Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Enter:
5
Kelvingrove Park
Originally West End Park, the development of this hilly and lush open space
on the meandering banks of the River Kelvin was commissioned to Sir Joseph
Paxton in 1854, although construction apparently began a year before he pro-
duced his plans. At this elevated entrance is the statue of Lord Roberts on his
steed. Down the hill to the left, the Gothic Stewart Memorial Fountain
includes signs of the zodiac and scenes that depict the source of the city's main
supply of water: Loch Katrine. Crossing the river below Park Gate at the High-
land Light Infantry Memorial is the faded red sandstone Prince of Wales
Bridge. Across the bridge looking back at you is the head of historian/writer
Thomas Carlyle emerging from the roughly hewn stone.
17
If facing the bridge at the infantry memorial, go right (north) and follow one of the
two paths that run along the river and exit the park at:
6
Gibson Street
Leaving the park, turn left (west) and cross the short road bridge that brings
you into the Hillhead district, which includes the main campus of the Univer-
sity of Glasgow on Gilmorehill, and the NHS Western Infirmary.
7 Stravaigin Cafe Bar
On Gibson Street, Stravaigin Cafe Bar (28 Gibson St.;
&
0141/334-2665) is an ideal place
to stop for a coffee, a bite to eat, or a drink. “Stravaig” means “to wander” in Scots. The
basement restaurant is one of the most innovative and well-regarded in the city, and the
same chefs prepare food on the less adventurous but still excellent cafe/bar menu. Alter-
natively, if you just want a coffee or cup of tea, try Offshore Café across the street. See
p. 190 for a full review of Stravaigin.
Continue west on Gibson Street to Bank Street, go right (north) 1 block to Great
George Street, then left (west) 1 block to Oakfield Avenue and:
8
Eton Terrace
Here, on the corner across from Hillhead High School, is the unmistakable
hand of Alexander “Greek” Thomson on an impressive (if rather poorly main-
tained) terrace of eight houses completed in 1864 (following his similarly
designed Moray Place; see “Walking Tour 4: The Southside,” p. 221). Two
temple-like facades serve as bookends—both pushing slightly forward and ris-
ing one floor higher than the rest—which have double porches fashioned after
the Choragic Monument of Thrasyllus in Athens. For all his admiration of
Eastern design, Thomson ironically never traveled outside the U.K.
Return to the corner of Great George Street and follow Oakfield Avenue, crossing Gib-
son Street to University Avenue, then turn right up the hill to the:
9
University of Glasgow
While aficionados rightfully bemoan the loss of the original campus east of the
High Street—which may have offered the best examples of 17th-century archi-
tecture in Scotland—the university moved here in the 1860s. The city could