This Monday Walk is as much about a walk I didn't take as the one I did - which was, I admit, relatively short, encompassing pretty much all in this photo
It was early morning in Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow. I had half an hour or so while my cousin was getting her hair done to wander by myself. I quite like this village square - it's meandering, yet compact. And has a bit of pretty much everything for your shopping needs. There is a nearby train station and Marks & Spencers with good parking (and even a bench to make Jude swoon - skip to the end if you must sit)
Isn't this a great clock?! It was originally at Copland & Lye's department store in Sauchiehall St Glasgow and was donated to Milngavie Town Council when the building was demolished and has sat on this plinth since 1981.
Milngavie - which, by the way, is pronounced "mull-guy" - is the start of the West Highland Way, a 95 mile walk through such scenic spots as Loch Lomond, Glen Falloch, Glencoe, climbing up something called 'the Devil's Staircase' (sounds ominous and challenging) and climbing back down to Glen Nevis and finishing at Fort William at the top of the country.
the gateway on Douglas St
and the obelisk marking the start
It is necessary to have your picture taken at the obelisk before you begin your journey. I had already been asked to take this man's photo, but when I turned around I saw he had recruited another photographer! (yes, I felt a bit insulted) I've never walked the West Highland Way, though I have taken a few, much shorter, hikes around Milngavie. But not on this trip. And I don't think I took any pictures when I was on those hikes; at least I can't find any if I did.
Before setting off, you want to pay a visit to the Official West Highland Way Office for weather and route updates. Or if you're me, only walking through the pedestrianized village centre, a souvenir or two to spend your last few £
And this Iron Chef is a delight to wander around, whether or not you are needing supplies. It is packed with interesting bits of hardware for all your hiking and camping needs!
When I was there, the flowers were in full bloom (the town was all prettied up for the Commonwealth games)
but we really need to take a better look at the benches under the gateway. a piece of useful sculpture.
and perfect for Jude's bench series for unusual benches!
I'm not sure I've ever visited Milngavie. Perhaps we should!
ReplyDeleteI will give you a heads up for my next visit - and we can try again to meet, perhaps here :)
DeleteFascinating! I love the iron chef store. Your pictures tell the perfect story.
ReplyDeleteThanks. The Iron Chef is a small shop, but crammed with stuff. I could have spent an hour in there, poking around (and I may have on a previous occasion!)
DeleteAll very familiar to me! I have never done the West Highland Way either but use sections of it for a pleasant walk sometimes. There is another souvenir of Coopers and Lybrand in the sculpture court at Glasgow Universitiy's Hunterian Art Gallery - the lantern and finial from the dome, as designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
ReplyDeleteAnabel's Travel Blog
Except a) I've got the name wrong and b) I've just remembered the lantern's from Pettigrew and Stephens store anyway. Doh!
DeleteI don't think I knew where that clock came from, or if I did I'd forgotten. I read something about the finial and lantern at the Hunterian, or is there maybe something else from the C&L that is in storage somewhere? I'm not familiar with either of those establishments.
DeleteThe Hunterian is well worth a visit - both museum and art gallery.
DeleteOh, but Jude would love that bench! She's almost got me campaigning on her behalf :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Violet!
I keep meaning to collect benches so I can participate, but I haven't very many original ones. This is definitely the best.
DeleteA great stroll. Tom The Backroads Traveller
ReplyDeleteit was definitely a 'stroll' as opposed to a walk.
DeleteBeautiful little town.
ReplyDeleteit is a very pretty town centre. on one of my first visits there, I spend hours wandering around. it's small but has many interesting things to look at. (or maybe it was all just new and different to me?!)
DeleteOh there are so many delightful towns in Scotland, I really do need to spend more holidays up there, this one is a beauty! Love the clock. And as Jo says you really should link this bench to my next month's theme of unusual benches, it would fit in perfectly. I may even sneak in a link to it myself if you don't mind.
ReplyDeleteJude xx
now that we have each other's links, it should happen ;)
DeleteI read your interesting post - but I thought: What that's got to do with a bench? But then came the end. Wow! Beautiful unusual bench!
ReplyDeleteyes, the build up was a bit much, but well worth the read, I trust!
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