These last few weeks have been quiet ones, and with classes drawing to a close, I’ve had less time to explore than usual. However, last weekend, one of my old friends (who is currently studying in Denmark) came for a visit, and I took the opportunity to visit some more local attractions.
The Friday of her arrival we toured around the University of Glasgow, and I introduced her to fish and chips, with a healthy serving of cider on the side, and we finished just in time to attend a concert at the National Piping center. There were four performers, the first of which were the traditional highland pipes you imagine when thinking about Scotland. This performance was followed by a baroque piping music, of all things. If you had told me before that bagpipes belonged with violins and dainty harpsichords, I wouldn’t have believed you, but while the highland pipes are loud (ear piercing, in an enclosed space. Don’t get me wrong, I love them, but I’m quite sure prolonged exposure would damage your hearing quite severely) the French pipes, the musette, is soft, and played with a bellows. After a brief intermission, three Bulgarian bagpipers took the stage, followed by a local folk band called the Scott Wood Trio/Band (look them up if you can).
Returning to our flat, we had tea and shortbread, and turned in early to get a good start the following day.
After breakfast, we went to Conich hill, which overlooks Loch Lomond. I feel like calling it a hill doesn’t quite do it justice…
