'The Barras'

We ventured into the east end of Glasgow today, intending to view the new Velodrome, but unfortunately this proved to be impossible. We were amazed at how the whole area has changed, and there is a huge area being built as an Athlete's Village for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

We headed towards the city centre, and to the 'Barras', one of Glasgow's most famous institutions, The Barras was founded by James and Margaret McIver in the interwar years. Several of the smaller 1921-era market halls still bear the McIver name, although the main Barrowland Ballroom building was rebuilt after a fire in 1958, reopening in 1960. The ballroom has become a world famous musical venue.

Surprisingly it was not busy, and seemed a bit of a shadow of its former self, to be honest. I can remember when you could be well amused by the patter of the vendors, and thinking you were getting a bargain. I once bought a packet of two pairs of tights, and there was only one leg on each pair!!!!

Weather was dry and occasionally sunny, and the temperature is very high for the time of year, at 10C.