Sep/Oct Edition

Cover Image By Gregor Reid Photography

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER?

I’m 75, born in 1948, and have been a signwriter for 46 years. When I le school I joined Polycell products as a company sales trader during the troubles. I had to go to Ireland a lot to do training, normally for five weeks. I was married in 1970 and our first daughter was born in 1973, because of this I wanted to work om home. I thought to myself, what other work can I do that allows me to work om home. When I was 12 I had sign written the local butchers van, my ma got a few pounds of mince in return. I’ve always had an artistic flare. I put an ad in the Glasgow Evening Times for 3 nights and never looked back.

I’ve enjoyed every step of my career. I’ve worked all over Scotland and England. I even went to Dublin once, to do work in the Temple Bar area. A two week job turned into a fortnight - my wife was worried I wasn’t coming home!

“I remain traditional, all of my work is completely eehand and I specialise in Gold Leaf. You just need patience.”

WHAT WAS THE FIRST PAINTING YOU DID AROUND KITTY’S?

The first Kitty’s I painted in was Edinburgh. All of the original works in Kitty's Edinburgh was my work and recently I was back to do some new additions! The first mural style artwork I did in Kitty’s Edinburgh was the Christy Ring mural. I then worked in Waterloo Street and then finally the West End. All of the classic style boards are what I did first, more recently we added the cartoon style artwork.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BIT OF PAINTING YOU'VE DONE AROUND KITTY'S?

I would say the cartoon style artwork - it’s a bit more fun than lettering. I particularly love the lion. Like I said, all of my work is completely eehand so this was a good challenge!

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE KITTY'S TO DRINK IN?

Whatever one's closest!

Editor’s Letter

What a blast getting this edition together for you all – I don’t know how we fit it all in! We’ve had so much fun thinking about food and hospitality, Christmas bookings and socialising and have run with these themes for this autumnal edition.

It’s never too early to book in for those Festive gatherings that make the long winter months a glitter ball of fun. Isla McGraw picks her top three spots to delve a little deeper into their foodie offerings on Page 8. Whilst Amy Glasgow tests out the new Greek offering to open in Finnieston, Santorini, on Page 15. But if you’re in it to win it, enter our competition with Van Winkle West End for a ‘Kentuck-tea’ for two on Page 12 –someone’s got to win it right? Not this time, we’ve two prizes up for grabs!

This autumn we’re running our second ever staycation feature, mainly because

Christmas still feels that little bit too far away. A short break by water may be just the ticket for a refresh and Tracy Mukherjee has some sparkling options to offer on Page 36. If you book, take some pics and tag us on socials – we’d love to see them and live through you vicariously!

Now I’m away for a lie down. Why? Because it’s the bumper Christmas edition next and I’m feeling a bit daunted as always. Maybe I need a weekend away by the sea? I think I know where to read about that…

/westendermagazine

To advertise call Suzanne on 07905 897238, or email suzanne@westendermagazine.com

Publisher: Westender Magazine

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Westender Magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior permission of the publisher.

Image

© Gregor Reid Photography

Suzanne Martin

A December To Remember!

Christmas is the most magical time of the year where you can meet up with friends and family, immerse yourself in the festive spirit and overindulge guilt free. Now, I’m not asking you to put up the Christmas tree just yet so don’t get your tinsel in a tangle, but December is one of the busiest months of the year and last-minute reservations simply won’t cut it. Not to worry, I’ve put together a list of three of the best venues the West End has to offer this holiday season. Whether it be a festive beer with friends or a Christmas feast with the family, these hot spots won’t disappoint.

WORDS ISLA MCGRAW

THE SKILLET

First up is The Skillet located on Hyndland Street. This restaurant, wine, and cocktail bar is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a bite to eat or drinks with friends and family this Christmastime.

With a relaxed dining experience on offer, the venue really is suited for all. In the absence of party nights, The Skillet is an ideal location for either family, small group, or couple dining. Accepting both bookings and walk-ins throughout December, and with space for larger groups, those simply looking to enjoy the festive period are welcome.

With a bar area available, you can pop in to enjoy a glass of fizz, or the extensive range of delicious signature and classic cocktails, Negroni menu and wine list.

Celebrate this Christmas with The Skillet’s mouth-watering menu. Replacing the a la carte menu will be a mix of their usual style of dishes with various festive influences as an extended two and three course menu from 12 noon till 9pm. The usual brunch menu will remain on offer from 10am till 3.30pm during the month of December.

The Skillet is the perfect place for all your festive plans. On call to help you celebrate the magic of the Christmas season, a warm, festive atmosphere awaits.

THE GROSVENOR CAFÉ

An Ashton Lane favourite, The Grosvenor Café has its customers at the heart of its festive calendar. There truly is something for everyone, whether it’s breakfast with Santa for the little ones on a fun-filled family day out, wreath making with friends paired with the perfect bottle of wine, or if you are heading out with the office for some festive food, drinks and karaoke.

Under a canopy of fairy lights, you will find a whole host of activities for young and old alike, with a fantastic selection of delicious menus. You can choose to dine in the main restaurant, or party the night away up on the grand Mezzanine with its own private bar. Or if you’re looking for something a little more intimate, the two private dining rooms are perfect for hosting exclusive get togethers.

When stopping in mid-week, you’ll find live music to enjoy and help you relax ahead of the busy festive weekends. The weekends see the venue fully emerge into a winter wonderland party for everyone and with tailored and bespoke packages available, The Grosvenor Café is guaranteed to please kiddies, family and friends, and colleagues.

The festive menu runs all through the month, however the regular main menu is available mid-week for smaller parties or walk ins for some bites and drinks.

Although the venue accepts walk-ins, due to the busy season and popularity of the space, for anyone looking for tables, booths, or the exclusive rooms, I would recommend booking so not to miss out on all the festive fun.

The Grosvenor Café will add a little fizz this festive season when you book a midweek Christmas party before September 22nd and enjoy a glass of prosecco on the house… how could you say no to that.

For those celebrating Christmas in January with a belated festive party the festive menu can still be available, and you can continue the magic of Christmas with a jolly good meal.

Whatever you’re looking for this Christmas, The Grosvenor Café will make sure the bubbles are on ice for your arrival.

© The Skillet

© Grosvenor Cafe

BREL

Looking for a cosy spot to dine this Christmas? With fireplaces to toast marshmallows under magical lights, Brel on Ashton Lane is just the place. This snug setup is sure to keep you warm the whole night through.

With Christmas packages at £40 per person, you can revel in a Festive Fondue with beer or bubbly on arrival along with a cheese fondue paired with all the trimmings and followed by a Chocolate fondue with sweet treats.

If you’re looking to stay toasty, why not book a firepit where you can sip on a bottle of bubbly and satisfy your sweet tooth with deliciously gooey melted smores, starting at £15. It’s the perfect way to cosy up with friends and loved ones this season.

The in-house menus will be available with Christmas additions along with the Alpine Christmas menu. Alpine Dining & Drinks gets you a beer or bubbles on arrival and a drinks token for your second drink. This two-course festive meal gets you one starter, one main, and the option to go all out and add a dessert – it is Christmas after all.

If you’re looking to tuck in this December, then the Christmas Buffet is the one for you with a reserved area for your group to delve into a festive banquet of the best food Christmas has to offer. And it doesn’t stop there, two drinks token are gifted per person to help you water down all that glorious food.

This venue will meet all your winter wonderland expectations and be sure to keep you toasty this Christmastime.

brelbar.com

grosvenorwestend.co.uk

skillethyndlandst.com

© Brel

© Brel

COMPETITION TIME AT VAN WINKLE!

The West End’s very own Bourbon Bar, Van Winkle, have teamed up with Westender to offer two lots of two people a fantastic ‘Kentuck-tea’ at their spot on Sandyford Place (previously McPhabbs).

Van Winkle’s Kentucky inspired afternoon tea is a delicious offering of four types of savoury bites – halloumi, chicken, mac & cheese and cauliflower – with their own

dipping sauces; mini BBQ pulled pork and crispy chicken caesar salad sandwiches; rounded off with a sweet hit of brownie bites and mini Belgian waffles, with tea and filter coffee to finish.

