Glasgow's new home of whisky

The River Clyde is synonymous with shipbuilding and construction, but more recently with modern science, technology and innovation. Once the industrial hub of the city and gateway to the world, the shipyards and factories on the banks of the Clyde employed thousands of manual workers, building huge liners, importing goods and sending Scottish exports all over the world.

At the Queen's Dock, Crates bringing back spices from Asia and tobacco from America filled the air with a mixture of new and exotic scents. Among these was another unmistakable aroma: Scotch whisky. Right here, on the site of the birth of the whisky industry sits the newly opened Clydeside Distillery.

In its heyday, Glasgow was home to several whisky distilleries and 'whisky barons', businessmen who pioneered new products, built and shaped the landscape of the city. Among them was John Morrison, founder of the Queen's Dock who laid the foundations for Morrison Bowmore Distillers. In 2017, his ancestor Tim Morrison has opened one of the first malt whisky distilleries in Glasgow for over half a century.

Although the Clydeside Distillery is brand new and not currently producing any whisky yet (it takes three years to create a malt whisky) the doors are open to the public for tours to learn more about the history and the distillation process.

Our tour guide, Ronnie, was engaging, witty and definitely knew his whisky! The building is a bright, modern space with views of the Clyde and it retains the old stone of the Queen's dock and striking clock tower. It's a real joy to wander round, read and learn about the history surrounding Scotland's most famous tipple.

Even if you aren't a whisky fan, it's a fascinating and sensory experience. You might even be converted by the end of the tour, where you get an opportunity to sample 'Three Wee Drams' from across Scotland in a beautiful tasting room. And you get to keep your glass as a souvenir.

Ronnie guided us through the six steps of whisky tasting, encouraging us to take notes. There's a cute cafe offering delicious platters of home-grown produce and a gift shop, where you can take home your favourite whisky. You can even purchase bottles with personalised labels to commemorate a special occasion or trip.

Tours cost £15 for an adult and they run every hour on weekdays and every half hour on weekends. You can book online or buy tickets on arrival.

Combining history and tradition with innovation, the distillery brings new life to the banks of the River Clyde. It's a fitting tribute to the industrial, pioneering spirit of the city and an exciting vision for its future.

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Things I learned living on my own

Last weekend, I moved out of the flat I've lived in alone for two years, from age 25 to 27, to a new place with a flatmate. Not just a flatmate - a friend, and a close friend. It was a big decision to make - I'd been on my own for a while and had become very used to it. I'd never lived with anyone else before (parents don't count, neither do backpackers).

I deliberated for a long time but in the end, it just made sense to move. Namely, financial sense - living on my own was ridiculously expensive and it meant I could save a bit of money each month. Besides, living with another person was a new experience and I'd heard it could be fun! So I emailed my letting agency and just like that, ended my two year tenancy.

It felt a bit like ending a relationship. I'd grown very attached to my wee flat (which incidentally, was probably far too big for me.) I'd filled it with all the things I loved and really made it home. When moving out day finally arrived and I had to pack it all into boxes and leave, I felt heartbroken. I reflected on all of my memories of this place, everything that happened here. I held a 'farewell' party with some of my friends to give it a proper goodbye.

I recently this article by Polly Dunbar, where she talks about how she did most of her growing up in the flat she lived in during her mid twenties. I definitely agree - your childhood home is just that, your first 'grown up' home is the place where you really learn about yourself, and life as an adult.

I considered how much things had changed in the past two years for me, and how living on my own had helped mould me into the person I am now. It's definitely not for everyone so I don't want to say 'it's something everyone should experience at least once in their life' but for me, it was.

So here are 10 reasons why living on my own was so awesome.

1. Having a place that's truly yours. Stamping your personality all over it and having people say "this is such a Kirsty flat" when they walk in.

2. You get to feel all independent when you tell people "I live on my own". This usually generates one of two reactions: "Amazing!" or "Aw, that's so sad. Don't you get lonely?"

3a. Having no-one there to judge you when you're standing in your kitchen eating dry cereal out of the packet, crisps and anything else in your cupboards after a night out.

3b. Having no-one there to judge you when you wake up the next morning after said night out and find crumbs all over the kitchen floor, half-devoured mess, clothes and belongings strewn across every room.

4. Being able to be naked whenever you want (obviously)

5. Being able to sing loudly whenever you want. And talk to yourself.

6. Cooking whatever you want to eat. Even if that was a rotation of the same 5 meals. Ramen noodles again? Hell yeh!

7. Only ever having to clean up after yourself.

8. Never having to wait for the bathroom.

9. Being able to host 'dinner parties' for your friends.

(Reality: planning an extravagant menu and then panicking at 5pm on the way home from work when you realise you don't have the time, ingredients or culinary skills you thought you did. Cue plan B - basic menu option - which you still manage to mess up - rescued by a lot of crisps and hummus and a LOT of cheap wine.)

