Glasgow
The name
comes from the Gaelic ‘dear green city’, given its greenery. The language
Gaelic and the culture of kilts and bagpipes survived to this day, despite the
English invading it and banning them for many years.
Known as
the 2nd biggest commercial city in UK after London. Got its wealth
from trading tobacco in the 17th century, as American traders could
reach Glasgow almost 10 days faster than other ports of UK, like London on the
East, and therefore grew tobacco in Glasgow.
The
merchants who grew tobacco became so famous that the old town is called
Merchant city here, and all the roads leading up to it are named after the
merchants as well. They had direct access to the king of England and the central
square of the city is called George square, named of the English king, and not
someone from Scottland.
The
merchants had a very dark side though, as they employed slaves and child
labour.
City also
got its wealth from the shipbuilding industry, which followed the tobacco export
business. At one point, 1 in 5 ships worldwide were made here.
Apart from
the financial success, Glasgow is also famous for some writers. Walter Scott
and Robert Burns some of them. Walter Scott was responsible for giving the city
its romantic appeal, moving it away from its barbaric tones. Robert Burns has a
day after him, Jan 25, when people eat Haggis and drink whiskey.
Haggis is
the number 1 national dish, and the 2nd is tikka masala. Contrary to
popular belief, it’s not an Indian dish that went to London, it didn’t even originate
in India or introduced first in London. It was introduced to the city of Glasgow
by a Pakistani chef.
St Mungus
is the patron saint of the city. He standardized metrics here as a foot until
then was the size of the kings foot. Trade picked up after the standardization
of these metrics like feet and yard. City rivalry remained though, and Celtics
and Rangers are the 2 football clubs that continue their rivalry today.
Manchester
Known as
the birthplace of the industrial revolution. Though the steam engine wasn’t invented
here, the city gave the first passenger train and the first canals that brought
about the industrial revolution.
The city is
also known for giving the world the weekend as it was progressive with worker
wages and gave them the Sunday to visit church.
Emily
Pankers is the most famous woman here, with statues in the center of the city
as she fought for womens rights. She was responsible for giving women the power
to vote, though when it was first introduced, there were limitations such that
only women over 30 and those married could vote.
Midland
hotel is the most famous hotel here where the royal family reside when they
visit Manchester. It’s also known for hosting the Beckhams and the place where
Rolls and Royce first met. During the world war, Hitler said he would make this
his house once Germany beat England. For this purpose, the hotel survived the
bombing.
Football clubs
here are responsible for introducing club football to the world, mostly the
success Man United had. They own the Old Trafford stadium. Man City on the
other hand, rent the stadium from the city council by paying 7m a year for it.
Etihad pay another 7m just to have their name on the stadium.
Sinclair
pub is one of the oldest pubs in the world, established in 1500. It’s located
in the center of the city but was moved twice over the years. Molly the waitress
is the one with the picture outside the pub, and she’s known to throw cold
water on people who don’t leave the pub when it’s closed.
Liverpool
Was once the
biggest port on the West and again notorious for it’s involvement in slave
trade. Also had a shipbuilding industry like Glasgow and one of the builders
owned Titanic. The ship never docked in Liverpool, but over a 100 locals worked
there, including the famous musicians who continued playing while the ship
sank.
Today the
city makes its money from tourism and the film industry. Movies like the new
Batman and shows like The Crown were filmed here.
Cavern is
one of the most famous pubs, known to have hosted The Beatles some 190 times. Even
today, aspiring musicians play here, and the one playing when I visited was
pretty good.
City gets
its name from the muddy waters that flowed into the city. Liver the word for
Muddy and Pool for water. The symbol of the city is a fictitious bird called the
Liver bird. Was recreated from the Eagles that were used during the monarchy
and was forgotten for about 50 years and therefore while recreating, people
just used their imagination and came up with this bird.
