Sunday 9 February 2014

An artful flying visit to Glasgow

A couple of days ago we went to Scotland for a flying visit to Him Indoors' family in Glasgow. Before I moved down to England, I lived for many years outside of Glasgow and every trip back up north revisiting places that I know very well carries with it a strange sensation of familiarity, although Glasgow hasn't actually been my home for a long time now. It was a very short and intense visit with the family and even though Scotland unfortunately didn't show its sunny side, we couldn't let this hold us back since we had a long list of things to do and very little time to get them done. We did also manage to get a few hours to ourselves and we ended up visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

The building itself is worthy of note, a large and imposing late Victorian red sandstone contruction, it is one of Glasgow's landmark buildings. It is also famous for the myth that it was built back-to-front and the architect jumped to his death from one of it's towers.
- See more at: http://www.glasgowwestend.co.uk/out/galleries/kelvingrove.html#sthash.4dQF5Cu8.d

The massive grande Victorian Kelvingrove gallery is one of the most famous landmarks in Glasgow. According to legend the building was accidentally built the back to front which made the architect so upset that he threw himself from one of the towers... The museum not only has one of the greatest art collections in Europe but it also has an incredibly eclectic mix of exhibitions and items on display and you'll find a pharaonic sarcophagos next to medieval weapons, stuffed animals and above it all hangs a spitfire - so there's bound to be something of interest for everyone. When you've finished walking around get yourself something from the lovely coffee shop or take a seat and listen to one of the concerts that's played every day on the impressive organ in the central hall.  
The main reason we went to the Kelvingrove was to see the Jack Vettriano exhibition. Jack Vettriano is a Scottish painter and although you may not have heard his name, I bet you've seen one of his paintings which are very popular in print, and one of them is even the most sold image in Britain. I'd only previously seen the pictures of different couples dancing on a beach, so it was really interesting to see other works too and for me there's a very distinct feel of old Hollywood films about them.
If you're interested in the Jack Vettriano exhibition, make sure that you visit the Kelvingrove by February 23, and if you have plans on visiting Glasgow at some point this year you should definitely plan to spend a few hrs at the Kelvingrove - it's well worth a visit and it's a fun FREE day out (and no - I'm not sponsored by Visit Scotland...). After just a few days it was time to pack the suitcase again, convince Him Indoors to carry all my heavy stuff and that duty free shopping is very important for me to calm my pre-flight nerves and then off we were to get on another plane. Luckily the flight back down south is only 1 hr and it wasn't too bad actually, and I even managed to take some more photos on the way.
Hope you all have a great relaxing Sunday and tomorrow it's Monday again (where do the weeks go?!) and I'm back with a new post - hmmm I wonder what the topic might be...?

39 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos, especially the ones from the plane! I love Glasgow, not been for years but it's such a lovely city x

    Claire | AgentSmyth | Giveaway

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    1. That's so nice of you - thank you :o). Xx

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  2. Incredible photos, so much character. Is that a big giraffe?! Loved seeing these beautiful pictures.

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    1. It is a giraffe - it's the strangest mix of things I've ever seen :o). Xx

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  3. Ah this makes me so nostalgic. I miss Glasgow. I spent five years there at uni and recently moved to the Midlands, which other than being home to lots of formula one team's for jobs doesn't have as much of a homely feeling to it. I love Kelvin grove though, it really is great. I wish I had lived in the west end, but it was too far from my uni and a bit expensive. Xx

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    1. West End is amazing a village in a city :o). Xx

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  4. great photos , looks an amazing time you had . I miss Glasgow alot :) its a nice city !
    Melissa x
    My Blog | My YouTube

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  5. What fabulous architecture - I'd love to visit Glasgow, such an easy flight too!
    Josie xoxo Fashion Mumblr

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    1. Glasgow has soo much to offer so you should definitely go it you get the chance :o). Xx

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  6. Glasgow looks so beautiful, great pictures x

    daisy-drops

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  7. Beautiful pictures :)
    http://fashionovertheainbow.blogspot.com/

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  8. awesome pictures, Scotland and Glasgow have been on my 'to visit' place for such a long time and this is making me just want to go there even more <3

    http://amelodyofdiaries.blogspot.co.uk/
    http://www.youtube.com/marieljanina

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    1. Ah, thank you so much - I hope you get a chance to go - you'd have a fab time :o). Xx

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    1. That's really nice of you - thank you! :o). Xx

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  10. Looks like you had a fab time! x

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    1. It's always nice to catch up with family, although shame it was such a short time :o). Xx

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  11. I love those pictures! Such a fan of architecture!

    Much love xxx
    http://christinanista.blogspot.de/

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    1. Thank you very much, you would have lots of things to look at in Glasgow :o). Xx

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  12. Beautiful place and lovely pictures!

    www.steffystravelblog.blogspot.com

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  13. looks amazing Charlotte! I can't wait to visit Glasgow it's on my list of places to go this year :) Glad you had a nice time xx

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    1. Thanks a million my dear - hope you are well :o). Xx

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    1. Glasgow has lots to offer - fab restaurants and cafés, great attractions and super shopping :o). Xx

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  15. You always have spectacular photos on our posts! What camera do you use? :)

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    1. Ah, thank you so much, that's so nice of you - I've got my trusted Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ28 :o). Xx

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    1. Oh you should, it's a great place to visit :o). Xx

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  17. amazing pictures, i'd love to visit glasgow :)

    xo

    Inspirations Have I None

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    1. Thank you so much, that really means a lot :o). Xx

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  18. Your pics are so beautiful, I'd love to leave tomorrow for a visit :) instead of having to go to office...! Kisses

    Fashion and Cookies
    Facebook / G+ / Bloglovin

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    1. LOL - I know how you feel, thank you very much for the lovely comment :o). Xx

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  19. Id love to visit Glasgow too, must be an amazing place. Seem you had a really lovely time, the exhibit sounds interesting. Kisses! xo

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    1. It's a great place to visit, you'd have a fab time :o). Xx

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  20. I adore seeing pictures from you travels! Thanks for sharing dear!
    xoxo Lauren
    www.willsingformakeup.com

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  21. I live just outside Glasgow and Kelvingrove AGAM is one of my absolute favourite places - the building is beautiful and there's always something new to discover! Lovely post ^_^

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    1. Thank you so much Emily - that's really nice of you :o). Xx

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