And as a dedicated Bourbon Bar, you can bet Van Winkle has an amazing selection of bourbon’s, beers and fabulous cocktails to compliment your delicious ‘Kentuck-tea’ too.

WIN! Two prizes for two people are up for grabs folks! Enjoy a ‘Kentuck-tea’ for two with a welcoming glass of bourbon on arrival. Enter at westendermagazine.com and click on Competions by Tuesday 31st October ‘23. Ts&Cs apply.

Van Winkle West End

23 Sandyford Place G3 0141 339 9993

vanwinkle.co.uk

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Santorini

Reviewed by Amy Glasgow /theglasgowdiet

If you’ve been wondering where the Spanish tapas bar and restaurant Rioja on Argyle Street disappeared to, you wouldn’t be the only one. The good news is that in its place, a Greek restaurant inspired by its namesake, Santorini, has opened, serving up traditional Greek mezze using fresh, vibrant ingredients.

As someone who has been visiting Greece every summer for the past 20 years, I tend to be quite picky about Greek restaurants, so I was curious to see if Santorini would live up to my expectations.

Like so many restaurants today, the menu is designed to be shared, with dishes coming out as and when they are ready, so we started with some pitta bread with tzatziki and Melinzanosalata, a roasted aubergine dip flavoured with fresh garlic and olive oil. The aubergine dip was the standout for me, full of the heady aroma of garlic, with the richness of olive oil and a finishing zing of fresh lemon.

Alongside dips there are a range of Greekinspired dishes on the menu, from salads to Greek classics, seafood and dishes from the grill such as chicken, pork souvlaki or grilled halloumi.

The classics were total crowd pleasers, from the grilled halloumi and pomegranate salad, the halloumi fries to the chicken souvlaki. However, the standouts for me were the more unique and traditional dishes, like the pastitsio, a dish that is known as the Greek lasagne, with layers of pasta, minced lamb in a rich tomato and lightly spiced sauce, and topped with a creamy bechamel.

For cheese lovers, I recommend ordering the Flaming Saganaki. Something I always order when I’m in Corfu on holiday, it is a Greek semi-hard cheese that is lightly coated in flour and fried until crisp on the outside and oozing and gooey on the inside. Here at Santorini, it is served in a cast iron skillet with the flame till licking the sides of the dish.

There are lots of other dishes I would love to go back and try, with options to suit every diet, from veggie to pescatarian. Santorini is the perfect spot for relaxing over a long lunch with cocktails and wine with friends in the heart of Finnieston.

Butchering Your Tax!Bill

HMRC actively looking to save you significant spend on your tax bill?

Cavetta Consulting, a local capital allowances firm, showed Donald Butchers in Hyndland exactly how to claim this legitimate business relief.

Alan Cadden, director of Cavetta Consulting, used his fifteen plus years’ of capital allowances surveying experience to reduce the tax bills of Kevin and Danielle McMillan, owners of Donald Butchers, allowing them to expand their existing business in Uddingston and open a new state of the art facility in Hyndland.

This was made possible by Cavetta Consulting (working alongside the company’s accountant) identifying and valuing tax saving fixtures incorporated within the new production area and offices at the Uddingston store and in the redevelopment of the Hyndland store, past the initial design stage and extending all the way through to delivery of the project.

Danielle and Kevin inherited the Uddingston Main Street shop from Danielle’s great uncle Marshall in 2013. From visiting markets at five-years-old, to being taught the different breeds of cattle on road trips, Danielle knew she would one day take her uncle’s place. After Danielle and Kevin left school, Kevin began working for Marshall as his apprentice and stumbled upon a career he loved.

In 2020, the couple decided to expand the 116-year-old Uddingston shop by converting the flats above it into a production area and office space. Their accountant advised the pair to appoint a specialist surveyor to prepare a capital allowance claim. In the process of trying to find a local firm that could help him, Kevin discovered that Alan, a frequent customer to their store, had helped a number of businesses successfully claim this property tax relief. After a year in planning and design, the refurbishment was underway and with the final cost totalling almost four times the initial budget, Alan was able to significantly reduce the pain by slicing a hefty chunk from their tax bill.

In legally reducing the company’s corporation tax bill, money was then available to aid the business expansion. Kevin said, ‘The relief on tax costs from our Uddingston store has been put back into the business to cover the costs of refurbishment and we have just brought in an apprentice for Hyndland, which wouldn’t have been possible without help from Alan.’

With the Uddingston extension boasting a modernised bright environment, office, staff canteen, and additional production space, the store has moved with the times and offers staff and customers an inviting place to work and purchase from.

Images

© Gregor Reid Photography

Surprisingly, it has been reported that only 30 per cent of eligible businesses claim this tax relief. Even more surprising is that the tax man encourages businesses from sole traders to large corporations, to claim it. However, whilst accountants can easily claim if for movable fixtures such as desks, chairs and computers to name a few, ‘The main difficulty in determining whether an asset qualifies as plant or machinery comes with assets incorporated into buildings’. CA20006 – HMRC Capital Allowances manual.

The problem accountants face is that the tax relief is buried within the building works and they need a chartered surveyor who has knowledge of buildings and valuation techniques, to identify and value the tax deductible fixtures correctly.

The main challenge Alan faces is ‘people think it’s too good to be true: that they can write all this tax off. But new tax reliefs introduced a few years ago mean that many shops, bars, and restaurants fitting out their stores are discovering that the whole cost of their fit outs are in some cases 100 per cent tax deductible.

‘And the benefit to the business, in money not going to the tax man that they can then invest back into the business, is phenomenal.

Will they take on another staff member that they didn’t think they could afford, or an apprentice and start a young person on their path? Maybe they can invest more in technology that’ll make them more productive and take that next step into a bigger market or invest in research and development?’

In 2021, Donald Butchers expanded to the West End opening their popular Hyndland Road store. Previously a footwear shop, the space underwent a complete transformation to showcase Donald Butchers’ high-end brand and the tax relief valued by Cavetta certainly made the launch of this shop considerably smoother from a financial point of view.

Kevin and Danielle are delighted with their tax relief, with Kevin saying ‘Alan makes the whole process really easy. He takes what is perceived as a complicated process for businesses and breaks it down to explain it in a way that you can understand – he makes it all manageable. I have recommended Alan to other businesses, and I will continue to so they can receive the same benefit we have.’

With two store fronts, 13 employees, and a goal of owning three butcher shops, one for each of Kevin and Danielle’s children, it might not be long before they call on Cavetta Consulting again.

LEFT: Kevin McMillan of Donald Butchers BELOW: Alan Cadden of Cavetta Consulting

The Crypt Café @Wellington Church

WORDS TRACY MUKHERJEE

To all of us Westenders who have wandered the hallowed halls of Gilmorehill during our university days, there are certain buildings that are simply cemented not only in our memories, but our hearts. Of course the East and West Quadrangles with the utterly beguiling interconnecting cloisters are the obvious choice; the Thompson Building for me was another. But one building that continues to be as regular a landmark in my daily walks as it was all those years ago is the Wellington Church on University Avenue.

The Wellington Church congregation dates back to 1792 and was originally based in Wellington Street in the city centre. It moved to its present dwelling after the new church was built. The build between 1883 and 1884 was for the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland. For those who are not familiar with the church, its neoclassical entrance is set

with magnificent Corinthian columns and was designed by architect Thomas Lennox Watson. Watson also designed Adelaide Place Baptist Church in Charing Cross and the stunning Royal Marine Hotel in Hunters Quay, Dunoon. The church is now a home for both religious and secular university and community events.

Tucked into the undercroft of the church is the Crypt Café. This hidden treasure welcomes everyone without exception and without reservation. For more than 45 years, during university term time – September till March – the Crypt Cafe has welcomed the world. Students from around the globe are studying at the University of Glasgow. There are around 30,000 from 140 countries. Primarily catering for the local student population, since 2004, the Church and Crypt Café have been home to the International Welcome Club. Informal English language

tuition is available in the café; it’s a time to learn in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere –and the scones are simply delicious too! The motive of the club is to ‘extend the hand of Christian friendship to anyone new to the city’. And with good company, good food, and affordable prices it really is a model of how life should be.

