Lobey Dosser Tribute Glasgow Blog

The real lowdown

The Lobey Dosser Tribute Blog is my mini-blog about the ferr city o' Glasgow (kind of a regular journal, really).

To get up to speed, dive into my archived bloglets & then the most recent stuff

I try to write as regularly as my lack of imagination will allow, and always welcome your thoughts in response.

My little blog...

• lets you know whenever any new or changed pages appear on my Top Ten Glasgow Guide, telling you about a new find, fun fact or feature (what about all those f's, eh?)
• keeps you up-to-date with other news, savings and past experiences (you know, like 'have you seen this new Glasgow steakhouse?', or 'what about that other new Glasgow steakhouse?' - You get the general idea!)
• and provides a platform for my pointless diatribe & attempts at humour I'm sure will push you into a slow madness as the paint dries

Check out the most recent updates below, and if you don't know or remember the great Lobey Dosser himself...

Oscars Restaurant Newton Mearns Glasgow

Calling Jim Mcgregor...

Jim, many thanks for sending me your review for Oscars in Ayr Road (I totally agree it's a great place), but unfortunately you must have submitted the review before completing it, as I've only received the first sentence of it and I don't have your email address to ask you for the rest so hopefully you'll read this.

If you've a spare moment, I'd be pleased if you could send me it again, perhaps with a photo of the place as well, and I'd be happy to get your review up on my site as soon as I can.

Thanks again Jim.

International Astronautical Congress Glasgow 2008

Glasgow will be going all space age in September. In recognition of our emerging status as one of the world's top convention cities, we've been chosen to host the 2008 International Astronautical Congress, the world's largest space convention.

Forming part of the convention from 29th September to 3rd October, will be a live video link at the Old Fruitmarket between Glasgow and the astronauts on board the international space station (I hope they can understand our accents...) and some major events at the SECC including what's sure to be a supercool space technology exhibition.

Basically, that means that during the convention, Glasgow will become the space capital of the world, and whilst all around the streets you'll be bound to see the usual numpties dressed as Yoda and Captain Kirk, I'm sure it'll be another superb exhibition of our hosting expertise in advance of the Commonwealth Games.

May the Force be with you...

25 years on in Glasgow and we're aw still smilin

25 years ago Glasgow launched the Glasgow's Miles Better campaign (or was it Glasgow Smiles Better?), and here's a wee article telling you all about its huge influence on the vibrant City I live in today.

It's advertising campaigns like this and See Glasgow that we really shouldn't take for granted here, because without them, without their images of cosmopolitan vibrancy that's spread throughout the world for all to come and see, the City would never have had the money or motivation to improve itself as it has done up until now, and my site more than likely would just have been a dodgy collection of horror stories rather than a celebration of everything that's great about my home town.

Come here and see for yourself - you may well go back home with a big smile on your face...

Grill on the Corner - best steakhouse in Glasgow

Boy oh boy. I've just completed my new review on my current best restaurant in Glasgow, Grill on the Corner.

After reading it you'll know all about the legend of Kobe Steak, what's so enticing on the menu of this place, and also, whether you like it or not, a little more insight into my meat-driven life.

If you ignore everything else I tell you about on this site, please don't ignore this page, because I've never been more serious about the fun you'll have in a place like this.

Good eating everyone...

The only Glasgow Street Map you'll need

For those of you with as bad a compass as me, you'll be pleased to know that I've just added and greatly improved my map section, to include an embedded Glasgow Street Map on my site that can be zoomed in and out, dragged around, and in which you can view street names as well as see the satellite image of your favourite buildings and attractions.

Have a look around, and if you still need a point in the right direction, just whisk yourself over to my Getting Around Glasgow section.

Have a safe and relaxing journey...

Imperial Rooms at Stavka Glasgow - Just like being back in the U.S.S.R.

I'm getting there - only a few more reviews to go and the Glasgow Restaurants section will finally be complete. Yey...

Here's my little take on Stavka Glasgow Imperial Rooms, one of the best Glasgow Russian restaurants and proudly in my Top Ten of all the restaurants in Glasgow.

Learn all about the four outstanding rooms there (Tsarskaya Dacha Cocktail Lounge, Dvor Baltika Courtyard, Imperial Rooms Restaurant, and Na Zdorovye), and spend a unique evening enjoying delicious cuisine and cocktails that have been inspired by the largely misunderstood history and people of Russia.

It really is a place that stands out from the rest in Glasgow, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do on a regular basis.

