Buchanan Galleries in the centre of Glasgow is recognised as one of the top retail destinations in the UK, with around 90 shops, from big named high street stores to small specalised shops they have something for everyone from the latest fashions to up to date gadgets, health and beauty to home furnishings.
If you like to shop designer there is a John Lewis which stocks clothing brands such as LK Bennett, 7 for All Mankind, French Connection and Ted Baker, beauty brands like Bobbi Brown, Clinique, Clarins, Estee Lauder and Dior. Not to forget the wide choice in home furnishings, electrical, toys and gifts. John Lewis also has, the licensed Place to Eat restaurant and Coffee Shop if you need to refuel.
There are also now two H&M stores with one just opening recently and currently stocking the new Jimmy Choo designed range, which is a must see. High street favorites like Republic who stock brands such as Bench, G-Star, Soul Cal and Henleys and Next which offers clothing, shoes and accessories and also a homeware department.
There are also some specalised shops if you are looking for that extra special present with a Scottish theme, such as Arran Aromatics with their own range of Scottish toiletries and gifts and the Whisky Shop who stock over 400 types of blended, malt and rare malt whiskies.
So the Scottish football season is upon us once more (follow the progress here). Personally, I’m attached to dear old Forfar – who are currently languishing in Division 3. The appeal of the top-flight in Scottish football is totally lost on me. People often moan about the English Premier League and the fact that it is dominated by the big four (Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) but at least other teams occasionally win the FA cup or threaten to bust the cosy elite up as Aston Villa nearly did last year before fading on the back of a thin squad. That’s a veritable feast of variety compared to the SPL, which has been the personal fiefdom of Celtic and Rangers for so long that it isn’t really funny any more.
Mainly, I guess, this is because Scotland is so largely rural that it is inevitable that teams from the big cities are going to come to dominate. But while I can accept it rationally, emotionally it is rather depleting to be looking at yet another season-long struggle between the two giant clubs. They might as well just play each other 40 times in the season so far as I’m concerned. I might be the only person in Britain hoping that the European Super League becomes a reality so the two of them can clear off and let someone else have peek at the title.
Anyway, I’m grumbling a lot, which I really shouldn’t do – having just unexpectedly won £320 on the bingo! I only joined for a laugh (and to dull the pain of Forfar’s early season form) and won all that with my five pound initial stake. Result! 