Category: Street – Art, Posters, etc

A New Year’s Day walk and Street Festival in Perthshire Highland


We started our journey from central Pitlochry once again, passing by the beautiful bowling green in the centre.


And then made our way to the quaint village of Moulin, just about a kilometre or so north of the town (I’ve blogged about this before).


This time we decided to explore the cemetery. It proved to be quite fascinating, with its different graves and rich history. There was also a lingering fog which added an eerie atmosphere.


Continuing on a familiar route, we passed an old castle, although not much of it remains today.


We traversed up and down several times until we reached the Black Spout.


I recently read about a tragic incident where someone fell 70 feet to their death in North Scotland a couple of weeks ago. Trust me; it’s easier to do than people realize, especially when distracted by taking photos in the middle of nowhere with their mobile phones.


Fortunately, we navigated the area safely and proceeded towards Athol Palace hotel, capturing shots of the small 9-hole golf course that surrounds the hotel.


Perhaps one day, I’ll write an article about the numerous 9-hole courses I’ve encountered in Scotland. It seems like every old hotel in the Highlands of Scotland has one. It would be interesting to discover who plays on them and who designs them.


Afterwards, we continued to central Pitlochry, as there was a street fest on New Year’s Day.


It was quite enjoyable and bustling. While the event had the obligatory hot chocolate and a mulled wine place, I think they could have offered more food choices and beverage options. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant experience. My partner and I decided to partake in a Gay Gordon or Canadian Barn dance, which turned out to be quite enjoyable. Despite the cold weather, the absence of rain added to the overall atmospheric charm.

CB

Glasgow – A West End development

Glasgow has a history of demolishing and rebuilding, a cycle that repeated during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

It is rumoured that the Glasgow City Council, or the City of Glasgow District Council as it was known back then, may have demolished upwards of 38,000 to 40,000 tenement blocks. I’m uncertain if these numbers refer to entire tenement blocks or individual flats within them. The exact count remains elusive, but the consensus is that this approach was a disaster.

Instead of demolishing, they could have refurbished them, preserving their charm and the character of the areas involved. Unfortunately, the mass exodus to new areas, not only decimated community spirit but also led these residents to move into unpleasant, grey high-rises. Approximately, only 75% of THESE structures still stand, as the remaining 25% have ALSO been demolished.

In recent years, particularly in the West End of Glasgow, there have been plans to revamp Byres Road. The COVID pandemic may have caused delays, but there’s a concerted effort to make the area more cyclist and pedestrian-friendly, while reducing car accessibility. Plans were presented to the local community for voting through a website or at a community library in the West End (I believe); btw, I did not vote..


Judging from the photos (before the completed work), it doesn’t align with my vision of something positive. It appears monotonously grey, reminiscent of the old, grey, high-rises that replaced the tenements?


Although there is a smattering of red, the cycle of demolish, build, demolish, build – seems to be replaced with putting up something grey with a touch of red.

Several issues will arise, especially concerning the bike lanes. Pedestrians are already walking in them, and it’s unclear how they will function once completed. Additionally, the angles could pose challenges, making it difficult for moving cars to navigate, especially when encountering parked cars. Already, buses are experiencing delays due to these cars parked almost in the traffic lanes; creating significant traffic jams until the opposing traffic moves.

The effectiveness of this scheme will depend on how well it is policed. Monitoring and enforcement will likely be the key to the success of this initiative.

I’m not holding my breath.

CB

Euro Trip – Germany and France – A random walk in Bavaria

Yes, in Bavaria again, and I have always found it very good, to just go for a walk and see if there is anything different that strikes me.

I’ve been to Germany many times, but something always hits me, that many who have not been here, would probably find quite odd.

Yes, the above is a gigantic (not sure if I’ve blogged on this before) climbing wall, right next to a children’s school or nursery (a KITA perhaps).

With a smaller wall, for the children I presume?


It’s part of a private climbing club, and is right in the middle of a housing estate; though looks very well maintained. And the walk there, involved some grapes, growing on a wall by the sidewalk! Amazing.

Equally, just round the corner, as this was a Sunday walk, I came across one of these huge quality / inexpensive German supermarkets, where the amount and variety of goods is simply amazing.

This was a Kaufland, and owing to German laws, it is not open on Sundays! In fat, NOTHING is open on Sundays, except bakeries, some restaurants, and petrol stations (There may be more, but I’m simply not sure).


As you can see, NO ONE is there, as the car park is comletely empty.

Interesting.

CB

Final part of Thornwood, Glasgow – A popup art Gallery, Four Visions

The final part of my walk in Thornwood, extreme west of the West End, had us going into a pop-up art gallery, where the partner decided to purchase a mini- water colour of the Glasgow Underground.

Four Visions pop-up Art Gallery, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

I don’t know how long this has been here, thought I’ve thought that I’ve seen it before.

Very small inside, very homely and no hint of pretence – thank God.

Various shots of the Pop-Up

Also to note, we were not the only ones there, here’s hoping they stay for some time. Some might call it populist, but surely that it exactly what some art deserves, particularly for the struggling artist.

CB

This week, Lisbon, cafe’s, etc – New Partick, Glasgow street art . . .

If you have been in Partick, in the West of Glasgow the last few weeks, there is a smattering of new street art:

Purdon Street Mural

I think that it’s both colourful and bright; a cure-all for our awful weather here in the West of Scotland!

My only complaint, is that it is replacing some of the murals that were created to celebrate the 2014 Commonwealth Games, that were held here back then. If you disagree, please go here, to add your opinions to Partick Community Council.

More this week from Lisbon, and various other things.

CB

This week – Just back from Lisbon, more things this week.

Yeh, have not been on here enough – work, travel, etc; but will defo do more this week, finishing my latest travel to both Germany and Dunoon, but also will look back at my trip to Perthshire (Dunkeld / Birnam) again, the last week. But first, what about some brand new street art today in Glasgow.

New art on South Woodside Road

And I think it looks just fine! Plus, the artist was there, having just completed his work of art. And I believe he goes by the name of “@markwurst”, but am not really sure.

Another shot from the east, looking west

Cool! As I do not have a SINGLE bit of artisticness in my body.

CB

New Week, more from Germany, and some more Glasgow Street Art –

Don’t have a bit of talent when it comes to art, but have simply always loved murals – we’ve more and more here, th0ugh they’re probably more correctly referred to as street art in these days. So during a recent walk to the city centre, I came across two more examples of this type of genre.

This being in the West End

The above from a “michaelam.art”. Is this their “tag”:

And the below, in the Garnethill part of the western city centre.

Art on Renfrew Street, Glasgow

Which may have a tag in the extreme upper, left hand corner, but is not readable.

I will say, that both appear to have a lot of pink in them! Who knows, maybe it serves a purpose here in Glasogw, due to the incredibly dark days that we have during our winter.

Later in the week, more from Germany (Bavaria) and from various restaurants / cafes I’ve been to lately.

CB

More Glasgow Street Art – With a belated Climate Theme

Interesting this one, with all the walking about of the last few weeks, I’d noticed this wee gem somewhere in the West End of Glasgow.

COP26 – Climate Street Art

This is even more interesting, as the @fifthwallvc, is actually a corporate, international investment group?

Interesting

CB