The Crypt Café is used by the Church’s International Welcome Club every Thursday to anyone from any country who wants to practise English. The weekly Conversation Corner was started by the club almost 10 years ago and flourishes with students, migrant workers, asylum seekers – people who are in Glasgow for a wide variety of reasons. The club helps people make friends, solve problems or simply have a laugh together.

The church is heavily involved in social issues especially homelessness. With the accommodation problem in the city growing ever more concerning – for students and workers, local people and international visitors – there is of course, no simple answers.

The Wellington Church community, the Crypt Café staff and the vital volunteers from the local and student communities all do their best to help when help is needed. The café only aims to cover its own costs and operates as a ‘not for profit’ entity.

The Café is a great community hub and has so much more on it’s menu than the delicious food on offer. Volunteers gain great experience which helps them find jobs. Those using English as another language find people they can chat with. And those in crisis find a friendly face and listening ear when they need it most.

All in all, Wellington Church Crypt Cafe is a well-kept secret resource which nurtures the people around it. Well worth a try... so join the queue when it reopens in September 2023.

Would you like to volunteer at the Wellington Church Crypt Café on University Avenue? Pop in and ask to speak to a member of the team.

Wardrobe Wars

This is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down. So, I’d like to take a minute (this really was the wildest) and I’ll tell you how I was edited by The Closet Stylist…

WHERE DO I BEGIN?

Maybe, after a lovely meeting with a lovely lady named Elena. I was writing an article about how in life we go through a series of transitions – divorce, moving job, having children – and the lovely Elena had agreed to be interviewed by me. Elena is a personal stylist, The Closet Stylist in fact; sometime Fashion Editor and Stylist for Westender Magazine, contributor on Radio Scotland and all-round Superwoman. Not at all intimidating. We have a compelling meeting, where Elena discusses with me her Personal Styling business, The Wardrobe Edit, what it entails, who it is aimed at, what she hopes to achieve during the edit.

So, was that where it began, the story? Actually, it starts way before then.

For as Elena is discussing the type of women (and men) who need her help, what kind of changes in their life lead to feeling lost in terms of their style, I realise, Elena is talking about me. The story actually begins way before that fateful meeting; in fact, around 15 years before.

Like so many of us, my life has involved loss, bereavement, heartbreak. But there came a point in mine, where that cycle was so relentless, so utterly exhausting, I lost myself in the mix. A previous devotee of my own quirky style and pride in my appearance, looking after myself seemed utterly pointless and actually, in terms of what I was going through, utterly frivolous.

Years of the same grind. And whilst I am very much out of that gut-wrenchingly dark time, I have emerged with absolutely no selfesteem. That happens doesn’t it when life just keeps throwing you melon-sized lemons?

After that meeting, I felt I had been doinked in the face with a frying pan in order to wake up to myself. A little chat with the also lovely Commander-in-Chief / Editor Suzanne and the bright idea of Wardrobe Editing me for the magazine falls on the table. I, say, yes.

WORDS TRACY MUKHERJEE IMAGES SUZANNE MARTIN

ELENA

Elena McTaggart – Freelance Stylist, Fashion and Personal Styling, Fashion and Instagram Blogger, Fashion Writer, Occasional BBC Radio Commentator, Marketing Consultant, Social Media and Branding Expert – and she

is going to go through my knicker drawer. Well actually, no, she draws the line at that, but only just.

Elena actually starts with some questions for me during the Edit. When you open your wardrobe how does it make you feel? What are your fashion influences? How open are you to throwing items out? Answers –Overwhelmed, Dawn O’Porter and ehhhhhh…

First Elena starts with coats and jackets and quips ‘Clients find it easier to start there than in your bra and knickers’. Oh, she’s such a joker, thinks I.

First jacket on then looking at myself straight in the mirror (which is the first for a long time). ‘What do you think?’ says Elena ‘How does this jacket make you feel?’ I say, yeah, it’s quite nice. It’s a quirky little cape number that I bought circa – 1999, circa –size 10, circa – okay THAT wasn’t yesterday. In the kindest possible way Elena points out how this maybe isn’t the most flattering for me. Mainly because of my ‘Wall of Boob’. This will be a recurring theme on the Edit but as Elena points out, she has many a trick up her sleeve to bash that wall down! ‘Do you love it?’ I don’t really know what she means by this initially, because to my eyes I will love nothing that is on me.

THE EDIT

And so, on we go… Nope, too small. Nope, dated. Nope, the moths have been at it. Then, it’s another cape. One with black faux fur around the bottom and collar. I try it on. ‘Okay, how does this one make you feel?’ asks Elena. And I realise what she means by ‘Do you love it?’ Because I do. I absolutely love it. It’s my style. It’s a glimpse of me again, that I had forgotten existed in amongst my mahoosive hoarding of clothes. Elena explains why this is a better choice. There is no Wall of Boob, it’s not double breasted, it drapes well at the shoulders. It is, all round better suited to me.

And this is how the day goes. And yes, I have to get into my undies. By the time I do, I couldn’t care less, because this woman knows her stuff. A tuck here at the wrists ‘a wee flash of the wrists and ankles, always flattering’, a roll up of the jeans to a better length for one who is 5 foot 3 inches. Sure, there are one or two comments that smart regarding my previous dress sense. ‘Have you been Cossack dancing?’ for example. But it is in extremely good humour, has me in fits of giggles and puts me entirely at ease.

Before I know it, I have a mountain of coats, trousers, cardigans, and dresses, all going to charity. I can now see my wardrobe. I’ve been Edited. Elena has organised my wardrobe into items to build outfits – tops, trousers, dresses, jackets – which are all interchangeable with other items. I can see the gaps in my wardrobe; for me in particular, bottoms. I know the areas of myself to accentuate – v-neck will destroy Wall of Boob – and how to camouflage areas that I fixate on too much. Elena puts some outfits together for me that I would never have dreamed would suit me. They do.

I ask Elena post Edit what does she want people to feel about opening their wardrobe? ‘Excited.’ She says, ‘What you want is an impression of “this is my shop, these are the things I enjoy wearing and love and feel great in.” You have a lot less but now everything in your wardrobe you can wear, you know it fits, you know it looks nice on.’

We look at the mountain of clothes ready to be packed up and donated. Most of it is from the time before, when I loved getting ready, loved clothes, loved how I looked in them. Elena says ‘Get rid of the clutter from the past, because that’s what it is, clutter. Curate what you love, what you get excited about today. Dressing is the first part in your armour, of how you present yourself to the world. If you feel great, that’s how you’ll present yourself.’

So how do I feel post Edit? Excited – she did it! Stylish. Hopeful.

That last look in the mirror before I step out the door no longer reflects a grimace but a wink. You got this.

Elena Taggart, The Closet Stylist On Insta as @the_closet_stylist

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2018

RRI

by Tara Jack

It’s been all go at Rainbow Room International Great Western Road. One of our newly qualified stylists, Alex, has been away in Italy as part of our Rainbow Room International Academy’s Trainee Italian Exchange Programme for two weeks of culture and education. New skills Alex will now bring back to the salon to further enhance her client work.

Now we are in autumn, we will also see a change in client requests in the salon. Clients will be looking to change their hair colour up for the new season, opting for gorgeous rich auburn and copper tones and pairing these with beautifully layered cuts.

In the lead up to winter, we will also see clients looking to take care of their hair with treatments and haircare, putting the condition back into their hair. We have a number of Reconditioning Treatments across our Rainbow Room International salons that are like a luxury facial for your hair with a choice of deep cleanse, scalp exfoliation or shine to tailor to your hair needs. Simply call our Great Western Road salon for an appointment on 0141 337 3370.

WIN! Rainbow Room International are offering one lucky reader a hair makeover in their Great Western Rd salon. For your chance to win go to westendermagazine.com and click on competitions by 31st Oct ‘23.

