The Whisperer occasionally goes out and about in Glasgow, visiting restaurants and shops. If a place deserves a special mention, it will be showcased on this page.
This is totally at random, and no fee has been paid by those establishments shown here. The Whisperer wants to promote Glasgow and highlight places of excellence.
Glasgow
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Sauchiehall Street
Sauchiehall Street is probably the most famous street in Glasgow. It's charm lies in the fact that it's always changing, always busy. Each generation remembers this street for different landmarks, some remember the Locarno ballroom, later to become Tiffany's, and it's now a casino. Others remember the cinemas, such as The Gaumont, La Scala, ABC, their changing names, their efforts to survive alongside the multiplex cinemas.
Shopping in Sauchiehall Street is still exciting, some quaint shops still exist, but the Buchanan Galleries, the big premier shopping mall is rapidly gaining recognition as the place to shop, with the welcome return of Lewis's, who used to operate from Argyle Street.
From the Central Station hotel, walk up Hope Street, which has become a bit run down but will soon be bustling again. Near the top, Sauchiehall Street cuts across Hope Street. Turn right onto the pedestrian precinct and you'll see the Buchanan Galleries, as Sauchiehall Street ends at the top of Buchanan Street.
If you choose to turn left into Sauchiehall Street, again onto a pedestrian precinct, there are lots of main retailers, such as HMV, Boots, Marks and Spencer, and others. Walk past all the great stores until the precinct ends and you come to the one way traffic system. Vehicles come towards you and either turn to your left into Blythswood Street, or right into Rose Street.
By day, the countless fast food outlets cater for the hard-working call centre staff, as Glasgow is renowned for the quality of the staff employed in these centres. There are a few call centre offices quite close to Sauchiehall Street.
The MacLellan Galleries must be mentioned - it will always have something interesting to show for art lovers.
But It's at night when the street comes alive.
The place is crowded with partygoers frequenting the various bars, clubs and restaurants that pack such a small area. Jumpin' Jaks, ABC, and others have queues of young people, eager to have a good time after working so hard all week.
For the more mature couples, there are wonderful restaurants and cosy bars like Yates that offer relaxation. As the Kings Theatre is just around the corner in Bath Street, many restaurants offer pre-theatre meals.
But walk down Sauchiehall Street in a few months time, and you'll probably see more changes.
It's a Rerr Place.
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Glasgow City Chambers
Headquarters of Glasgow City Council
George Square
FREE guided tour of the City Chambers 10.30am and 2.30pm weekdays
The design of the City Chambers was determined by the result of a competition, the eventual winner being the Paisley-born architect William Young. The building was completed in 1888 and was officially opened by Queen Victoria.
An extension was opened to the east side of the building in John Street in 1923, and the latest addition in George Street, Exchange House was completed in 1984. The City Chambers covers an area of 14,000 square metres.
The Lord Provost resides in the City Chambers. The title of 'Lord Provost' is similar to the Mayor of English cities. The Lord Provost presides over 79 councillors, and they meet formally in the Council Chambers.
The Lord Provost is Glasgow's 'First Citizen', the Lord Dean of Guild (Merchants House) is the 'Second Citizen", and Deacon Convenor (Trades House) is the "Third Citizen". Council meetings are open to the public, and there is a separate gallery for journalists.
The Whisperer joined a guided tour of the City Chambers one day, and was struck by the warmth and friendliness of the staff when they greeted their visitors. We were allowed to take photographs - and we were even allowed to sit on the Lord Provost's seat, which was a gift to Glasgow by Queen Victoria!
We visited the Grand Ballroom, the Council Chambers, and walked up the marble staircase - which had been used by film companies to depict the staircases in the Vatican and the Kremlin.
If you are visiting Glasgow, or even if you are a resident, and you've never been on a tour of the City Chambers - it is highly recommended. There is so much to see, and the decor, paintings and wonderful rooms with their rich ornamentation are a joy to behold. There is so much about the City Chambers that can be written, but The Whisperer will leave it to your tour guide to astound you with the sheer magnificance of this stunning building.
If you are a Sci Fi fan, then this is the shop for you. Star Wars, Star Trek, Battleship Gallactica, Doctor Who - you name it, there will be a DVD, book, toy or magazine with your favourite characters.
You may see The Whisperer browsing through the Superman and Batman comics, tut-tutting and muttering to himself, "Look at the price o' these things! The comics used to be 9 old pennies in my day."
Yates Bar
292 Sauchiehall Street G2 3JA
Phone: (011-44) 0141 332 5457
It's good to see establishments treating customers fairly as regards pricing and special offers.
Yates Bar in Sauchiehall Street is the perfect place to meet at the start of an evening out. Enjoy a cheap meal and a drink before moving on later to the delights of Sauchiehall Street's pubs and clubs.
It does not look much from the outside, but if you enter the shop, which is Hendersons The Jewellers, go through the back, you will discover a lovely little tea room, designed by Charles Rennie MacIntosh. A great tribute to the "Glasgow Style", that was so much in vogue then.
Macintosh designed the 2 Willow Tea Rooms in 1904, this one, and the other in Buchanan Street. Recently, the Billiard Room was opened to the public. Although the billiard table and the original fittings are no longer there, the Willow Tea Room has made it into a little museum, where you can see examples of Macintosh's work, and a large photograph of the billiard table itself, the only known photo in existence is on display. The proprietors are quite happy for you to take photos and to sit on the Macintosh chairs on show.
The Willow is on the balcony and you can see the jewellers shop below.
The Whisperer sat at table 16, and enjoyed cranberry juice, haggis, neeps and tatties - and a pot of lovely Darjeeling tea. They have a fine selection of Indian and Chinese tea, and to enjoy the flavour in The Whisperer's opinion, you should not spoil it with milk or sugar.
The service was excellent, the staff were polite and well turned out in their smart uniforms. The cost was very reasonable, just over 10 pounds.
You really must visit this Tea Room. The Whisperer may visit their Buchanan Street establishment one day.
The Whisperer has been in this cafe a few times. It's the typical mix of Italian/Scottish fayre - pizza, fish and chips, etc.
It proports to be one of the oldest cafes in Glasgow, going back to 1898.
As its name suggests, it caters for the pre-theatre clientele who visit the nearby Kings Theatre in Bath Street. Special pre-theatre meal deals are on offer.
Check out the old theatre photos and posters on the walls.
