Glasgow, Scotland

After the warmth of Barbados, Glasgow offered a very different experience. I was lucky that the sun was shining, but the temperature was freezing and reminded me how quickly the mood of a trip can change. The city had its own rhythm, and walking through it felt rewarding in a completely different way.

The Necropolis was striking, a hillside cemetery with sweeping views across the city that carried both history and atmosphere. The University of Glasgow impressed with its Gothic architecture, a campus that felt like stepping into another era. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery was another highlight, not only for its collection but also for the way it presented the city’s past. The influence of trade and slavery in the 17th and 18th centuries was not confined to a single exhibition but appeared throughout the museum, woven into the broader story of Glasgow’s development. Beyond the galleries, the city itself felt like an open canvas. Street art was everywhere, from bold murals on building walls to smaller pieces tucked into alleyways, adding color and energy to the urban landscape.

As with all my destinations, I made time to enjoy the local food and beers, which added a relaxed balance to the days of exploring. Glasgow may not have the tropical ease of the Caribbean, but it offered history, atmosphere, and character in abundance.

It was a fitting finish to the first trip of my sabbatical, closing the journey with a sense of contrast and discovery.