September

Shania Twain

Thursday 14th September 6.30pm OVO Hydro sec.co.uk

Shania Twain likes horses. Even the first song on her new album is called 'Giddy Up!' Shania Twain has been a huge Global star for nearly 30 years now, in part thanks to her uber producer and ex-husband Mutt Lang (he of Boomtown Rats, ACDC, Def Leppard and Bryan Adams fame). 100 million album sales later she's out treading the boards in 2023. I'm listening to her new album 'Queen Of Me' as I type this. It's not what I expected. Not much country, it's kinda like music you hear when you're on holiday in an obscure cafe/bar/ restaurant/hotel lobby and it quickly sonically frames your stay abroad. You don't really mind it, it fits with where you're at, with the people around you, but you'll never really seek it out when you get home. Ms Twain is out on a world tour Sept till Nov this year.

If Lil Nas X can ride a horse onto a stage, surely Shania can too. Although she'd have to source one at every city she visits...

Choice Track: Shania Twain

'Queen Of Me'

D. Cullen

Monday 18th September 8pm

The Doublet Bar tickets-scotland.com

I've been keeping an eye on this young Irish singer/songwriter for a year or so. I've just not been able to introduce him to you till now. When I first heard D. Cullen, the excitement I experienced reminded me of the first time I heard Tobias Jesse Jr. back in 2013.

LIVE

Poor Tobias, frustrated with his lack of traction as a songwriter, decided to just go out on tour and sing his own songs by himself. It worked. Wind forward 10 years and he now doesn't need to do much as he's written songs for the likes of Harry Styles, Adele, Shaun Mendes and Lewis Capaldi. I'm not saying that D. Cullen's career will go the same way, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if it did.

The video for his song 'Warm' has the most beautifully simplistic, heart string pulling visuals I've seen since Coldplay's 'Fix you' (Apart from the slow motion running bit). Something big should happen to this guy soon.

Choice Track: D. Cullen 'Warm'

George Bowie

Sunday 24th September 9pm Radisson Red songkick.com

George Bowie is a Glasgow institution. This quinquagenarian DJ has hosted the Radio Clyde Breakfast Show (7am9am, Mon-Fri) since 1996. That's 27 years of getting up at 4am, going on air at 7am bright'n'breezy for the half million people that tune in every morning. That's a shift.

When he plays live, he brings that energy and relentlessness to the stage. I witnessed this in person at last year's Party At The Palace in Linlithgow (we were on two acts after him). The audience's reaction to his set was infectious. He also likes to remix popular songs to fit his remit, and a heart wrenching Capaldi ballad time stretched to fit a 130bpm, 4 on the floor banging backing track somehow worked on that sunny afternoon in West Lothian. I'm not sure if he'll have to temper it a bit for the beautiful Radisson Red rooftop's vibe, but I doubt he will. You have been warned.

by Greg Kane

October

Young The Giant

Sunday 1st October 7pm

Òran Mór oran-mor.co.uk

I'm so late to this. Young the Giant are an American rock band formed in Irvine, California, in 2010. The band's line-up consists of guitarists Eric Cannata and Jacob Tilley, Francois Comtois on kit, bassist Payam Doostzadeh, and fronted by charismatic lead singer Sameer Gadhia. What a beautiful voice he has. They've won multiple awards and plaudits throughout the last 13 years including for a legendary concert at the hallowed 17,000 capacity Forum in Los Angeles in 2019. Their music is not exactly classic US Indie, not as earthy as REM, The Strokes, Kings Of Leon or White Stripes but a bit more polished, not afraid to use synths and loops when required, but always with the voice and guitars up front. They're out on tour from July till year end.

Choice track: Young The Giant 'Cough Syrup'

Scene Queen

Monday 2nd October 7pm

Galvanizers Yard swg3.tv

Hannah Collins, known as Scene Queen and formerly RØSÉ, is an American singer/songwriter known for coining the style 'Bimbocore', a subgenre of metalcore. Her music is not for the faint hearted, Bimbocore is violent, full of expletives and celebrates excessive aggression towards men. It is threatening, but she admits that it's all just theatre for her. It's very good theatre though, it disturbs me!

She recently played a much lauded set at the Slam Dunk festival in Leeds and

also performed at the Heavy Music Awards at London's OVO Arena this year. I like the metal scene, I've said it in the past that you'll never meet a nicer, friendlier bunch of people than the heavily pierced tattooed brigade that follow this music, but I would be slightly intimidated standing in a Scene Queen crowd. The fearty in me thinks, 4,000 people corralled into an old industrial yard in Finnieston on a Monday night being blasted with aggressive, violent, feminist metal... what could go wrong? In actual fact most probably nothing. Let's Party!

Choice Track: Scene Queen

'Ken & Barbie'

Genevieve Dawson

Thursday 5th October 7.30pm

The Hug & Pint thehugandpint.com

Scotland is producing some of the most compelling sirens of song right now. Lizzie Reid, Georgia Cecile, Kathryn Joseph, Tamzene, Becky Sikasa, Aiitee – I could go on. Edinburgh born Genevieve Dawson rightfully takes her place amongst these trailblazers. What a voice. What wonderfully constructed melodies. What perfect delivery. And she plays a mean guitar and keys too. The music is pretty much genreless. It can be ethereal, it can be groovy, it can be complex but it never disappoints. It's early days, but to these ears it's already there. I'm a professionally trained audio engineer and when you hear a voice like this you imagine what microphone you'd put in front of it, what environment you'd place her in to get the best out of it. But to be honest she could sing into a phone with a bucket over her head and it would still sound overwhelmingly beautiful.

Choice track: Genevieve Dawson

'Carry It Slowly'

Top Things To Do

in the West End

by Tracy Mukherjee

Genuinely, how is it autumn? With the year simply flying in, it never ceases to amaze me how we happily navigate the change of seasons. So here we are in harvest time, autumn leaves a-tumblin’, and the beckoning of pumpkins and crackling fires… What top things are around and about?

Top for Lovely Live Music

With live music seven days a week, Kitty O’Shea’s on Great Western Road is a brilliant toe-tapping venue. From 6pm every week day, the bar (once iconic Clatty Pats) also have Saturday afternoon sessions. The early evening sets are scheduled specifically to appeal to the early crowd, but with music well into the wee hours too, the late nighters will be just as happy. A pretty perfect night – some early live music, a warm Irish welcome and the best pints of Guinness in the West End? It’s what the venue is renowned for and it's important to the Kitty O’Shea team that the customers can always leave having had a great night out. But what about the music? Eclectic for sure, including solo acts, duos and groups. The gigs can feature anything from stalwart Irish classics (well it is the West End’s number 1 Irish bar), country, to a bit of pop and always some crowd pleasers.

Regular performers include the stunning voice of Ally Rennet, Cooney & Danny, the south-side’s Papa Shandy & The Drams, as well as guitar and fiddle duo Eddie & Dezi. With something for everyone, what a treat to have the option of live music every day of the week.

Kitty O’Shea’s Live Music Sessions

7 Days a Week, (Mon – Fri from 6.30pm, Saturday from 3 – 6pm), Kitty O’Sheas

Great Western Road

W: kitty-osheas.com/west-end/west-livemusic

Top for A Market Wander

Partick Farmers Market has been a West End staple as long as I can remember. The twice monthly market in Mansfield Park has over 40 producers bringing healthily Scottish Fair to our little corner of Glasgow. The market helps local producers sell their goods directly to the public. The traders have an array of seasonal fruit and veg, meat, eggs and the ever favourite bakery stalls. Look out for wee free tasters as you wander… beat me to the cheese stalls if you dare! Along in Finnieston, drop into The Secret Market GLA at The Hive. On the first Sunday of each month around 40 vendors sell boutique, quirky and contemporary goods. Like Partick Farmers Market, look out for the street food stalls for some yummy scrummy delights while you peruse the market.

