A Walk in the Park
Coming from the Bush Capital, finding places to stretch our legs in the great outdoors in Glasgow is a priority. Walking through the streets lined with beautiful old buildings, steeped in history is one way to do it. Exploring Glasgow’s many beautiful parks is another.
Our cab driver (ever a reliable source of local knowledge, second only to a barber) told us that Glasgow has the most public parks of any city in Scotland, and it seems it also punches above its weight in the UK more generally.
Always Kelvingrove, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
The first thing that we realised is that Glaswegian parks are very different to the Australian parks and National Parks that we are so used to exploring. While they are much more manicured and a teeny bit smaller compared to home (remembering that Namadgi National Park takes up almost 50% of the ACT’s land area..), Glaswegian parks have oodles of charm.
Kelvingrove Park is our local. Less than 5 minutes walk from our flat, this Victorian style park is set along the River Kelvin. The Stewart Memorial Fountain, erected in the 1870s and restored in 2009, is dedicated to Lord Provost Stewart who a played a starring part in securing Glasgow’s water supply from Loch Katrine, some 40miles north of the city. The tap water here is ace, and the stone-carved birds of prey of the foundation are stunning, so thanks Stew!
Thanks Stew, Stewart Memorial Fountain, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
The park is also home to the much acclaimed (and yet to be explored) Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. First opening its doors as part of the Glasgow International Exhibition in 1901, the redbrick Spanish Baroque building stands out amongst the cities predominantly Victorian and Georgian style buildings. More to come after we have actually been inside, I’m sure.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow
Pollok Country Park on the southside of the river was once voted both the UK’s (2007) and Europe’s (2008) best park. It is Glasgow’s one and only Country Park meaning not only does it have woodlands, ponds, squirrels and walking and mountain bike tracks, it is also home to two (rival) rugby clubs, a golf course and a couple of Glasgow’s most famous institutions.
Tree Trail, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
Pollok House built in 1790s, is run by the National Trust for Scotland and when refurbishments are finished in 2017, will probably be my first experience of an ‘upstairs, downstairs’ British home from 20th century. The Burrell Collection is also housed in Pollok Park, but unfortunately it is also closed until 2017. Lucky the hairy coos in the paddocks were out for a munch on the day we visited.
The Glasgow Necropolis sits atop a hill next to Glasgow Cathedral. With 3,500 mausoleums, monuments and tombs remembering 50,000 Glaswegians who have been interred here from the Victorian period to now. Park rangers today manage the Necropolis, and a walk through its grounds is a perhaps surprisingly beautiful and peaceful way to spend an afternoon in the sun.
Mausoleum for Crows, Monteath Mausoleum, Glasgow Necropolis
The Monteath Mausoleum, built for Major Archibald Douglas Monteath of the East India Trading Company who was interred in 1842. It was visited only by us and by crow upon its roof. The jury is still out, but historical rumour suggests Major Monteath made his fortune when whilst in India, ‘an elephant carrying precious gems belonging to a Maharajah was captured and ‘relieved’ of its load by him.’ Relieving an elephant of its load – what a way to make your money.
Glasshouse, Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Glasgow Botanic Gardens is perhaps the early forerunner for my favourite Glaswegian Park. Compact grounds set further north along the River Kelvin, with the Glasshouses a particular treat to explore.
Eating Flies, Carnivorous Plants, Glasgow Botanic Gardens
With a whole house dedicated to carnivorous plants, hard to spot Australian eucalypts and ferns, and literally thousands of succulents that fill my favourite house, I think this place will be hard to beat for an arvo stroll. Not to mention – the greenhouses are a warm and toasty place to take a seat and enjoy a book and a cuppa.
