2011 Blog Postings: January to December

Annual Summary of Blog Postings

January

Regretfully, this month I didn't write a sodding thing on the ol' Top Ten Glasgow Guide, principally because my son had just been born.

Muchos apologistas!

February

The Sisters Kelvingrove

And about time to, you may say.

Having visited recently my favourite Scottish restaurant Glasgow has to offer, the Sisters Kelvingrove, I reminded myself that until now I'd completely forgotten to insert it into my little list of the top ten restaurants in the City.

Total wally, I know.

So here's a wee review, and I hope I've done it justice and manage to persuade some more folks to visit - if you do, you will not be disappointed.

As for what's been going on during this extended period of silence on the site, of late my time's been swallowed up by a crying baby, so writing this review is but a mere pause between nappy changes. I'm sure I'll be back on course once the wee fella's completely self-sufficient, say, in about two months time (eh?...eh?...), so until then I'll check in whenever I can, and thanks for your continued support while I've been away.

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March

Glee at Glasgow Cathedral

In support of the Glasgow Cathedral Choir, The Cathedral music committee is pleased to present, for one performance only, the Cornell University Glee Club A Cappella Group.

The performance will take place in the Nave of Glasgow Cathedral, 2 Castle Street, at 7:30 PM on Wednesday the 23rd of March. Tickets at the door only at 15 pounds / (10 pounds concession including students).

The group is one of the premiere all-male collegiate a cappella groups in the USA and has toured and performed all over the world, including China, Spain and Italy in recent years - performing at the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Center and at Disney World in the past year. They also had the opportunity to perform for Supreme Court Justice and Cornell alumna Ruth Bader Ginsburg 54 at the Supreme Court with the Glee Club. The group has also received accolades for bringing the tone and blend of the Glee Club to popular music, giving them a unique and powerful sound.

They have released 13 albums, of which the most recent - Three Sheets to the Wind (2008) received nominations for Best Male Collegiate Album, Best Humor Song, Best Male Soloist and Best Hip-Hop/R&B Song in the 2009 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards.

For further information please contact Glen Collie, Session Clerk: or . Or see the Cathedral website, www.glasgowcathedral.org.uk.

Click for more info

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Thanks Yuli

Always good to get another's perspective of life in Glasgow, so thanks again Yuli for keeping us up to date.

As for Yuli's site, if you're planning a visit to Glasgow you might want to try EasyToBook.com, which offers plenty of hotels in the City as well as the rest of Europe.

Click for more info

Molly Malones Glasgow

By Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, guest blogger from EasyToBook.com.

There is no better way to finish this "Glasgow's Top 5 Hot Spots" list than with a cool Irish pub. The best thing about Irish pubs is the fact that you always know what to expect. The same old 'cozy atmosphere combined with good beer on the menu' method, always wins. Aside from the amazing vibe, Molly Malone's also offer live shows every Friday and Saturday evening. Enjoy a cold beer with some salty nuts on the side while listening to some great local artists.

Address: 244 Hope Street, City Centre, Glasgow G2 3PT,

Click for more info

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Buchanan Galleries Shopping Glasgow

By Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, guest blogger from EasyToBook.com.

After a long night of dancing it might be good to do something relaxing like retail shopping. This stylish shopping centre is considered to be one of the best and most luxurious in the city. The mall is located in the city centre and you will be able to find there more than 90 brands. Other than big names such as H&M and Mango, the mall also offers smaller boutiques where upcoming designers are able to showcase their work. Enjoy a full day strolling around the shops, eating in one of the available restaurants and browsing at the different sales.

Address: Buchanan Street, Glasgow,

Click for more info

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Nice and Sleazy Bar Glasgow

By Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, guest blogger from EasyToBook.com.

If you want to party Glasgow style, then this is the place for you. This extremely popular but yet alternative club is the ultimate place for people who appreciate quality music which is not necessarily mainstream. The place offers a nice experience for all types of music lovers. There are live gigs every other night, a dance hall for pumping parties, and different party themes every week in order to make sure that there are enough options to choose from. After a long night of dancing and drinking you will probably get some appetite - just order one of their tasty night meals, (such as halloumi burger or Spanish frittata) and keep on partying.

