A Wander Up The Clyde

Glasgow was once known as the second city of the British Empire and was founded on the ship building industry - over 30,000 ships were built here over the years including the RMS QE and RMS QE2. Although most of the ship builders have sadly long gone, there is still a lot of ship building history visible if you care to look. The bulk of the industry was located on the South bank of the Clyde at Govan, but stretches a long way upstream. Walking the Clyde is a great way to pass the day - start at the Riverside Museum and walk upstream through the city centre and through Glasgow Green. There is actually a Glasgow Clyde Bridge walk to help guide the way and add a little extra history to the wander, the most well known the Clyde Arc (or Squinty Bridge as Glasgow folk call it).

The Squinty Bridge at a winter sunrise

…and at a winter sunset.

The Riverside museum and Pacific Quay is where to start, you can’t miss the Finnieston Crane - a huge cantilever crane that was used to load cargo onto ships for export around the world. It was built in 1931 and apparently still in working order, although now maintained as a landmark and it dominates the city skyline alongside the Hydro, Armadillo and the television studios. If you are walking here - there is a great coffee cabin near the entrance to the BBC to fuel your wander.

The Finnieston Crane at Pacific Quay

Stay on the north bank where there is a walkway all the way through the city towards Glasgow Green (if you need a top up on the sustenance Pie Pie is a gorgeous wee Greek place set just across the road from the Riverside Casino!).

View from blue bridge, bit about Humane Society