My Scotland: Heather Findlay pens a love letter to Glasgow

Heather Findlay pens a love letter to her home city of Glasgow and takes on the difficult task of picking her three favourite spots.

The Necropolis

It might sound a little morbid to have one of my top spots in Glasgow as a cemetery, but this is a cemetery like no other.

There are tombs and monuments designed by the likes of Alexander ‘Greek’ Thompson, Charles Rennie MacKintosh and David Hamilton, many of them a marvel to see. The Necropolis dates back to the 1830s and is laid out in such a way that you can take an easy wander to the top of the hill, where you find many of the larger monuments. Don’t miss the memorial to William Miller, the poet who wrote Wee Willie Winkie, recited by many a child.

As you’d imagine it’s a quiet place, which so close to the city centre is hard to find. It offers a serene atmosphere, steeped in the history of Glasgow and her people.

The view across the city to the cathedral and the Royal Infirmary is one of my favourites, rain or shine.

Andina

Strong, smooth and just the right side of bitter, the Columbian coffee served up by top class staff makes this coffee spot is my absolute first choice, always.

The original location can be found on Duke Street and I’ve been going there for a few years now. It’s such a welcoming space, I’ve literally sat here for hours reading, working and shimmying along to the Columbian tunes. You can find their second location in Finnieston, where the vibe and coffee is just as moreish.

Quite simply, this is the best coffee on offer in Glasgow.

The People’s Palace

I have visited this place since I was a wee girl and its the place to go if you want to learn a bit about Glasgow and what makes her people.

The museum is packed with interesting artefacts from Glasgow’s history, such as the famous banana boots worn by the Big Yin himself.

What I love most about it is that the stories I listened to as a wee girl, about Glasgow, are all in there. The displays are easy to walk round and take in. I’m now of an age where I can find bits in there that remind me of growing up in the city myself.

At the moment unfortunately, the Winter Gardens remain closed after being allowed to fall into disrepair. This is a unforgiveable, because at its best, the glasshouse rivalled the Kibble Palace at the other side of the city. It’s certainly somewhere I hope to see restored to full glory in the future.

Follow Heather’s adventures in Glasgow and beyond at @altogether__heatherr on Instagram.