Partick Farmers Market, 9th and 23rd September, 14th and 28th October, Mansfield Park, G11 5QE

w: citypropertymarkets.co.uk

Secret Market GLA, 3rd September and 1st October, The Hive, Finnieston G3 8LZ

i: @thesecretmarketgla

Top for Nosy Neighbours

Doors Open Days are set to return all over Scotland. In Glasgow the event takes place on Sat 16th and Sun 17th September. The annual chance to see through the keyhole of some of our most interesting buildings, those areas which the public don’t usually have access to, is a highlight of the autumn calendar. For all details:

Doors Open Days

Various Venues

Sat 16th – Sun 17th September

W: doorsopendays.org.uk/whats-on

Top Things To Do in the West End

Top for Comedy

As the dark nights draw in, I absolutely love a night out to a live comedy show. This autumn, there are no shortage of options. At Oran Mor, there are a couple of hilarious gigs to look out for. First, catch Serena Terry AKA Mammy Banter in her show Socially Needier. Serena is a Sunday Times Best Selling author and is a massive hit on social media. Her comedy skits on the sites led to The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum, her first novel which made the Sunday Times best-seller list. A true Derry girl, Serena’s success even led to a cameo on the Channel 4 hit show. An absolute must see show.

From Mammy’s to Daddy’s and also at Oran Mor is David Cross and his hilarious show Worst Daddy in the World. Emmy Award Winner and two-time Grammy Award winner David is a recognisable face and voice from film and TV. An inventive live performer and writer, he is now taking his Worst Daddy in the World Tour worldwide. Expect some top notch stand-up from one of America’s finest.

Serena Terry, Mammy Banter: Socially Needier, Friday 8th September

Oran Mor Theatre, Byres Road

W: ticketweb.uk and search for Serena Terry

David Cross, Worst Daddy in the World, Thursday 14th September

Oran Mor Theatre, Byres Road

W: oran-mor.co.uk/events/david-crossworst-daddy-in-the-world

Top for Halloween Horror

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… well in our family anyway! The annual family Halloween party planning and costume competitiveness begins on Oct 1st each year amongst my weird but wonderful relations.

West End wise, how about a Murder Mystery Supper Club at Garnethill’s seasonally spooky

Singl End? The three course dinner may leave a bitter taste in your mouth, if a malevolent murder takes place right in front of the dinner guests. It’s time for you to play detective, gather the evidence and get to the bottom of these deadly dealings!

If that all sounds a little too immersive, what about a trip along to Websters on Halloween night as they are Doing The Dead? The award-winning Northern Comedy Theatre bring a hilarious dark comedy to Great Western Road. With ghostly goings on at the Felching Village Spiritual Circle, was it a great idea for the members to connect with those who have passed over? Hell hath no fury like a spirit scorned, so sit back and watch the mayhem erupt in this great production, starring Coronation Street’s Steven Arnold.

Murder Mystery Supper Club

Friday 20th October

Singl End, Garnethill

W: eventbrite.hk/e/murder-mysterysupper-club-tickets

Doing The Dead

Tuesday 31st October

Websters Theatre, Great Western Road

W: webstersglasgow.com

OTHER DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

Glasgow Americana Festival

Wednesday 4th – Sunday 8th Oct

Various Venues

W: glasgowamericana.com

Lupe Pinto’s Chili-o-Roonie Chili Cook

Off Sat 9th September various venues

FB: Lupe Pintos

The Dog Lovers Show Glasgow

Sat 9th – Sun 10th September

SEC

W: thedogloversshow.co.uk

This Is The Greatest Show!

We Love Lunch is drawing back the curtain for an afternoon at the musicals with host Edward Reid in aid of Spina Bifida

Hydrocephalus Scotland!

WORDS ISLA MCGRAW

Specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) is treating ladies to their annual fundraising Lunch ‘We Love Lunch’ at the Hilton Glasgow on Sunday 8th October.

SBH Scotland, a charitable organisation created by parents for parents and their children, was founded in 1965 by a small group of enthusiastic parents who each had a child with spina bifida. In order to address the needs of their children who had varying degrees of disability, it was absolutely paramount that a national organisation should be formed to speak with one voice and to advocate for those needs from a perspective of personal knowledge and understanding.

With this at the core of everything the charity does, We Love Lunch is returning for its 16th year becoming a must attend event for the ladies of Glasgow and tickets are on sale now!

From the first lunch held in St Andrews with 100 women, to a live virtual Sunday Night Social during COVID-19, this event has been running consistently after Clare Cogan Turner, head of marketing and communications, thought up the idea 16 years ago. As the organisation has grown over the years, this day out has become a major date in their diary.

Back by popular demand, the afternoon of fizz, fun and games will be hosted by popular Glasgow entertainer and radio presenter Edward Reid who has been involved with SBH long before his time on Britain’s Got Talent and remains a much-loved performer among the ladies every year. But it doesn’t stop there, GPRO will also be performing, and Gina McKie will add her talent and sparkle to the annual event hosting the auction.

After the success of last year’s 80s inspired theme, this year guests are being asked to have jazz hands at the ready as SBH Scotland’s own Greatest Showman, Edward Reid, and his guests take you to an unforgettable afternoon at the musicals.

The entertainment will be complemented by a variety of fundraising games and auctions with prizes ranging from concert packages to a diamond bracelet worth thousands of pounds.

Over 350 guests join in annually and put the fun into fundraising. At the heart of this event all guests know that their donations go directly towards SBH Scotland’s vital support for families in Glasgow and across the country.

Deborah Roe, fundraising director at SBH Scotland said, ‘This year we have to raise £1.5 million to provide a dedicated service for children, young people and adults affected by the life long, complex disabilities of spina bifida and / or hydrocephalus. As the cost of living crisis worsens, our families rely on us more for financial information, personal support and counselling. We rely on fundraising to continue and are so grateful to the lovely ladies who join us every year to make this glittering event a fundraising triumph.

‘If you like sharing a great afternoon of entertainment with your friends and family then I would ask you to go online and book your tickets now – you’ll not be disappointed and you’ll be helping a longstanding rare conditions charity support families when they need it the most.’

SBH Scotland’s We Love Lunch will be taking place on Sunday 8th October and tickets can be purchased online now at sbhscotland.org.uk/lunch or by emailing fundraising@sbhscotland.org. uk. Alternatively prize donations and sponsors are always welcome.

Joe Walker’s Flooring, Chisholm Hunter, and Make Believe Events will be sponsoring this year’s We Love Lunch.

To find out how your support will make a difference please head on over to their website at sbhscotland.org.uk or call on 03455 211 600.

But What Can I Do?

by Alastair Campbell

BY BRIAN TOAL

WESTENDER’s COVER TO COVER

Alistair Campbell needs no introduction. His very name is synonymous with spin, Malcolm Tucker and New Labour. However, love him or loathe him, you must acknowledge that when it comes to how politics works and how we can make politics work better, he’s the man to ask.

In fact, he’s been asked so many times how people can get involved and how they can change the system, he decided to write a book about it, and here we are.

My partner and I went to see him at the ‘Aye, Write’ Festival in town, and he was thoroughly entertaining whilst making a number of salient points – just like this book. He was promoting the book and happily pointed out that it was number one on the Times bestseller list, despite their fairly negative review of the book, much to his delight and their chagrin, I’m sure.

It’s a book of two halves, unsurprisingly for an avid Burnley fan. The first half focuses on why it all went wrong and the second half on how we can help to fix it. He apologises in advance for the negative first half but explains its necessity in providing context for how we’ve got to this parlous state culminating in Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Donald Trump –an unholy trinity indeed. There is a chapter on polarisation and how the right has used this as an effective election and referendum strategy.

The Brexiteers should never have won, we should never have left Europe, and Johnson and Truss should never have accumulated enough support to lead their party. Campbell also details the rise of the populists like Trump who manipulate, lie and say whatever is necessary to get your vote. Sadopopulism was a term I’d never heard before: voting for someone who is actually going to make your life worse. We are also told about post-truth and outright lying and how this seems to have become par for the course (Trump joke). We are warned about the perils of disengagement and how fascism thrives on voter apathy.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. The second half of the book encourages us to resist cynicism and become more resilient and to persevere – or persevilient, as Campbell coins it. He’s hoping this neologism will be credited to him post-mortem. It sums up the qualities required for anyone considering going into politics. He gives practical advice towards the end of the book about how to start making a difference, who to contact, how to present yourself etc. Whether a future Prime Minister or activist in the background, this book is inspiring and absolutely necessary in these dark political times.

