Glasgow, Scotland

As we docked at the ocean Terminal in Greenock, Scotland Friday morning, the view from our balcony was not pretty. Overcast and raining! We were beginning to understand the weather cycle in the north Atlantic: Clouds-Rain-Sun, then repeat every 15 minutes.  From the port city of Greenock we traveled an hour by coach to Glasgow, a city of about 600,000 population. 

On the dock we viewed the current weather forecast.  Since the weather changed every few minutes, this was really a practical way of knowing the current weather.



Disembarking from the bus in Glasgow we waited our turn to enter the medieval Glasgow Cathedral.  You guessed it, it was raining!!

Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern's or St. Mungo's Cathedral, is the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland and is the oldest building in Glasgow.  Construction started in 1136 and it is the only cathedral in Scotland to survive the 1560 Reformation.  

The Nave with its tall columns and high arched ceiling is typical of medieval cathedrals. The stone has darkened from smoke pollution over the centuries.

A huge stained glass window illuminates the choir.  It is an active place of Christian worship and holds regular services.    

Below the quire is the crypt where St. Mungo is interned.  Kentigern, known as Mungo, was an apostle of the Scottish Kingdom of Strathclyde in the late sixth century, and the founder and patron saint of the city of Glasgow. 

After vising the cathedral, we walked to Buchanan Street, an open air mall with many of the stores and brands we find in North America.  The Scots like coffee, lots of coffee shops.  Notice the shadows  (indicating we are in the weather cycle of "sun").