Address: 421 Sauchiehall St, City Centre Glasgow G2 3LG

Click for more info

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Blue Dog Bar Glasgow

By Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, guest blogger from EasyToBook.com.

The Blue Dog Bar is an extremely popular place in Glasgow thanks to its laid back atmosphere and old school vibe. This relaxed hot spot opened in 2003 and ever since it has become the number one place for cocktails in town. After a nice dinner head out to the Blue Dog Bar in order to enjoy some jazzy music and exclusive alcohol beverages. When arriving there you will be pleasantly surprised by the crowd. There is a nice mix between old and younger people, all enjoying and engaging together in conversation. The dress code is casual and hassle-free.

Address: 151 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 2JJ -

Click for more info

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Rococo Restaurant Glasgow

By Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, guest blogger from EasyToBook.com.

This beautiful restaurant is by far one of the trendiest places in town. The modern design, creative and super delicious menu, excellent service and intimate atmosphere, all make it a truly unique place. Rococo restaurant has always been a favorite place to have dinner, it is generally free from bad reviews and if you ask any local person, he will for sure recommend you to go there. Even though this hot spot is extremely chic and elegant, you will not get here any stuck up attitude. The friendly staff are always welcoming and happy to serve new and regular clients.

Address: 48 West Regent Street, City Centre, Glasgow -

Click for more info

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Glasgow's Top 5 Hot Spots

By Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, guest blogger from EasyToBook.com.

Glasgow is one of the finest destinations to visit in Europe. The city is vibrant and young, there are plenty of cultural things to see and do, and the stunning architecture makes it a truly magical stay to every kind of traveler. If you are one of these people who love to have fun and explore the local night life while you visit a new place, then these tips are especially for you. We gathered here the top 5 current hot spots in the city which are more than worth visiting. Don't forget to take your camera with you.

Click for more info

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Guest Blogger from Easytobook.com

I'm happy to announce that in the next few blog entries, you'll have access to some excellent tips on getting the very best out of Glasgow from Yuli Linssen Kaminitz, a guest blogger from EasyToBook.com (when I say "happy", that's not merely because it saves me some work...).

So it's over to you Yuli, and in due course you'll see me back here with some exciting updates for the site.

Click for more info

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Some more superb Glasgow sayings

I've updated my little page of traditional Glasgow sayings, having received a bunch of excellent submissions from you in the last few months (it's taken me a while to get around to it so thanks for your patience).

Hopefully you'll enjoy all the new additions, and please keep them coming, as it's always great to get reminded of the ones I've forgotten.

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April

Regretfully, no blogs this month. It was pretty good weather here though, so surely that makes it OK...

May

This is getting pretty embarrassing! 3 months in a row without a peep. My head's getting around to starting this back up again though, so your patience is much appreciated.

June

zarraFAC arrives

Like the podcast scenario, my wee ezine called zarraFAC had been sitting on the backburner since the Dark Ages, but yesterday I finally eeked out five minutes of spare time to upload the very first issue.

After reading it you may well come to the view that I needn't have bothered of course, but hopefully some of you like what you read and give me some feedback to use on the next issue.

This one's all about what's coming up in Glasgow in June, and there's also a chance to find discounts in the City up to 90% off. Have a read and let me know what you think.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "zarraFAC arrives"

A welcome return?

It only took about six months, but Faither and I finally managed to find the microphone again to record a brand new episode of Glasgow Generations last night.

This new one, on the face of it, is all about the No Mean City tag forever associated with Glasgow, which means that in actual fact, we talk more about dirty cinemas and poser pubs. It's available for download now, and we'd love to hear your own memories of old Glesca if you get the chance - just email

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July

Once again, apologies for the gaping hole in my site this month. Halfway through the year and little progress, and to be honest, I don't anticipate much more in the way of development in the coming months either.

It's not for want of trying though, as I'd love to spend some more time on the site, but life just seems to be getting in the way at the moment. Arrabest in the meantime and I hope to get something up before the end of the year.