Trespasses

by Louise Kennedy

Kennedy was a chef on the outskirts of Belfast until her forties and had previously released a collection of short stories entitled ‘The End of the World is a Cul-de-Sac’. This is her debut novel and although set in Northern Ireland in the 70s at the height of ‘The Troubles’, and although it involves love ‘across the barricades’, that’s where convention ends. Yes, these tropes have been dealt with skilfully by many writers from Bernard MacLaverty to Colm Toibin. However, I can’t remember reading such a visceral account which left me so moved and shocked.

Kennedy’s previous life as a chef has left her with an eye for detail, and some of her descriptions almost jump off the page in terms of their sensory intensity.

The love affair is depicted in detail – not prurient or salacious – but tender as well as the more mundane details of an illicit affair. Cushla is a Catholic primary school teacher who also works behind the bar in her brother’s pub. There she meets Michael, a Protestant lawyer who defends Catholics in a system which is set up to damn them.

Michael is married, and so when the affair begins, the odds against its longterm success are incredibly long. Cushla’s life needs no further complications as her involvement with the family of her favourite pupil leads to her being censured by the authorities and shunned by her family. The denouement is surprising and powerful in equal measure. A highly enjoyable debut.

Many people have written about Bible John, some well and others badly. There have been TV documentaries and a plethora of books. The author has read and watched all of them with their revolving cast of characters of ex-police and talking heads. So why write a new book, given the swathe of previously published ‘exhaustive’ or ‘definitive’ accounts of the ‘Bible John’ killings? Because this is not really a book about Bible John, it’s a book about the obsession with Bible John.

Why did his legend cause so much disquiet for so long? Why did he occasion so many inches of tabloid columns and documentaries, becoming the obsession of so many true crime writers, police and journalists since the murders in the late 60s? Because he could have been anybody, and they could have been you.

The murders of Patricia Docker, Jemima MacDonald and Helen Puttock have been almost lost in the glare of the main suspects – John McInnes and Peter Tobin. The author is at pains to remind us that this book is not intended to get to the bottom of the grisly crimes or to pin the blame squarely on one perpetrator or many – he admits that we will probably never know. Instead, the purpose of the book is to look into why we as a nation have been fascinated by these crimes. Bible John captured the mood and gave a name to the anxieties rippling through our city.

We All Go Into The Dark

by Francisco Garcia

Parkinson’s Disease

Come and join our Weekly Specialist PD Classes in Milngavie

Ihave some great news for all of my regular readers… our in person Parkinson’s Disease Specialist exercises classes are in full swing and have been a terrific hit!

Classes run every Tuesday at 10.30 am in Milngavie and are led by my PD Specialist Physio Team to help you get moving and working hard the right Neuro Active way with your PD. We are getting terrific feedback from those attending, letting us know that they are getting much more out of the class than trying to do it themselves, or following along to pre-recorded online videos.

Not only do we have people local to East Dunbartonshire coming along, but we have people coming from as far afield as Newton Mearns and Alexandria. The convenient location also means that if you are getting a lift from friends and family, then they will be able to go to a nearby café and get some down time, or enjoy some retail therapy in Milngavie town centre.

You should come along and take part –it’s now easier and more convenient than ever to get the best support for your life with PD.

Find out more and register to come along. Call us on 0141 530 2092 or email enquiries@simpsonphysio.co.uk

If you are interested in working with us here at Simpson Physiotherapy (Glasgow’s only PD Warrior Licenced Practice) I want to let you know about the range of benefits you will receive:

P A bespoke and individually tailored therapy programme to suit you and your life with PD and the support of a dedicated team to help

P Access to our members area using our Simpson Physio App

P Access to the official PD Warrior online 10 week challenge

P FREE access to our Face to Face and online PD Exercise Classes – helping you get neuro active in the most convenient way possible for you.

P FREE access to our Online Qigong class, which is a terrific way of improving balance and mobility

P FREE access to our online General Exercise Class run by our Neuro Strength and Stretch Coach

Simpson Physiotherapy 0141 530 2092

simpsonphysio.co.uk

P Easy and early access to specialists who can help fix issues before they become long term problems.

Fraser Simpson MSc, Chartered Physiotherapist

A cosy, yet stylish knit, some comfortable wellies for a paddle, autumn is a brilliant time for being by the opal sea or a breath-taking loch. Combine that with, say a gorgeous overnight stay with some sumptuous grub? And you have an…

G Autumn Staycation by the Water

osh, we are a nation who love to moan about the weather. And, yes, we have more than enough reason to do so. But I often find that in September and October, it’s a glorious time to be outside, to take a break away. The sun may set earlier each night, but often the sunsets are golden, amber and accompanied by the heady scents of autumn that linger in the still evening air. Taking a short break away in autumn sets us up for the less-so-enticing long winter nights. And where better to watch those sunsets and breathe in that awesome autumn air? By the water! Westender has picked its very favourite staycation destinations for a perfect autumn adventure.

THE DOLPHIN INN, DUNBAR

30 miles from Edinburgh, Dunbar on the east coast is a fantastic base for those seeking adventure on the rugged North Sea. Belhaven beach is one of the best beaches in Scotland to learn how to surf. Paddle boarding has become a popular activity in the past few years and paddling with the seals in Dunbar harbour is a beautiful experience. The perfect accommodation to explore the area is the appropriately named Dolphin Inn. Situated in the centre of the town, this boutique hostel has a quirky vintage vibe. It’s a stone’s throw from the beach and has everything needed for an active, self-catering holiday. Bedrooms are located on the two upper floors of the hostel, whilst the ground floor has a dining area and kitchen for residents to use. Outside there is a fabulous sun terrace and area for storing surf boards, bikes etc. and with a laundry and drying room, there’s no excuse for not dipping your toe in the sea! The Dolphin Inn is very family friendly, a great place for group holidays and most importantly, is dog friendly! Dunbar here we come.

The Dolphin Inn, Dunbar w: dolphindunbar.com

WORDS TRACY MUKHERJEE

LOCH TAY HIGHLAND LODGES

On the shores of Loch Tay, sits Loch Tay Highland lodges. Nestled into the stunning central highlands in Perthshire, the lodges have a Scandinavian vibe to them. This break is perfect for families with so many attractions on your doorstep. Loch Tay boat safaris, Nae Limits Outdoor Activities as well as the fabulous Aunchingarrich Wildlife Centre less than an hour away. Onsite at Loch Tay Highland Lodges there’s archery, guided canoe tours and for those more adventurous – river tubing!

Once you return to the lodge for the day, visitors are in for a treat. Each lodge has a private patio with spectacular elevated views over Loch Tay and Ben Lawers mountain. Some of the cabin accomodation also feature private hot tubs. Other accomodation at Loch Tay include stays in Highland Vacations’ exclusive houses. The spectacular Mill House sleeps groups of eight and is an architect’s dream. The main living area is double height, with stunning views over the Perthshire countryside. The wrap around deck outside overlooks waterfalls and the bubbling burn that sits aside the property. And of course, there’s a hot tub sitting amounts the treetops! For a lochs and glens get away, Loch Tay Highland Lodges ticks all the boxes.

Loch Tay Highland Lodges

w: lochtay-vacations.co.uk

LOCH RANNOCH HOTEL ESTATE & SPA

Okay, we’ve covered the kids autumn break. Now it’s time for some you-time.

Loch Rannoch Hotel Estate & Spa is set in 250 acres on the banks of the majestic Loch Rannoch. It looks directly onto the iconic Schiehallion munro. This elegant four star hotel, which is perfectly situated for outdoor activities such as sailing, kayaking and wild swimming, is also perfectly situated for some pretty perfect down time. With an indoor pool, sauna and steam room, the ESPA spa has a treatment list to relax even the busiest of Westender minds. And of course no autumn break is complete without a cosy fireside tipple before a sumptuous dinner.

