find.