Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

• Dumbarton Castle, location of a the centre of a former ancient Kingdom of Strathclyde ( before Scotland was unified in the 9th century AD).
• Port Glasgow, famous for shipbuilding and base of the P.S.Comet, Europe’s first successful steamboat service dating from 1812.
• Newark Castle, also at Port Glasgow.
• Lurg Moor Roman Fortlet, high on the moor above Greenock. Today, large cruise ships call in at Greenock.
• Helensburgh, an upscale residential area where can be found Hill House, by Rennie Mackintosh.
• The holiday destination of Dunoon.
• Inverkip, famous for its sailing boats and marinas.
• Largs, site of a defining 13th centurymarine  battle and now a popular residential location with a marina.
• Isle of Bute
• Interesting geology and raised beaches.
• Great Cumbrae Island
• Portencross Castle
• Ardrossan harbour and ferry port. Also home to a marina.
• Troon, famous for golf  and and as a ferry port.
• Isle of Arran

Firth of Clyde, Greenock and Helnsburgh. Scotland

 

 

Newark Castle, Port Glasgow, Scotland

 

 

Pencil Monument, Largs, Scotland

 

 

Inverkip Marina, Firth of Clyde, Scotland

 

 

Portencross Castle, Firth of Clyde, Scotland

 

Firth of Clyde from Dumbarton Castle, Scotland

This part of Scotland has much to offer the visitor and is a popular holiday destination.

 

 

Winner's Enclosure at Ayr Racecourse, Scotland

This afternoon I attended the Valentine’s Raceday at Ayr Racecourse, Scotland.

Ayr  is a pleasant coastal town about 30 mins drive south from Glasgow.

All up there were eight races with first at 1.20pm and last at 5.05pm. Weather was cold and overcast but dry. Good attendance from the public and, overall, I thought the facilities at Ayr were first class.

The images and video clip should provide a flavour for the event.

Raceday at Ayr, Scotland

Racemeeting at Ayr, Scotland

Betting and Racecourse, Ayr, Scotland

Race Stand at Ayr, Scotland

Racing at Ayr would provide a convivial afternoon out for a family, dedicated race goers or corporate entertainment.

Clubhouse, Hampden Bowling Club, Glasgow

This evening I am posting information on the historic development of football ( soccer) in Glasgow.

It is apparent that Scotland was at the forefront of the development of football, with Glasgow playing a prominent role. The game was the sport of the working classes and easy to arrange at modest cost. Today, Glasgow is home to the two top teams in Scotland both of which have won honours at the European level in the past. In essence, therefore, Glasgow’s role in the football continues at a high level.

The image above shows the clubhouse at Hampden Bowling Club. This structure may have originated as a very early football building and subsequently relocated to its current site. Conversely, the bowling green may have originated as a football pitch with the clubhouse remaining in situ.

The image below is of Cathkin Park. This was formerly the home of the now defunct Third Lanark club (1903-1967) but may have been the venue for the first international football match in the world (between England and Scotland). The extended oval is a feature of the Scottish game.

Cathkin Park, Glasgow, Scotland

The pitch below is that of Lesser Hampden. The white building in the  middle distance may be the world’s oldest football structure.

Lesser Hampden, Glasgow, Scotland

The next two images show Scotland’s National Football Stadium, at Hampden, Glasgow.

Hampden Football Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland

Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Here is the stadium of Celtic F.C. in Glasgow’s east end. Celtic has a strong following in the Roman Catholic community. The club was  founded by a Catholic priest in 1888.

Celtic Football Club, Parkhead, Glasgow

Celtic Football Stadium, Parkhead, Glasgow

The following two images show Rangers Football Club stadium. This club is based near Govan and has  a strong following in the Protestant comunity. It was founded in 1872.

Rangers Football Stadium, Ibrox, Glasgow

Rangers Football Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland

Today, football (soccer) remains strongly supported in Glasgow.