Things To Do: Glasgow Central Station Experience

Railway stations: some of us pass through them everyday without probably giving a second thought to how they were built or the stories behind them. Some of them are just beautiful structures in their own right. Well, here in Scotland, one station has decided that it’s time to peel back the curtain and give people the chance to see the station in another light.

Here in Scotland, there is an event every September called Doors Open Day. It’s a time where places literally open their doors to the public for a weekend to see inside. Some events are ticketed and go quickly (like the Irn Bru factory….then again, you’d probably never get me out of there). Until recently that was the case with Glasgow Central. But now the opportunity to explore this Victorian station, which operates more than 1,000 journeys a day (making it the busiest in Scotland and the 2nd busiest station in the UK outside of London) out of it’s 17 platforms.

When the tours originally popped up at Christmas, I was desperate to get on the tour as this is a station I pass through whenever I travel to Glasgow on the train. For a fortnight last year, it was basically a second home to me! So I was gutted that by the time I had found out that all the available dates at the time were SOLD OUT! Roll on the end of February 2015 and the announcement of more dates…so I treated myself to tickets as a birthday present. The price: £10 per person. But more on the price later.

Now, I’m not going to give you a running commentary because…well, I want you to go and experience this for yourself! Be prepared to be sporting a hard hat (and hat hair afterwards!) and blue jacket (we are in a working station after all). Our guide Paul started on the concourse with some history before taking us up to the roof* for the views. This was worth the ticket price in itself for me…did I mention I was scared of heights? From the towering heights it to the depths below through snaking corridors below thundering trains. At one point I actually had to take a moment to realise where I was and it was a corridor I’ve walked many a time!

Our guide Paul was very knowledgeable about the history of the station,with added brightness of tales of celebrities who have graced the station to the dark tales of other uses of parts of the underground of the station.

So I said I would mention the price: to be honest, I would have easily paid double what it was for the experience. Shortly they’re looking at expanding what’s on offer to include visiting the Victorian platform as well as the Broomielaw, which I have to say I’ll be going back for.

So, if you’re heading to Glasgow and fancy something a little different, why not think about this. Booking can only be done online and I do recommend planning in advance particularly if it’s holiday time

*access to the roof is dependant on weather & maintenance

Book tickets on Glasgow Central Tours

On The Big Screen: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

I loved the original Best Exotic Marigold Hotel back in 2012. There were scenes in it that I could relate to at that moment in time. When I saw that there was a second one at the tail end of last year, I didn't hesitate about my decision to see the follow up. I'm not going to lie though I did have reservations about it.

I mean, the first film was intriguing given it's concept of a group of older adults head off to a foreign country to a calamity of a hotel. Now, we're a few years down the line with Sonny (Dev Patel) looking at expanding his business but it's not without it's as straight forward as he expects (would we expect it to be?) as well as his forthcoming nuptials to Sunaina (Tina Desi) Our faithful residents are still here and have taken on jobs. (Muriel (Maggie Smith) is co-manager at the first hotel, Evenlyn (Judi Dench) is a fabric sourcer for a company, Douglas (Bill Nighy) is a ‘tour’ guide, Norman & Madge (Ronald Pickup & Celia Imrie) are managing the The Viceroy Club & Carol (Diana Hardcastle) is in the travel agency) 

And here in lies the problem: Once you’ve been re-introduced, the film seems slow, not the haphazardness of the first one that kept the pace. There are still the laughs though not in as much quantity of the first. The return of Jean (Penelope Wilton), looking for a divorce, feels awkward and disjointed and not entirely sure whether there's something missing. In some instances, I can't help thinking that if it had only been Douglas’ daughter Laura (Claire Price) & not Jean, it may have worked better. I did have my reservations about Richard Gere being involved in the film, however, his character, Guy, slotted in perfectly to the already existing cast

Was a sequel needed? Probably not as the first did finish on a nice little note and left you wondering what did happen next but felt complete. I can't help feeling that they left a few loose ends by the end of this one, but I'm quietly hoping that there isn't another film. There comes a point where you need to recognise that something is finished and not drag it out (Disney, I'm looking at you with regards Toy Story! The third one ended everything nicely no need to milk that any more!)

So in short: if you enjoyed the first visit, you'll probably enjoy the second but expect a placid ride to the last bumpy one.