August

More nothingness this month I'm afraid. Thanks for your emails though, and at least I've managed to answer them all, not that this eases my guilt...

September

All the leaves are beginning to go brown, the sun's fading, and still no sight of new pages on the site. Muchos apologistas therefor.

October

The Hallowe'en masks are gathering at my door, pitch forks in hand, but I'm not coming out just yet. Maybe next month I'll have some new stuff for the site...

November

Groupon vouchers Glasgow

Here's a wee page I've sorted out linking you to Glasgow's Groupon site, which if you've not heard of it before I would certainly have a look.

If you'll be coming to Glasgow and are looking to book a restaurant or experience, maybe find a spa to relax in while you're here, or even want to unearth a quirky gift here for some loved ones back home, do as the Scots do and save some cash while you're at it.

Click here for more information...

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Some more superb Glasgow sayings

Many thanks to Gerard writing from Christchurch in New Zealand, who's sent me some more excellent Glasgow words for inclusion in the wee directory.

Check out the link below and send me any more that you can think of.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Some more superb Glasgow sayings"

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Welcome to the Botanic Gardens Glasgow

Quite the year I tell you. Quite the year.

I've chosen to kick start the ol' Top Ten Glasgow Guide again with a page on the Botanic Gardens Glasgow. Nothing better than a bit of fresh air and greenery to get the puff back in the chest, and with this renewed sense of motivation I've already plugged ol' Faither back into the computer for some more Glasgow Generations podcast revelry soon, and have also started work on a page about Tinto Tapas Bar, the final piece of the restaurant section jigsaw, and hope to have it up soon. Once that's completed though, I'm planning on visiting and writing about the new Don Costanzo restaurant that's opened up following the tragic closure of Costanzo's old place, Ristorante Caprese (it's at 13 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow, and their new telephone number is ).

I feel I have to apologise for not working on the site in 2011, although I'm continually flabbergasted at the regularity throughout the year of your interest and emails despite this, so many thanks for keeping all this going.

2011 has been a tough year (yeah Scott, tell me about it) and as a result I've had to put the site aside for a bit to concentrate on other things, but you can rest assured that I remain completely and utterly committed to fleshing out the bones here, and maybe by 2014 when we start to welcome the world to our doorstep, the site will look nothing less than like an athlete in their prime, unlike myself of course...

So in the meantime enjoy reading here about the Botanic Gardens in the West End, one of the Top Ten Attractions in Glasgow, and check back soon for some more home town ginger.

Permalink -- click for full blog post "Welcome to the Botanic Gardens Glasgow"

December

State of the Bunion 2011

It's time again to close off another year at the Top Ten Glasgow Guide.

As I suggested in my earlier post last month, it's been a difficult 2011 where I've only been able to spend a little time on the site as I've had to concentrate my meagre noodles on other things. This year though, we've seen some more movement in the restaurant and attractions sections, some more podcasts with the promise of more on their way in 2012 (perhaps even including a comeback from the comedy grave with the return of For the Love of G...lasgow - 'watch this space', as they say), and there were even some ezines posted out for good measure. Despite my near silence on the site the visitor numbers have still increased from last year, and I still hear from you all on a regular basis through the contact form, which is of course always an absolute pleasure. With these kind of prompts, therefore, I've managed to scrape away bit by bit some of the flaky skin from my tired little bunion of a site, ensuring that it can get the air it needs to fester at the back of my mind as time goes on.

Away from the site we've spent much of our time with our wee boy Riley who's now almost one; we've managed only some staycations this year (ooh, poor you!) in Newcastle, Manchester, York, Liverpool and the excellent Lodge on Loch Lomond; been to some great gigs including the Smashing Pumpkins and Mark Thomas; and shoe-horned in a few unforgetable nights out, so all in all not bad for a year of unparalleled austerity.

In 2012 the hope, as always, is to chip away a bit more on the bunion, completing some more sections and adding new ones, but I'm sure you won't be holding your breath - just feel free to continue enjoying what's there for now, and see anything else as a bonus...

...So have a great festive break, a Happy New Year, and all the very best for 2012.