City Centre Murals - Part#2

"Five Faces" on the piers of the Railway Bridge in Broomielaw

Gallery, York St

Glesga Crocodile, Charing Cross

Hand Shadow Puppets, Cowcaddans Underpass

The Swimmer, Kingston Bridge

North of the city centre in Springburn this mural commemorates the steam engines that were once built in this area

Big Birds, Howard St

The World's Most Economical Taxi in Mitchell St.

Honey I Shunk the Kids in Mitchell St

Spaceman in New Wynd

City Centre Murals - Part#1

On my weekly visit to the city centre I noticed a striking mural being painted on the gable end of a tenement block in High Street. Apparently the mural depicts St Mungo, the patron saint of the city, in modern dress.

There are quite a lot of mural in the city centre so I went to find as many as I could.

"Fellow Glasgow Residents" in Ingram St illustrates wildlife in the city.

"Hip Hop Marionettes" in John Street

Badminton mural in the Merchant City

On buildings at Strathclyde University

This one depicts a lecture with old and new students

Dansken equatorial telescope – was located in the observatory dome on the top floor of what was then called the Royal Technical College, in the 1920s.

This mural – inspired by a 1913 photograph – tells the story of the Land-Ship, a mock navigation bridge which had been built on the roof of the School of Navigation in the Royal College. The Land-Ship was a revolving platform with a Kelvin compass mounted on the top and it was used to teach the School’s students the principles of compass adjustment.

Templeton Business Centre

This is one of the most famous buildings in Glasgow. The main building was constructed in 1889 as a carpet factory. It is described as being in the Venetian Gothic style. The factory faces a public park, Glasgow Green, east of the city centre. The story is that several proposed designs were rejected as being unsuitable for such a high profile location. The owners then engaged an architect who based a design on the Doge's Palace in Venice on the grounds that this could not possibly be objected to.    

The Doge's Palace, Venice

Attached to the building is the West brewery and restaurant. They make German style beer and have a German restaurant. I had lunch there a few weeks ago and can strongly recommend it

Near the building I found this charming piece of Victoriana - a commemorative drinking fountain.

Chatelherault

This is an impressive building in Hamilton, just south of Glasgow. But it was merely the hunting lodge of a much bigger property, Hamilton Palace. It is located within the former estate of the Dukes of Hamilton. They were hugely wealthy and built the hunting lodge in 1734. The lodge consists of a pair of pavilions linked by a wall. It was intended to be an impressive sight against the skyline when viewed from the palace a mile away and linked by a tree lined avenue. When I add that the lodge had a leopard house you'll get an idea of the extravagant luxury here.

The Dukes' wealth came from their ownership of the Lanarkshire coal mines. But the mines caused subsidence which, in part, led to the demolition of the palace in 1929. The palace was the largest non-royal residence in Britain and perhaps Europe. The lodge was abandoned at that time and fell into disrepair. It was restored by the local council in the 1980's and the lodge and grounds is now a well-visited attraction.

The lodge was so named because the Duke also held the French title of duc de Châtellerault.

Hamilton Palace

London Pubs

On a recent visit to capital I snapped some impressive drinking establishments. Mostly Victorian but some a lot older.

Duke's Head, Putney. Beside the River Thames and no doubt popular with the rowers from the nearby clubs.

The Bricklayer's Arms, Putney. The first Thursday in the month is S&M night. Don't ask me how I know, I just do.

The World's End, Chelsea. English Heritage call it "a fine example of a public house in the gin palace genre".

The Jolly Gardeners, Putney. A good place for "al Fresco" drinking. Outside it has "potting sheds". They have fierce infra red heaters that will cope with any cold you'll get in London.

The Railway, Putney. Part of the vast Witherspoon empire.

 The Spotted Horse, Putney. Over 250 years old.

The Coat and Badge, Putney. More outdoor boozing. Do they know that there's cows on the roof?

 The Admiralty, near Trafalgar Square

 The Clachan in central London. A common pub name in Scotland.

The Eight Bells, Fulham. Established in 1629 but the building is a century or so younger. My "local" in the capital.

 The Half Moon, Putney. A famous music venue and a nice pub.