March 2009

  • Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

    By roskopp on 3/24/09 4:41am
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    Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a fantastic visitor attraction. It is located in the picturesque Kelvin Park on Argyle Street in the West End of Glasgow. Open every day from 10AM to 5PM (11-5 on a Sunday) Kelvingrove is free to enter and there is plenty to see and do for people of all ages and interests.

    The building itself was designed as part of the International Exhibition in 1901 and it was completely refurbished just a few years ago at a cost of around £30 million. The Queen re-opened it in 2006 and it attracts an impressive number of visitors every year, well over 1 million.

    There are various things to see at Kelvingrove and while entry to the main building is free there are often special exhibitions which have an entry fee associated. However the free exhibitions are varied and this is one of the best civic collections in Europe. There are archaeology exhibits, natural world exhibits, armour and weaponry and a huge collection of fine art.

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  • Scott Monument

    By roskopp on 3/18/09 4:40am
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    The Scott Monument in EdinburghThe Scott Monument stands in Princes Street gardens close to Waverley Railway Station in Edinburgh. It is a Victorian Gothic monument to one of the most famous and well loved authors to come out of Scotland, Sir Walter Scott. Visitors to Edinburgh will find a number of place names including the railway station (Waverley) are named after the works of Scott or famous characters that he created.

    He was an author, a poet and an accomplished historian born in 1771. He was educated in Edinburgh and worked as a lawyer before turning his hand to writing. He was interested in tradition and collected a number of songs and poems during his travels. He wanted to preserve the mythology of Scotland and his writing romanticised our history for a new generation helping to create a new sense of national pride.

    Scott understood Victorian society very well and his writing style appealed to the people of the age like nothing before.

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  • Whisky Galore

    By roskopp on 3/4/09 4:25am
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    Inside the Glenmorangie distilleryThere is no denying that whisky is a popular drink in Scotland and one of our most famous exports. There are several famous brands of whisky which are produced exclusively in Scotland and in recent years the world seems to have woken up to the wonder of single malts. As the tourist trade has grown whisky sales have kept pace and the distillery tour has become an essential part of visiting Scotland for a lot of people.

    Interestingly enough there were over 200 distilleries in Scotland back in the 19th century but many closed during the harsh economic conditions post World War II. After the war sales began to rise again but it was blended scotch that was popular with the masses at home and abroad. There was another crash in the industry in the 1980’s and more distilleries were lost forever but as people learned a new appreciation of single malts the industry took off once again.

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