Zaha Hadid

Glasgow, 15th August 2017 – Mixed feelings when we drive into Glasgow. Grungy, rough around the edges and always that threat of a Glasgow Kiss. Nothing like that when we park our car next to the Riverside Museum, a magnificent building by Zaha Hadid. The building houses the museum of transport. I gaze at the impressive car collection literally stuck to the wall. There is also a reconstruction of a Glasgow street of 100 years ago.  During the industrial revolution the chemicals, textile and shipbuilding industries were world famous, the city was called second city of the Empire. After World War II, the city collapsed and the population of over one million shrunk dramatically. Zaha’s building is all part of the reinvention of the city. We check into the Kelvin Hotel in the West End. The building on Buckingham Terrace has kept some of the grandeur of the glory days of Glasgow.  High, ornamented ceilings, wide staircases… rooms looking out on tall trees. A closer look shows some patchwork repairs and our room has a hastily installed plastic bathroom. It is difficult to turn the tide! We have a tea and go out for an evening walk. 

Riverside Museum, Glasgow (FDC)

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