Mix it up with the Orchestra+ Glasgow Festival

Between 19th and 26th June this year, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is hosting a pretty unique and progressive three concert festival at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

On the 19th, you'll have the chance to see the ground-breaking Concerto for Turntables, which has been billed as pushing the boundaries of classical music by merging it with Hip Hop, and alongside the RSNO it'll feature the experimentalist Gabriel Prokofiev and the original and critically-acclaimed DJ Beni G.

On the 21st the British Pop Icon Elvis Costello will join the stage with the RSNO, and will perform some of his greatest hits like Accidents Will Happen, Shipbuilding, and God Give Me Strength, and the RSNO will also perform extracts from Costello’s first orchestral work II Sogno (The Dream), which was originally penned for a Ballet version of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Finally, you might think that the legendary video games like Mario, Zelda, Sonic the Hedgehog and Halo have absolutely nothing to do with classical music, but think again. On the 26th, Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, two of the most well-known figures in video games soundtrack composition, whose works include soundtracks to The Prince of Persia, Tony Hawk Pro Skater, Spider-Man, Advent Rising and Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, are conducting with the RSNO an internationally acclaimed first ever Scottish performance of Video Games Live, which will bring together the excitement and energy of a rock concert with the power and emotion of a symphony orchestra, combined with technology, interactivity, stunning visuals, state-of-the-art lighting and special interactive segments, all of which will ensure that the concert will overwhelm both gamers and non-gamers alike (and if you fancy grabbing up a ticket, apparently you're welcome to dress up as Lara Croft, Mario or whatever else you have the brass neck to look like).

Visit the link here for more information. I'm constantly amazed by the number of progressive events like this that Glasgow puts on year after year, and am looking forward to another summer of musical festivity...

Pollok House Glasgow and its Centuries of Memory

Following on from my last page on the enchanting Pollok Country Park, a day out there would not be complete without a few hours in Pollok House Glasgow.

This is a major attraction in its own right, and houses one of the world's most sought-after collections of Spanish Art, not to mention an award-winning restaurant and brilliant events all year round.

My little page on this 18th Century house also touches on the Maxwells and their legacy dating back from the 13th Century. All in all, a day out in Pollok Country Park with the Pollok House and Burrell Collection will leave you feeling completely relaxed and enriched with culture, a few hours of escape from the vibrant, pulsating City beyond...

Learn why Pollok Country Park is recognised as the best in Europe

A while ago Pollok Country Park was awarded the title of the Best Park in Europe.

It's a title which is totally deserved, and my new page on this breathtaking biosphere of an attraction in the southside of Glasgow will guide you through its place in the flowing timeline of Scotland's independence and evolution, and will introduce you to one of the most influential family dynasties the City has ever seen.

All that just from some trees and gardens eh?...

Savour the Burrell Collection & its world famous treasures

Hold your breath there - Docherty's completed another one of the top ten Glasgow attractions, a page on the Burrell Collection.

This is one of the most visited attractions in the City, and in my page about this outstanding museum, you'll learn why it's the single greatest gift ever given to the City of Glasgow.

If you've been there and have a photo and story to tell about it, don't by shy, share it with us all in my Photo Box...

R.I.P. Tommy Burns, 1956 - 2008

Calling all Glaswegians & friends

On 2nd May 2008, Cyclone Nargis ripped across the coast of Myanmar (Burma), bringing misery and devastation to tens of thousands of vulnerable people.

Please do your bit by donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee using the link here, and hopefully the victims of this astonishing tragedy might soon receive the assistance they need to get themselves back on their feet.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery wins again...

Once again Glasgow's very own Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum has come out tops in the list of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland.

It trumped Edinburgh Castle by almost double the amount of visitors, proving once again why it definitely deserves a visit when you're here.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh Gifts

Pretty often I'm asked how you can get a hold of quality Charles Rennie Mackintosh gifts that can be shipped in the UK & overseas, and Margaret from the Glasgow Girls has kindly reminded me of her site which does just that.

theglasgowgirls.co.uk offers a fantastic range of exclusive Mackintosh gifts and I'd certainly recommend that you take some time browsing around to see if anything catches your eye. If there's anything more specific you don't see on the site, just pop them an email and they'll try and help you as best they can.

zarraFAC is coming...

The excitement's buzzing already...

My new ezine called zarraFAC is in production, but at the end of the day, it's point will be to entertain YOU about all things Glasgow.

Tell me what you'd love to read about by completing my quick and free zarraFAC Survey, and get ready to play a part in the most exciting thing to come out of my home town since the ever-popular Lobey Dosser Tribute Blog...