Glasgow

[Freelander Sporrano]

Glasgow.

I've been to Scotland many times and never taken the time to visit Glasgow. I've always treated it a a stumbling block to drive through when heading south from the highlands. Well this Easter all changed. My Daughter Emily was taking part in the World Championships in Irish Dancing.
We were a large group that made the journey to Glasgow via Prestwick . We had booked at the Novotel in Glasgow .It is situated in Pitt St just off Sauchiehall St.

I didn't realize that Geoffery (Tailor) was just on the corner by the hotel and far too good to miss the opportunity for a visit happened to stray into their ex-hire section and found a heavyweight Ancient Gunn in my size (Wouldn't you know it.)just a little shorter than I'm used to but a good fit anyway It does show some signs of use but only slightly....Well to cut a long story short I purchased the kilt (Nr5). I've always liked the tartan as I have a mate here in Norway that has one. I haggled and got a fair deal and walked out satisfied. The wife even liked it too.

Friday was the day my Daughter was dancing.
She was taking part in the Dance drama section and was a member of the Norwegian troupe who were taking part for the very first time in the worlds. Altogether there were 11 teams competing. We got ready at the hotel and we carried the Viking ships to be used in the dance in a long procession down Sauchiehall St making a terrific din that sounded more like football supporters than a crowd o proud parents on the way to a dance competition... We got lots of attention from the locals .



Ready for the off . Wearing my new Kilt




In Procession down Sauchiehall St

The evening was very long indeed the 11 dances and the judging wasn't finished until Midnight . In the end they made 9th place which isn't all bad considering that they had worked so hard to make it this far. There weren't many points that separated the other places either. Our school is only small and the winners can draw on European champions to dance as part of their teams so we were surprised to get 9th. We beat a Dutch team and one from Glasgow. another Team from Glasgow won the trophy with a team from Ireland in 2nd and a team from the USA in Third.

The Concert Hall in Glasgow . Much larger than our Girls and Boys are used to



One of the girls from the Troupe from the States with a Braveheart theme




We got home very late and went straight to bed all worn out with smiles on our faces

One last thing when you arrive at Prestwick Airport you see a poster it says

Glasgow. Pure Dead Brilliant......Nuff said