The Estate Drawing Room and Whisky Bar is the perfect venue to nestle into a sofa for a pre-dinner cocktail. And with not two but three restaurants on-site to choose from, the only decisions to make are which will be for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Accommodation comprises of Heritage rooms in the original Victorian hunting lodge or Contemporary rooms in the new wing. If you are going all out, consider the Rannoch Suite with private balcony, an enormous four poster bed and a Victorian fireplace.

All in all, can there be a better autumn trip than with glorious loch-side activities and views, followed by a luxury hotel and spa stay? I think not…

Loch Rannoch Hotel Estate & Spa

w: lochrannochhotel.com

ISLE OF BARRA BEACH HOTEL

Next, the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel. Yes, on Barra. Where the plane lands on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

For those of us whose spiritual place is by the sea (absolutely me) this is on all of our bucket lists.

Barra. Now, to me, this is a staycation by the sea. This perfect, tranquil setting offers open sea views to the North Atlantic Ocean. It offers the sound of the waves lulling you to sleep. Outdoor pursuits? Oh, watching dolphins leap, sea otters feeding, wild eagles hunting. Crystal clear rock pools to explore, opal water to immerse into. The Isle of Barra to many is the poster child that epitomises a Scottish Hebridean Island. White, empty beaches, azure blue waters. Ahhh…

Accommodation at the hotel are twins and doubles as well as a fabulous self contained Bolt Hole, perfect for families and right on the beach. In the hotel the upper deck dining room is where you’ll enjoy your breakfast looking out onto the sea.

There is also the Blue Bar lounge bar and patio where you can enjoy a glass of something fabby whilst watching that golden autumn sunset.

This is a staycation of blissful simplicity, yet, probably the most outstanding.

Isle Of Barra Beach Hotel

w: isleofbarrahotel.co.uk

COORIE RETREATS, PORTPATRICK

Last but by no means least, new kid on the block Coorie Retreats are set to make a splash (get it) in the Glamping Scene. This luxury geo-dome glamping acommodation is set in the gorgeous little village of Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway. This location has it all –countryside, lochs, hillside and coast. This is my kinda camping. The luxury glamping site combines all that’s fabulous about sleeping outdoors with actually being comfortable and warm!

During your stay you’ll receive a luxury hamper full of hand picked local produce, which you can sample whilst lazing in your private wood fired automated hot tub. Oh, there’s also a projector screen to watch movies whilst in the tub.

Afterwards pop on your complimentary bath robe and slippers and sit down with a glass of bubbles beside the crackling fire-pit. When it’s time for bedlingtons, no need to trek to the communal toilet block to brush those teeth. Each glamping pod has en-suite facilities! Yip, that’s right I said en-suite. No tripping over guy-ropes in the middle of the night and returning to the tent

freezing and with skint knees! A little stroll to the facilities in your pod will see you super cosy as your geo-pod also has… under floor heating.

Yes, of course it’s not camping. It’s glamping. And it’s a whole lot of fun!

Coorie Retreats, Portpatrick w: coorieretreats.co.uk

Round Portpatrick with Pocket Mountains Books

Distance 11 km Time 3 hours 30 minutes

Terrain clifftop paths, footpaths and lanes Map OS Explorer 309 Access parking along the harbourside; buses from Stranraer

Picture-perfect Portpatrick has ruined many an entrepreneur who tried, and failed, to create a port here and tap into the shortest crossing to Ireland. Today it’s a leisurely place – a pint of the local ale, an ice cream on the prom – though the harbour is still used, notably for the annual Lifeboat Festival. Portpatrick is also the start point of the 344km coast to coast Southern Upland Way (SUW).

From the harbourfront, head towards the RNLI lifeboat station, stopping to peruse the SUW information board before climbing the cliff, complete with snippets of local geological history carved into the steps.

At the top pause and survey the scene below, with its tiny harbour of bobbing boats and, even on the finest day, crashing waves. Although a port here was deemed essential for the lucrative cattle-droving trade from Ireland, the frequent westerly gales made its approach treacherous and ultimately the calmer waters of nearby Loch Ryan proved more feasible.

Go left at the lane around the golf course and along the clifftop, which makes for vertiginous but stunning walking with arguably some of the finest vistas in Galloway. Thousands of herring gulls and fulmars jostle and cry for prime spots on the precarious ledges, while out at sea sleek gannets with their pointed wings ‘dipped in black ink’ fish these waters.

Drop down to the inlet at Port Mora, continue over rocks coated in bright lichens and stepping stones lapped at the highest tide, and carry on past the Dropping Cave. The cascading waterfall here was reputedly a ‘kill or cure’ panacea for all manner of ailments, notably for children suffering with whooping cough. We don’t recommend trying it!

Continue along the back of the beach and up over the cliffs before quickly dropping down into Port Kale. The quirky, doubleoctagonal building was the housing for the telegraph cable, laid from here to Ireland in 1852 and in operation until 1983.

Go over the wooden bridge and on around the bay to climb once again the steep cliff face.

Pass over Ouchtriemakain Moor, where owl pellets litter the ground, frogs lay spawn in the boggy areas and birds such as stonechat and wheatear can be seen. Soon Killantringan Lighthouse appears on the horizon. This is historically a treacherous stretch of coast for sailors with some 70 ships wrecked here in the 150 years before the days of GPS.

Killantringan was built in 1900 by D.A. Stevenson of the celebrated family of Scottish lighthouse builders, and also had a clifftop foghorn.

At the lane by the lighthouse turn right and follow it for about 2km up to the B738. Turn right here, leaving the route of the SUW and following the road for another 2km to the second set of wrought-iron gates attached to stone pillars. Turn right through the gates and then almost immediately take the footpath steps on the left to pass along the edge of the wood. At the track by the Glen Walks car park go left, then right at the track fork, signed Portpatrick, dropping down to the main Portpatrick road.

Turn right at the road and follow Main Street back down to the harbour. Time permitting, take a look at ruined St Andrew’s Kirk, tucked away on St Patrick Street. Built in 1629, the round tower is thought to be much older. Once back at the water keep an eye open for black guillemot, with their distinctive red feet, that make the harbour their home.

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pocketmountains.com

SHOP LOCAL...

Autumn’s approaching but we still have memories of the beach. And our beach bodies… but that’s all they are. Memories. It’s time guys…

Get Christmas Party Prepped

Ireally did put the hours in to NOT be self loathing in the holiday snaps. And it paid off! But isn’t it incredible how quickly those hours at the gym, the commitment put in, fades in the face of an exquisite holiday breakfast buffet, made to order omelettes and the dreaded Danish pastry section? 5lbs lost but regained in 10 days. And before I know it, that 5lbs could be half a stone.

Three months till Christmas party season starts. Seems ages doesn’t it? But with September weekend and the kids off at October break, before I know it, it could be six weeks to go till the big ho-ho-ho.

But I’m not sweating it, if you’ll pardon the pun. You see I have a secret. I LOVE my gym. I say gym, but it never feels like hard work. For me, the thought of pounding the running machine again? I actually look forward to it. And weight training? I have the luxury of using state of the art Precor equipment.

And after my workout? Well, it’s just like being back on holiday – a relaxing swim followed by a steam room session. Bliss. What’s your secret you might ask? Well, If I said to you leisure, swimming pool, PURE Spa & Beauty, executive lounge; If I said Hilton, what comes to mind?

It’s back on holiday, right? You’d be wrong. It’s not only my secret, it’s Anderston’s best kept secret too…

Fitness Reimagined…

This is MY kind of exercise – gym membership, pool, spa – repeat! The Hilton’s sumptuous makeover means that, following that oh-so-sublime workout and swim, you really won’t want to rush home. And with one of the memberships offering Executive Lounge access, why would you? Kick back with a coffee and magazine and bask in that post gym/swim/steam room glow. With your parking covered, there really is no rush.

