Scottish singer and entertainer Marti Pellow chooses his favourite spots to admire stunning architecture and find true peace and quiet.
Best Beach
My parents didn’t drive so our days away would mean getting a couple of trains to Largs. We would visit Pencil Beach, overlooking the Firth of Clyde, which must be one of Scotland’s smallest. I still have a soft spot for that wee beach.
Best Building
I think it was one of Alexander “Greek” Thomson’s last commissions – the buildings at Great Western Terrace on Great Western Road. I love everything about it. I love the cornice and the brickwork, the detail, everything is just phenomenal. Even the way that the sun bounces off it. I tried to buy one in the 1990s, but I was beaten to it – I was absolutely gutted. Glasgow must have the greatest Victorian architecture anywhere.
Best Street
My favourite stretch is the junction of Dumbarton Road and Kilbowie Road but from a good few years ago. I would sell the Evening Times there and wait for the workers flooding out of the Singer sewing machine factory and John Brown’s.
Best View
For me, there’s no finer view than the one from Ben A’an in the Trossachs. The great thing about it is it’s not a massive climb for people not used to mountain climbing. You can see Loch Katrine and Loch Achray from there. It’s an incredible sight.
Best Walk
I think the best walks get you somewhere. For me it’s the old road from Balloch to Luss. For me it’s jumping on a train with my juice and pieces and getting off at Balloch then making my way up the old road to Luss towards the pier, where I can jump off and have a swim in Loch Lomond.
Best Place for a Quiet Time
I’ve always gone to Bowling Harbour for this. It does make you think when you look up the Clyde from here you’re looking at a gateway to the world.
martipellowofficial.co.uk
