Tales of Glasgow’s great legacy

KELVINGROVE has come over all sentimental about its fair city ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

The westend museum has redesigned its Glasgow Stories gallery, incorporating 10 centuries of history into a visual celebration of the dear, green place.

It’s hoped that tourists visiting for the sporting event this summer will take a trip far down memory lane, from Glasgow’s present day status as a cultural powerhouse through the city’s industrial past and all the way back to the 12th century, when city life revolved around the cathedral.

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Objects on display include a ticket to the 1888 Glasgow International Exhibition held in Kelvingrove Park (worth a web search for the photos alone), as well as Victorian street scenes by watercolourist Patrick Downie.

There’s a focus on the legacy of the Games too, with examples of work by textile designer Jilli Blackwood, who designed the Glasgow cast costumes for the Delhi flag handover in 2010, and has been commissioned to design the Scotland uniforms for the opening ceremony.

Councillor Archie Graham, chair of Glasgow Life, commented: “Glasgow Stories charts how key events in the city’s past have brought us to the privileged position of welcoming the world to Glasgow to enjoy the Commonwealth Games. Moreover it enables Glaswegians to share some of the pride and passion they feel about the city’s cultural legacy.”

To see Glasgow’s collection in all its glory, visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Mon-Thurs and Sat 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.

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