Glasgow streets, a very old house and an eclectic collection

Despite wet and windy weather, we were determined to start on the 'Glasgow Streets' walk this morning. Our first stop was the Glasgow Cathedral, St Mungo's. Unfortunately it was not open to tourists until the afternoon so we continued up the hill behind the cathedral to the Glasgow Necropolis whose monuments could be seen in a striking silhouette on the skyline above the church.

Glasgow Necropolis on the hill above the Cathedral

Sheltering amongst the tombs

We continued the walk through the East End, past the Tolbooth Steeple (the surviving remnant of a church built in 1662) to the People's Palace and Glasgow Green. There we found the Doulton Fountain (a huge and elaborate Victorian monument with statues representing each part of the British Empire) and the gorgeous 1889 Templeton's  Carpet Factory building, looking more like a palace with its ornate arched windows, turrets and mosaics.

'Australia' represented on the Doulton Fountain

Templeton's Carpet Factory

Finally succumbing to the wild weather, we gave up the walk at this point and returned to the cathedral precinct to visit Provand's Lordship, the oldest house in Glasgow. Built in 1471, it was originally the manse for the Canon of the Chapel and Master of the Hospital of St Nicholas. After the Reformation it became a private residence and commercial premises then fell into ruin until it was restored by the Provand's Lordship Society in the 1980s.   

From there we returned to the car and drove six miles south of the city to Pollocks Country Park and the Burrell Collection. A late lunch in the cafe restored our energy and some sunshine restored our spirits as we wandered along the gallery where the sun brought to life medieval stained glass windows which were on display.

Other highlights of the collection, which is housed in a striking, modern building in the midst of woodland, were the medieval furniture which Sir William Burrell collected and displayed in his residence at Hutton Hall; numerous examples of medieval tapestry, beadwork and embroidery; and several carved limestone portals from medieval churches. 

Shipping magnate Sir William Burrell collected over 8,000 items which he donated to Glasgow and the museum was purpose-built to house the collection on a property also donated to the city by the Maxwell family. We enjoyed the eclectic nature of the collection and the way it reflected the interests of Sir William throughout his life, despite our disappointment that the weather did not allow us to enjoy Pollock Park as well.