Seasonal Events

Glasgow On Ice L'ntil Sun 24 Dec. l0am—l0pm. £4 (£3); family ticket 112. George Square. 553 1937. George Square is transformed into a winter wonderland for Glasgow's first outdoor ice rink. Whether you want to skate. watch the demonstrations at 5.30pm. have a whirl on the fairground or simply soak tip the atmosphere. the centre of Glasgow should be at its most festive ever. See On Your Doorstep.

The Christmas Experience L‘ntil Sun 24 Dec, £5. New l.aiiark Visitor Centre. New Lanark Mills, lanark, 01555 6613-15. Family Christmas activities and pantomime performances for all the family.

Christmas Craft Fair t'iitil Thu 14 Dec. 6.30—9pm. Free. Mugdock Country Park, Craigallan Road. Milngav ie. 956 6100. Christmas craft fair with carols, festive food and drink plus a visit from Santa. Christmas Capers Sat 16 Dec. 1.30—3.30pm. Free. Pollok Country Park. Pollokshaws Road, 632 929‘). Christmas fun at the farm with the countryside rangers.

Festive Feeding Sun 17 Dec, 1.30pm. Free. Drumpellier Country Park. Townhead Road, Coatbridge, 01236 422257. Learn how you can help birds survive during the long, wet, winter months.

The Hogmanay Riverside Spectacular Sun 31 l)ec,~1pm. Free btit ticketed. Glasgow Science Centre. 50 Pacific Quay, 229 112‘). This family—orientated event kicks off Glasgow‘s New Year celebrations. See Glasgow‘s llogmanay feature.

Other Events

Flora Celtica L'ntil Sun 21 Jan. Free. Kelvingrove Art Gallery ck Museum, Argyle Street, 287 269‘). A travelling display of past, traditional and current uses of native Scottish )lants.

Paintings on Railings Sat 16 ck Sun 17 Dec 10am—5pm. Free. Gallery of Modern Art, Queen Street, 357 373‘). Open art fair. Scottish Computer Fair Sat 16 ch Sun 17 Dec, 10am—3pm. £3 (£1.50); under 10s free. SECC. Finnieston Quay, 0s70 040 4000. Everything you need to know about computers at trade prices.

Go Karting Thu 21 Dec—Sun 1~11an. times and days vary. £245. SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0870 040 4000. High speed. adrenaline fuelled action with indoor go- karting as part of this year's carnival. Highland Ball Fri 5 Jan, 7pm. £17.50. Milngavie Town Hall, 357 1S70. If you fancy being piped in on arrival, being entertained by the cabaret. dancing to the Jennifer Forrest Dance Band and feasting on a buffet then book up for this traditional evening of music and dance.

I PERMANENT ATTRACTIONS

Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvingrove Argyle Street. 2S7 26W. Mon—Thu cs; Sat l0am-5pm; Fri ck Sun llam—5pm. Closed Mon 25 ck Tue 26 Dec. Mon 1 Jan ck Tue 2 Jan; Sun 31 Jan 10am—1.30pm. Free. This fine example of late Victorian architecture houses a permanent collection of work by such names as Rembrandt. Botticelli. Whistler and Cadell. plus numerous historical artefacts and animal displays. Burrell Collection

2060 Pollokshaws Road. 2S" 2550. Mon—'lhu ck Sat l0am-5pm; Fri ck Sun 11am—5pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec ck Mon 1 Jan. Free. Sir William Btirrell‘s world famous collection of beautiful art objects from around the globe, housed iii a specially designed. award-w inning building.

Clydebuilt Scottish Maritime Museum

Braehead Shopping Centre. Kings Inch Road, 886 1013. Mon—Sat loam—6pm; Sun 11am—5pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec ck Mon 1 Jan. £3.50 (£1.75); family £8. This attraction. situated on the River Clyde. brings to life the story of Glasgow's development from the tobacco

lords in the 1"‘ttt's right up to the 21st century. You can take control of a real steam engine or learn to make a fortune as an ocean trader. and kids will enjoy the maritime playpark.

Glasgow Cathedral

Cathedral Street. 552 Sl‘IS. Mon~1~ri 0.30arii»1pm ck 2—4pm; Stiii 24pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec ck Tue 26 Dec. Mon 1 Jan ck Tue 2 Jan. Free. .»\ stone-built church has stood on this site since 1136 and the lower church contains the shrine of St Mungo. ys ho died around 612; however most of the present building dates front the 13th or 15th centuries. the most notable exception being the stained-glass window s, renowned as one of the finest post-war collections in the country. Sunday sery ices take place at 11am and 6.30pm and there are daily prayers at noon. ()h, and the necropolis is well worth a wander round as well.

Glasgow School of Art

The Mackintosh (iallery. 167 Renfrew Street. 353 4500. Mon—Thu 10am4tpm; Fri 10am~5prii; Sat 10am—-noon. Closed Sat 23 Dec—Wed 3 Jan. (ilasgow School of Art is Charles Rennie Mackintosh's greatest achievement and it continues to intrigue and inspire visitors from all oy er the world. Still a working art school, regular guided tours let you experience this famous and fascinating building. The Mackintosh Shop includes a range of gift items including contetiitXirary' art and design from students of the school. Tours take place Mon-Fri 11am ck 2pm, Sat 10.30am ck 11.30am and cost £5 (13). On Fri 22 Dec. last tour 11am.

