Today was a chance to explore central Glasgow via bus, but not before getting the box ready for sending home. Unfortunately, our accommodation was managed by number 7 in our street, whilst the address of our apartment was number 8 with no reception was the pickup address. So, a sign on the door to please collect the box from next door and fingers crossed! A quick trip up to Tesco to get some duck tape to reinforce the box too and it was ready to go.

Next up, google maps recommended, a bus ride on the 6A into central Glasgow. We even got to sit upstairs on a double decker bus, but our views were obscured by the rain :( The wind a companion along with drizzle and occasional showers for the day, but undeterred, we headed through the streets to the Cathedral. On arrival, we found it was closed for lunch, so we decided to explore the nearby Glasgow necropolis.

This was an interesting place where a lot of Victorian Scotland's elite (their term not mine) had lavish headstones and mausoleums built as something of a status symbol. Lots of large Celtic crosses, moniliths and the like, along with a giant statue recognising John Knox. He is quite revered for his importance in advocating for the Scottish Free Church (protestant) that rejected the idea that the Pope or Monarch could be head of the church, along with the assertion that it is by God's grace that people are saved and that good works etc are not part of the picture (although still good to live a servant life).

Back to the cathedral. Extremely ornate, great stained glass, and clear how it had been used for 3 separate churches in the same building after the reformation and was largely untouched, unlike most other ornate representations of the church from Catholicism that were dismantled for a more modest church building etc. It also holds the remains of St Mungo. He was credited with establishing Glasgow and for bringing Christianity to the area in 600AD. The church was built in the 1100s but not completed until the 1500s. After a good explore, we went across to a museum of faiths. Interesting series of displays depicting some of the cultural artworks/religious traditions of a range of faiths incorporating details of religious persecution and violence (eg Kosovo/Bosnia in the 1990s).

Then into a nearby house...the oldest house in Glasgow (600 years old). A real feature is that basically every room has a fireplace in it. Assuming they had fuel, no excuse for being cold inside! A walk through the streets and past heaps of murals ripe for artistic photography. Then, onto the Scotch Malt Whisky Society rooms to have dinner, courtesy of our Aussie friend Andrew Derbidge (who is the Australian SMWS chief and whisky expert who has been invaluable with his advice on Scotland and whiskies). The society purchases individual casks from a heap of the distilleries in Scotland before they are used in distillery blends and releases, and/or adjusting the the alcohol %. They have a tasting team that describe the various features of the cask and come up with a clever name, eg hospital bandages and electrochemystery)! Members of the society receive bottles occasionally but the rooms are open to allow them to come and sample (and purchase) bottles too. Four sensational whiskies were enjoyed, along with yummy fish (TR) and steak (BJ), and possibly a cocktail for Bronnie for balance ;) We had such a wonderful time there and were super appreciative of Andrew lining it up for us and allowing us to have a real treat there on our last night in Scotland.

As we finish up in Scotland, it has been an absolutely brilliant time. From the chaos of three rental cars, dodging a once in 100 year storm, to icy narrow roads and VERY fast drivers, to obscure backgrounds of owners of our accommodation (Balnakiel), to old friends on Skye, to island ferry crossings and anxious watching of weather radars...it's been amazing. BIG BIG scenery, lochs, mountains, significant geology, castles (ruins of mostly), Neolithic burial chambers, Neolithic villages, standing stones, Vikings, Picts, flagstone, flow country, dry stone walls, SHEEP...we love sheep, cool coos (including the endangered white Galloways), funny seals with upturned flippers on rocks, sandy beaches, caves, things being closed, whiskies galore...all in great company and spirits...marvellous. The people on the whole are very hospitable (with the occasional grump) and it has been striking that the number of staff at venues has been generously high and for the overwhelming majority their work has been a good "fit" for them. Also pleasing to have come across lots of "normal" people who seem comfortable in their own skin. The lack of intrusion of unnecessary political correctness has been a welcome feature. I may revisit these final musings on Scotland as the next chapter of our adventure begins in Ireland but for now...farewell from Scotland.