Postcards - Glasgow 2006
Summerlee Heritage Museum
This small but interesting industrial and transport museum includes tram rides, a working saw-mill (but not on the day I visited.), and some railway and shipping exhibits.
This old-looking ship is actually a 1980s replica of the first iron ship to be constructed in Scotland.
This splendid South African Beyer-Garrett locomotive is unfortunately positioned so that one can't get a picture without a pole in the way.
Anniesland
I took a ride on the recently re-opened railway from Maryhill to Anniesland. Here is the train in the bay platform at Anniesland. To avoid the costs of signalling changes there is no connection to the main line here.
Glasgow Green
This park near central Grasgow features the People's Palace and Winter Gardens.
More importantly, inside this stunning building - a former carpet factory - is the West Brewing Company, an excellent German-style brewery and restaurant. Highly recommended!
Larkhall
The recently re-opened line to Larkhall was previously closed to passengers in 1965 and to all trains in 1968. You can see the route continuing on beyond the new buffer stops at Larkhall.
Wanlockhead
The pretty village of Wanlockhead, in the Southern Uplands, is the highest village in Scotland. A former lead mining village it is now home to an excellent mining museum.
The museum features an interesting trip down an old working, and a miner's cottage restored to how it would have been in the 18th Century. The floor is covered in rushes and the window is boarded up to avoid paying glass tax.
Other interesting relics are scattered up and down the valley. On the right is a 19th century beam engine used for pumping water out of the mine. It was powered by water.
Also in the valley are remains of more modern mining, the last lead mining operations in this area finished in the 1950s.
How about this for a steep back garden!
The Isle Of Arran
I took a ferry trip to Brodick on the Isle Of Arran.
Brodick Castle, a couple of miles from the village, is well worth a visit. The castle sits in a very nice country park, and the interior is very impressive. I managed to snap one shot of the trophies on the staircase before I spotted the sign barring photography.
Nearby I found the Arran Farmers' Show, a traditional country show with farm machinery, cattle and sheep on show, etc, all in a field surrounded by impressive mountain scenery.
Next, a walk along the beach back to the village and the ferry terminal.
Another heavy shower came over the hills as we departed for the mainland, chased by a number of seagulls.
The mainland end of the ferry service is at Ardrossan.
The connecting train for Glasgow waits at the spartan Ardrossan Harbour station.
The Isle Of Bute
My final excursion was another ferry ride, to Rothesay on Bute. The ferry runs from the beautifully restored station at Wemyss Bay.
Here's a shot of the terminal from the departing ship, and the M.V. Bute at Rothesay.
The Isle of Bute was important in the wars between the Scots and the Norwegians who controlled most of the Western Isles. Rothesay Castle changed hands a number of times during the battles.
Rothesay has a zig-zag road up a steep hill, just like the more famous one in San Fancisco.
The famous paddle-steamer Waverley called briefly at Rothesay while I was there, here she is reversing away from the dock, and M.V. Juno coming in to take me back to Wemyss Bay.
Finally, just time before returning to England to visit the Clockwork Beer Company, a splendid brewery/restaurant/bar in suburban Glasgow. They serve a wide range of real ales, including a number of their own brews, a vast selection of bottled beer from around the world, and the food looks good as well.
