
Bagpipes at George Square
For our May vacation, Koen and I headed to Scotland with our friends Chris and Hannah. Our main destination was the Isle of Islay, but to start and finish the trip we spent some time in Glasgow.
Day One was our only rainy day, so we should consider ourselves lucky! So for our rainy day we started off by walking to the Willow Tearooms for afternoon tea. While planning the trip, I found out that the Tearoom in Savannah is based on this tearoom in Glasgow! What makes it so special? It was designed by the Glasgownian architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901. You can’t escape the city without seeing at least a few of his works!

Walking across the bridge to get to the city center

Walking through the shopping streets

Ingram Street car park mural by Sam Bates

Glasgow’s Archway

Exciting to stumble upon a bagpige performance at George Square!

Statue of Dr. Thomas Graham and Glasgow City Chambers

George Square

The Willow Tearooms

First floor dining

Our table was in the Room de Luxe

Afternoon tea for Hannah, Chris, and me

Koen’s Scottish Rarebit & Ayrshire back bacon
After lunch we headed to the Glasgow School of Art, known to be the masterwork of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Unfortunately when we arrived we learned that there had been a fire and it was momentarily closed to the public. So then we headed to the Centre for Contemporary Arts for the Pilvi Takala exhibit – definitely recommend if you’re in the area!

The Glasgow School of Art

“I’m God” by Pete Reason, found on the way to the CCA

Pilvi Takala exhibit

Inside the CCA
After the exhibit we were ready for a pint in a local pub. It seemed like a sign once we found Holland Street (I mean a group with 3 Dutch people) and saw a cozy looking pub called The State!

The State: “We serve drinks, not drunks”

Inside

Chris and Koen
After our pints, we went to another Charles Rennie Mackintosh work – The Lighthouse, Glasgow’s Centre for Design and Architecture.

The Lighthouse

This way to the restroom!

A bit of info about the Willow Tearooms

View from the top

View from the top

Looking down

Spotted!

Aw

View from inside the Lighthouse

Having fun
After The Lighthouse we were ready for another drink – this time at the Doghouse, from the brewery BrewDog.

Passed the Museum of Modern Art

Doghouse

Waiting for my drink

Hannah and Koen

Chris and me
For dinner we all agreed on Indian. I did my research – Glasgow and London are supposed to have the best Indian restaurants in the UK! We decided on Charcoal’s and definitely weren’t disappointed!

Outside

Mango lassi

Garlic naan

South Indian Garlic Chilli Chicken