House For An Art Lover Bellahouston Park, 10 Dumbreck Road. 353 4773. £3.50 (£2.50). Closed Mon 25 Dec. Tue 26 Dec. Mon 1 Jan s Tue 2 Jan. lnitially designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for a competition in 1901. this unfinished work has been completed by modern-day architects and designers in true Mackintosh style. Hutcheson's Hall 15S lngram Street, 552 S391. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Closed Sun 24 Dec—Wed 3 Jan. Free. Built by the philanthropic llutcheson brothers in the 19th century. the hall has recently been completely refurbished to give a taste of its former glory. The site also includes a ten-minute audio-visual display about the Merchant City. Note viewing is subject to functions in the main hall. Also permanently on display, Cilasgow Style, a major exhibition of objects made or designed by young (ilasgow designers.

Mugdock Country Park

Craigallan Road, Milngavie. ‘156 6100. Free. This country park on the north east side of the city has a full programme of ranger activities as well as numerous woodland paths and walkways. The visitor centre is open 9am—5pm every day of the year. Call for more details on the opening times of the gift shop and crafts unit, or for a full itinerary of countryside events. Museum Of Transport Kelvin Hall. 1 BurnhoUse Road. 2.5" 2720. Mon—lhu c\' Sat l0am—-5pm; Fri ck Sun llam«5pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec ck Mon 1 Jan. Free. A museum crammed with buses. trams. fire engines, ships and other paraphernalia. devoted to the history of transport. Permanent e\hibitions include Shipbuilding (lit The River ( fltft’. a large mural by David .‘ylcFariane; ltd/Artie [)rtt/It, an interactive sculpture by Stephen llealy; and lictirtiy (2f tram/wt by ltistin Carter.

People’s Palace & Winter Garden (ilasgow (ireen.55-10223. Mon—Thu ck Sat 10am—5pm; Fri ck Sun llama5pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec. Tue 26 Dec. Mon 1 Jan ck Tue 2 Jan; Sun 31 Dec 10am—1.30pm. Glasgow's best-loy ed institution has recently undergone a major facelitt to celebrate its centenary year. The new displays are set out thematically with

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ON YOUR DOORSTEP

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Everything you ever wanted to know about

GLASGOW ON ICE

George Square has gone through many transformations th.s year, but .ts present one IS definitely the best yet yyith an Open air ice rink and a skaters' pavilion Even if you have never skated before, this IS the time to tire slat as and QIH' it a wh;rl. Ail you have to do 1S pay for your ticket, swat your shoes for a pair of skates and then head out onto the ice You can hold onto the sides or you can seek out one of the many experienced helpers in the middle of the rink who will either tell you how it’s done or take you by the hand and show you how it’s

done

There are skaters of all abilities on the ice, only there’s nothing more

ikely to

bring you down to Size than a little kid whizzmg past, cutting a dash on the id, and of course you're still wobbling along at a snails pace thinking you're douig

really well.

Luckily there are different sesmons to soit everyone such as a public session, school sessions, Family fun seSSions accompanied by top children-friendly Christm s tunes, student sooals with DJs, and Skate ‘n’ Date sessions for the romantics among us If you’re still not sure how it's done, there are dei‘nonstrations S 30—6pm every weekday where the profess:onal; show you how to do it gracefully without wobbling, arms flailing and then landing on your bum

in a heap in the middle of the rink.

After your skate, why not relax in the skaters’ payilion and have tea, coffee or something from the bar, depending on the state of your nerves, or get into the spirit of the season With a glass of mulled wine The festive theme contir xies in the square with a traditional helter skelter and carousel as well as stalls selling everything from coffee and candy floss to reindeer antlers and Santa hats

George Square has always been the place to take the kids to see the Christmas lights, but for the next few weeks, it IS also the place for people of all ages to see the lights, have a skate, soak up the festive atmosphere and jom in the fun it may not be Central Park but it IS damn good fun and well worth a try

i’lane 'Tornll’ Harni toni Fun Factor ‘>/; Informative 3/5

Value for Money 5/:J

Added Extras Cafe/bar, helter skelter, carousel and stalls How to get there Next to Queen Street station and 2 mins from Buchanan Street

underground and Argyle Street.

How much it costs £4 iEBi, family ticket £12, skate hire 50p. When it’s open Daily until Sun 24 Dec loam—10pm. at Glasgow On /ce, George Square, Glasgow, 374 7447.

subjects including The Putter. l'isimis' ()f The City and Crime :1 nd Punishment.

Pollok House l’ollok Country Park. 2060 Pollokshaw's Road. 616 6410. Mon—Sun 1 1am-4pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec. Tue 26 Dec. Mon 1 Jan ck Tue 2 Jan. Free. One of the most elegant lhth century buildings in the country. this historic house features some of the finest Spanish paintings in Britain front the collection of Sir William Stirling Maxwell.

St Mungo Museum of Religious Life And Art

2 Castle Street. 553 2557. Mon—Thu 6.: Sat 10am—5pm; Fri c’s; Sun 11am—5pm. Closed Mon 25 Dec. Tue 26 Dec. Sat 30 Dec ck Sun 31 Dec; Fri 2‘) Dec

10am—1.30pm. Free. A museum of world faiths, featuring a Zen garden, priceless art works from the world‘s six major religions. Dali‘s (‘lirist ()fSui/it./o/iri ()f The Cross" and the story of religion in Scotland through words and pictures. The Tall Ship At Glasgow Harbour lllfl Stobcross Road, 33911031. Daily l0am—4pm. Closed Sat 23 Dec—Wed 27 Dec a Sun 31 Dec—Sat 6 Jan. £3.50 (£2.95); accompanied children free. Find out about Glasgow's maritime heritage on-board the SN. Glenlee, the only Clyde-built sailing ship still afloat in the UK. Visitors can explore the boat or talk to the crew, and there‘s a range of children's activities. On-shore, there is a restaurant in the restored Pumphouse as well as a permanent exhibition space.

14 Dec 2009—4 Jan 2001 THE “ST 97