The River Clyde

My girlfriend and I take our dog Stan down the river Clyde for his walk, it’s a great place as well as there are a family of deer and some nice fishing to be had too! It’s a pity that people do not treat the river Clyde with repect in regards to leaving rubbish and broken bottles though…

The Clyde runs through the heart of Glasgow like an artery, and certainly was its main lifeline for jobs and industry during the industrial revolution. Some of the biggest ships and trains in the world were made here, and well into the 20^th century it was a hub of smoky activity.
With hard grafting industry in decline, there was a bleak period during the Clyde’s lifetime where nothing was going on. Factories were closed, welders were out of work, jobs were cut drastically and buildings were demolished. The old factories lay like creepy ghosthouses, stained charcoal grey through time from the smoke that used to bellow out across the Clyde. As people moved from the city centre slums to the new high rise schemes on the suburbs, the Clyde too became a quieter place, fading out. It wasn’t fit for industry any longer, but since it had been utilised so long the waters were too polluted for sealife and wildlife. The old building that once were mobbed with workers were now merely whistling as the wind whipped through the broken windows. It was too dangerous to take a walk along, and throughout the 80s money was too tight for the Clyde to be built upon. No more smoke belched over the river, and it was clear to see that the Clyde was unemployed. Metaphorically speaking, the illustrious ship of industry had sailed.
I have painted a melancholy picture of the Clyde that was to tell you gleefully about the Clyde it is now becoming! Activity is now being brought back to the river, and not only is money being poured into making the riverfront look absolutely stunning, but a number of attractions and businesses have jumped ship to place themselves proudly on the waterfront. In the past ten years, serveral bridges have been built and restored, most notably the Arc bridge which has become a main focal point for budding photographers.
There are a number of beautiful, sohpisticated waterfront flats and complexes being built, but you can also hope to find a number of main businesses and tourist attractions in this area. Most notably, the most prominent silhouettes you will see skirting the the skyline are Glasgow Science Centre, BBC, STV, The Quay, Harry Ramsden’s, The Casino, The Waverley, Loch Lomond Seaplanes, The Crowne Plaza, the SECC, The Armadillo, the Tall Ship, Braehead… and it goes on as you stretch beyond the city.
Taking a walk along the newly revamped walkway is amazing. You will often see dogwalkers, joggers, cyclists and couples using this area. If you take a little trip on the Waverley, it’s a romantic and moving experience to sail along the river to where its mouth opens up to meet the sea. For locals and tourists, it’s a memorable area of the city to visit.
For most people who have lived in Glasgow for a time, there is an attachment to the river. This is coming into play once again the more they build on it. In the near future we will be seeing more complexes and the new transport museum site bring more people towards this glorious place. Tranquil, busy and bustling, depending on what area of the Clyde you walk along, it’s what you want it to be.
For my 1000 review, I thought I should return home and review somewhere at the heart and soul of the city I grew up in. I’ve got many memories of the Clyde, as do many others. Although I am only returning home in Unilocaling terms (!), a lot of my friends have moved away and moved on. I guess the reason why most of their rooms in their new home have pictures of the Arc bridge is because they miss Glasgow so much. The Clyde seems to be the force of this gravity, and even if it had remained a quiet, decayed tribute to days gone by, it’s still significant to the people of the city. With the swish new riverside, long may its important role in Glasgow’s history continue.

The Clyde is a lovely big landmark that runs right through the heart of Glasgow. From the bygone days of shipbuilding and steelworks to its modern day surroundings including The Science Centre and up and coming apartment complexes, The River Clyde has always been at the very heart of Glasgow as a focal point for surrounding businesses.
The Clyde is a lovely part of Glasgow’s culture, providing a backdrop for sought after apartments or a desirable location for up and coming businesses. However, a much simpler pleasure is to enjoy a wee walk along The Clyde to enjoy the view and take in the serene surroundings.

Previously known as «auld Reeky» by Glasgowites of the not to distant past, the Clyde is currently undergoing somewhat of a regeneration process.
As the heart of the city and the reason Glasgow finds itself with such grand building and displays of stunning architecture (tobacco money from back in the days) the Clyde had in recent years become barren after the decimation of the ship building trade. Now reborn as a sight for yuppie flats, offices and visitor attractions the Clyde is finally becoming more of the hub that it used to be (keep your eyes peeled for the annual Clyde River Festival).
So, auld reeky has undergone a face lift and is becoming much more pleasing on the eye. Worth a wander down and a jaunt across one of the many newer bridges to see it on a calm day, nothing is as serene as this in a busy city.

Firstly, let me share with you a wee rhyme we used to sing about our proud river…
Mrs Mcguire peed on the fire
The fire was too hot
So she peed on a pot
The pot was to wee
So she peed in the sea
The sea was to wide
She peed in the Clyde
And aw the wee beasties ran up her backside.
Haha!
The River Clyde is at the heart of the city, you might call it Glasgow’s answer to the Thames. It used also to be the hub of Glasgow’s trade; steelworks, shipbuilding, and other industries. Since Glasgow became more modernised (around the 70s and onwards, I believe), the Clyde has become less about business and more about real estate. The banks are now home to expensive flats, hotels, a number of bridges, and an increasing number of casinos.
The river itself is still pretty dirty, but not as bad as it used to be. On a sunny day it’s nice to take a stroll across one of its many bridges or kick rocks along the banks.
Some of its more worthy sights include the Millenium Bridge, SECC and Clyde Auditorium (aka the Armadillo), and the Science Centre, Glasgow Tower, and IMAX.