10. Eating all of the leftover food from said party when everyone leaves.

And, even though I'm still very new to it, here are some reasons why living with a friend is awesome too....

1. Having someone to come home and rant to.

2. Someone to motivate you to go to the gym.

3. Someone to share the household chores with.

4. Doing Beyonce dance routines in the living room is a lot more fun with two people (and a dog).

5. Learning new recipes and trying new things (pumpkin gnocchi is my new favourite dinner!).

6. Someone to do 'fashion shows' with and get their opinion on outfits.

7. Making a home that reflects both of your personalities.

8. Drinking wine on a Monday is perfectly acceptable when you have someone to share it with.

9. Having someone to come and pour you a glass of wine in the bath (and rescue you when you spill it in the bathwater).

10. Making new memories together and sharing everything in your lives - good and bad.

It was tough leaving my old place but I wouldn't go back there now. Change isn't always easy but I think it's a good thing and it can help you to grow.

Conclusion so far: living on your own is nice, but living with someone is definitely more fun. I will report back with more updates.

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Edinburgh Fringe Festival!

I do love a wee trip to Edinburgh recently! And since this year's Fringe festival has just started, it seemed like a perfect excuse for another wee jaunt through there on Wednesday. Since I've never been to the festival before I was curious to see what would be going on! When we arrived it was a tad rainy, but that is to be expected! We decided to take shelter in Mamma's Pizza in the Grassmarket, since we were also starving!

Cute teapots in a Grassmarket shop window

Chefs hard at work in Mamma's Pizza

We filled up on pizza and sweet potato fries, then ventured outdoors to see what was happening. Just outside the restaurant, there were street artists painting a massive mural, and a street performer who we watched escape from a straitjacket whilst riding a unicycle. This is no mean feat! We headed up the Royal Mile, watching more street performers including an acapella group and a man who was juggling knives inches away from an audience member's head! The rain had started again, so we took shelter in a cute little coffee shop, shared a pot of tea and a gigantic chocolate muffin! 

The cutest cafe on Cockburn St

It was so cosy. We used the opportunity to look at all of the leaflets and flyers we'd been given, and decide where to go next. We opted for Whistle Binkies pub, which was showing free comedy shows all day. We were lucky enough to see a hilarious comic called Andrew O'Neil doing his act "Mindspiders": very weird but if you like random comedy, you'll love it! Kind of like Noel Fielding/Bill Bailey. I thought he was brilliant. You can check out Andrew's website for more of his upcoming gigs.

After our dose of free comedy, we headed down to St Andrew's Square where there's all sorts of cool stuff happening! They have stalls, a stage with live performances, music and bars with deckchairs! They've even created a cute little pond. It was all very summery and lovely. 

St. Andrew's Square

Princes St. Gardens selfie!

By this point in the evening the sun had come out and it was perfect timing! We decided to enjoy a drink sitting outside a bar in Rose Street. We were going to go and watch more comedy but we were both pretty tired and working the next day so we went for the train home. On the way I stopped in at Primark and randomly purchased this gorgeous backpack! I can't wait to wear it on more adventures! :D

I had a great day in Edinburgh and I would recommend anyone to go and check out the Festival while it's on, because there is sooo much happening! I hope I might get a chance to go back and see more shows in the next few weeks.

Lastly, I've been nominated for a Liebster Award by the lovely Nicole over at Coco Made Her Do It! Thank you Nicole! :D Look out for a post on that featuring my nominations.

Goodnight everyone

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Sunday Fun

Some recent snapshots of the weekend! Sunday was another gloriously sunny day- absolutely loving the weather at the moment, Scotland! Please continue to keep up the good work!

Had some lunch, a few beers and a few games of pool at the Ark Bar (and old favourite student haunt of mine!) the beer garden has been done up since I used to go there, it looks lovely now! I like the outdoor mirrors - very Alice Through the Looking Glass...

I spied these cute grass flip flops at the Tiger store in Sauchiehall St- I absolutely love this shop! I wanted to buy everything in it but restrained myself, only buying a penguin keyring!

Continuing the childish theme - Craig and I couldn't resist some Simpsons mini lego figures... chilling with a Costa iced drink - ideal Sunday afternoon activities!

I recently passed my driving test (:D :D) and to say well done, Craig got me this cute card (with detachable biscuit-shaped magnet- so up my street) and a gorgeous new journal from Paperchase, since I am in need of a new one! Paperchase is another of my favourite shops- I could spend hours in there perusing the stationery!

My outfit of the day: it was warm but not roasting, so I went with a relaxed tee from Zara, polka dot skirt from H&M and my new boots from Fat Face which I absolutely LOVE (and they were a total bargain)

Happy Sunday everyone!

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