Weird and wonderful

Sally Toms gets out and about in Glasgow.

It occurred to me that my columns have been rather rural of late. So, in the interests of correcting the balance, I picked up my bags and set off for Glasgow.

I couldn't have picked a better time. On the bank holiday weekend in late September, Glasgow was literally buzzing. The Merchant City Festival was in full swing, and it was pay-day. The sun was shining, its citizens were happy, and so was I.

I just love Glasgow, there's so much to do. You could live here year round and not experience it all.

Even if you were to eat and drink in a different venue every night, and visit a different museum, gallery or tourist attraction every week – it would still probably take a lifetime.

Speaking of which, I have written before of my love of those eccentric, off-the-beaten-track tourist attractions. The best in Glasgow, in my opinion, is Sharmanka.

In the backstreets of Trongate in the heart of Merchant City, you might see a few people wandering around, blankly staring at buildings for any indication that they have arrived at Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre. The clue they are looking for is a tiny notice tacked to a door, next to a buzzer to be let in.

Down a dingy corridor and up some stairs, you might, at this point, be wondering where on earth you're headed. But this is only a temporary location while its new home, a development called Trongate103, is being renovated. But I actually quite like it. I think it adds to the atmosphere.

Performances are on Thursdays and Sundays at 7pm. ...

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• By : Sally Toms
• In : Editor's View
• Issue : 41
• Page : 3
• Words : 521