I love Glasgow and this trip didn’t let me down. My lovely H2B and I went on a weekend away and Daisy Green Magazine was never far from my thoughts - I think I’m addicted!

The first find was before we even got to Glasgow. We introduced ‘Buy Once Give Twice’ to you back in December. Bare in mind when you read ‘A Chance Weekend In Glasgow’ – area of the month’, that this visit didn’t actually start out as a Daisy Green Magazine excursion. No prior research was undertaken. Everything to follow was found happily by chance by me, your passionate Daisy Green Magazine devotee/Lifestyle Director with the help of my H2B.

The arrival
Our hotel, although not initially appearing ‘green’, turned out to have a very comprehensive Environmental Policy and yummy local food for breakfast. That night we just relaxed and enjoyed the beginning of getting away from it all.

Saturday
Today we had a good mooch around the centre of Glasgow not venturing very far at all really. It was our Christmas present buying day but I still managed to get in two places of interest and bought the presents too.

Korres Natural Products, Buchanan Galleries 220 Buchanan Street G. Korres a Greek company with roots in Athens’ first ever Homeopathic Pharmacy resides in Glasgow as one of only three stand alone stores in the UK. The store is welcoming, well stocked and the assistant, Amanda, who served me was very knowledgeable. However ‘natural’ should not be used in purist terms as they are not 100 per cent natural – nevertheless a good experience.

The Willow Tea Rooms, 97 Buchanan St. G1- a lovely place to visit awaiting its Green Tourism Grading. Although busy (we had a 10 minute wait for our table), it had a lovely atmosphere and was frequented by tourists and locals alike. Earl Grey, Cullen Skink Soup and a fresh roll went down very well with me.

Sunday
It was a late start and with only a few hours to whip around Glasgow I was on a mission and, in fact, so was H2B. He had lived in Glasgow before so was quite helpful in finding Daisy Green gems.

First port of call was Grass Roots Organics and Grass Roots Cafe, Charing Cross G3. We spent so much time here that I have decided to give its own separate review.

From Grass Roots we headed to the West End on and just off Byres road G12.  The Lonely Planet’s guide to Great Britain describes the West End as ‘Glasgow’s alternative hub where university students and sophisticates mooch in a plethora of restaurants and bars or bargain hunt in the many shops.’ and I would have to agree with that. Just before heading to the West End H2B took a diversion which led us to e & a clothing on 156 Queen Margaret Drive G20.

e & a clothing is a small but well stocked store and I had a good chat with the owner, Emma Campbell.  Emma was lovely and really animated about the shop. Many of the pieces were unique and Emma explained that e & a is concerned with combining environmentally friendly materials, fair labour and the work of the newest graduates and designers from the UK and, being a graduate from Glasgow’s famous School of Art, she has an eye for new talent.

Now back to Byres Rd. The first place we got to was Starry Starry Night (19 Dowanside Lane), a tribute to a bygone age and truly vintage, definitely no misuse of the term ‘vintage’ in this establishment. It offers something really different and special at affordable prices. If you keep going on this lane you get to Ruthven Lane, a lovely little area with some dedicated vintage shopping.

Circa Vintage is a treasure trove.  Clothes, accessories, costume jewellery and textiles all at 37 Ruthven Lane.

Glorious is just a little further down at number 41. Stocking clothing for both sexes, I was ready for a rummage. The vintage was in good condition and was equally at home with the pre-loved but modern pieces within the shop. Something old and new in the same shop, ‘Glorious’.

Back onto Byres Rd. Here I hit the Charity Shops. Save The Children at 165, British Heart Foundation 217, Oxfam Charity Shop 231, Cancer Research UK at 315 and finally The Oxfam Bookshop at 330. I hope I haven’t missed any. All have their own charm but on this occasion nothing was purchased.

By this time it was nearing 3.30pm and I really needed a cuppa and a sit down. Thankfully, here we came upon Kember & Jones Fine Food Emporium and indeed it was fine food. Again we had to wait for a table but it was worth it. A huge mug of Green and Blacks hot chocolate hit the spot and I sat, people-watched and browsed their amazing deli and shop taking in the home made, local and organic offerings.

People-watching is a pastime I would heartily recommend to anyone. Whilst I was doing this I began to smile to myself. A group of three friends were sitting on the next table all immaculate and beautiful. But what made me smile was that each one was trying to outdo the last on how much she had spent on her last ‘fabulous’ outfit. Once upon a time that would have been Nicola (Daisy Green Founder) and I, but oh how times change. Actually not much really. Now we try and outdo each other on how cheaply we have bought our pre-loved and fabulous clothes. Guess what though - Nicola beats me every time. I’m still a novice at this bargain hunting game but I am an ace at timeless classics.

All in all Glasgow is a fantastic Daisy Green Magazine city and I have only scratched the surface. I can’t wait for the comments to tell us about the places that we have missed. I hear another Daisy Green visit calling in the very near future.

If you know of an area that is an absolute gem then please get in touch.  We love visiting new places and meeting new people.

Next month we are showcasing the delights of an area that the Daisy Green Magazine team know very well but, until recently, didn’t realise just how DGM it was.