Before you know it, that 5lbs of holiday weight is a dim and distant memory, you’ve enjoyed losing every single pound and Christmas is just around the corner.

For more information on gym membership, the pool and spa facilities visit: hghealthandfitness.com

Glasgow City’s Rise To The Top

Founded in 1998, owned by women, and built for women, Glasgow City Football Club has led the way in overcoming the stigma of women and girls playing football. It’s not been an easy road, but their journey is one of determination, sacrifice and above all, success.

WORDS ISLA MCGRAW

Carol Anne Stewart (Cas) and Laura Montgomery, the club’s co-founders, grew up with the game incorporated in their everyday lives and couldn’t help noticing the resistance they were met with each time they advocated for an all-girls football team throughout their school years.

Cas, a surveyor at the time, and Laura having not long graduated from university studying law, decided it was time to confront this issue head on. Frustrated by the poor standard of football pitches, lack of sponsors, and an unappealing league schedule, the need for improvement in women’s football couldn’t be clearer.

Their love for the sport and their dedication to raising standards, led them to create a professional club now holding 16 League Championship wins. Glasgow City F.C. was promoted into the top flight in its first year after remaining unbeaten in the lower league. Its seventh year marked a milestone when the team won the league, with another 15 wins following that moment. Glasgow City has won the most Premier League titles and the most Scottish Cups in Scotland since 2000.

When Anna Signeul was appointed National Coach of the Scotland women’s team by the Scottish Football Association in 2005, she challenged clubs to provide a better service and to aim higher. Signeul took members from all the top clubs in Glasgow to Sweden on a tour of the highest performing teams and how they operated. On return, the motivation to improve the state of Glasgow’s clubs had never been stronger.

Glasgow City has been at the forefront of vital change for the sport, pushing standards forward in the game by forcing the industry to be better and support the well-being as well as the professional standard of female players. The club represents a way for women to do what they want to do and be who they want to be, allowing them to achieve the best in their football careers. First-rate coaches and comprehensive training plans are provided to not only the professional players but to the 250 girls in the Academy to assist in their early career development.

Despite the momentous success of the club over a 25-year period, it hasn’t been an easy road. They have faced financial pressure securing sponsors, a lack of born and bred Scottish players with the desire to stay and play in Scotland, a perception that the Scottish league is not at the professional standard needed to appeal to players worldwide, and a severe shortage of adequate stadium facilities. Speaking to Cas about the challenges that remain today, she said, ‘playing a female sport in a male environment was never going to be easy and it never has been’. She continued ‘there have always been challenges in the game, and we need more transparency around how women’s games are funded and if there are better ways to spend that money’.

When looking at the qualities the first team possess in setting the standard for Glasgow City, look no further than its head coach. Leanne Ross, a Glasgow City legend, has won every league title during her time. Embodying the club’s spirit as well as meeting its standards, Ross sets the tone for players like Hayley Lauder, Lee Gibson, and Joanne Love. Glasgow City players all have one thing in common – their drive. You won’t make it onto the team if you don’t have the drive to win, and the determination and desire to be a better player.

A pivotal moment for the team was when they made it to the quarter finals of the 2015 UEFA Champions League for the first time, going head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in front of 15,000 people. Glasgow City isn’t planning on slowing down any time soon with the ambition to continue competing at the highest level in Scotland and challenging for silverware. The club’s mission is to advance its growth and play an instrumental part in producing some of the best players in Scotland with the hope to professionalise how the league operates. No one can deny the football industry has come a long way, but Glasgow City isn’t stopping there. With a goal to own their very own stadium and training facilities, this club will be able to expand to the next level.

Cas’s advice to women and girls with a love for football is simply to play the sport, ‘If you want to play, go and play. Find a club that suits you and play as much as you can. And always remember to follow your feet’.

Look out for Glasgow City F.C. playing on the 6th of September in the UEFA Champions League.

SPONSOR Glasgow City FC

Various Sponsorship options are available, so please contact Cas for more information on: cas.stewart@glasgowcityfc.co.uk

If you’re starting a new job, have had a salary increase or received a bonus, you need to pay close attention to tax once your salary breaches £100,000 or you could inadvertently end up paying up to 61% Income Tax if you live in Scotland. You’d be forgiven for thinking that tax rate doesn’t exist – and indeed you won’t see it listed on the HMRC website. Nonetheless, a quirk in the tax system that sees the personal allowance for higher earners reduce by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000 creates an effective tax rate of 60% (61% in Scotland) for earnings between £100,000 and £125,140. This tax trap is easy to mitigate, though – by boosting your pension contributions, you can not only bring your taxable income down below £100,000, but also get that additional contribution topped up by 40% or 41% tax relief and, potentially, employer contributions.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds selected and may fall as well as rise. You may get back less than the amount invested.

The levels and bases of taxation, and reliefs from taxation, can change at any time and are dependent on individual circumstances. Any tax relief over the basic rate is claimed via your annual tax return.

Legal Matters

A Whole Allotment Of Love

Gardening is (apparently) the new Rock ‘n’ Roll. If, however you don’t have your own garden, you can rent one. Enter the allotment. These are every bit as popular and sought after now as they always have been, although perhaps now more as a hobby than a necessity.

The provision and regulation of allotments in Scotland started in the late 19th Century but really took off after the Great War, with several Acts passed between 1892 and 1950. Looking at them now, these Acts appear quaint, but they provide a glimpse of what it took to feed yourself and your family at the time.

NOTE: This material is for information purposes only and does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us. You should not rely upon it in making any decisions or taking or refraining from taking any action. If you would like us to advise you on any of the matters covered in this material, please contact Joyce Moss: joycem@mitchells-roberton.co.uk

However, the Acts were also confusing and contradictory. Part 9 of the Community Empowerment Scotland Act (2015) now contains the relevant law in one neat package, but here’s some grass roots points to consider:

P gardening provides relaxation and exercise as well as fresh produce;

P you will need to maintain your allotment (mind your back) and you could lose it (the allotment) if you don’t;

P rent must be paid promptly;

P you can’t trade from the allotment;

P bonfires and livestock (if permitted at all) will have specific regulations so make sure you check your tenancy agreement and comply with it;

P access may not be great – make sure your allotment suits you and your circumstances;

P don’t take on more than you can manage; and

Mitchells Roberton Solicitors George House, 36 North Hanover Street 0141 552 3422

mitchells-roberton.co.uk

P dig it!

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness… so said Keats in his ‘Ode to Autumn’ some 200 years ago.The time of harvest and vibrant colours especially in our gardens. So this edition, TRACY MUKHERJEE takes a look at…

Autumn’s Glorious Garden

In the latter end of the year, isn’t it funny how we tend to think that our garden jobs are coming to an end. Sure, the growing period may well be over, but in terms of what’s still to be tended to before the onset of winter, there are an abundance of tasks to complete. Westender speaks to Martin McCarron of West End Garden Centre on Peel Street to get the best advice on what needs doing in your amber autumn garden.

My tiny little garden is my absolute sanctuary here in the West End. When the kids are squabbling, the TV is blaring and the possibility of some quiet time is simply impossible, it’s into that little green space I head.

Autumn in the garden is a mixed bag. It’s harvesting time so produce should be aplenty and as for autumn jobs, there is tons to do to prepare for winter and the spring ahead.

SEPTEMBER SONG

September can still be reasonably warm. We can still have some fabulous colour in our garden through the autumn months. We even have certain plants blooming twice. Martin says, ‘Most summer bedding plants should still have colour on them (providing they have been getting deadheaded and looked after) right through until the first frosts, so September can be fantastic with just summer bedding. However at this time things start to move onto foliage colour / berries as autumn approaches. Some of my favourites at that time of year include skimmia golden globe and leucothoe curly red.’

Certainly, autumn can be incredible to watch the colours changing in your garden. It’s my favourite time of the year to watch my stunning Japanese Maple turn from it’s summer foliage of plum leaves to a burning, vibrant red come September / October.

HARVEST TIME

As well as our plants and flowers, autumn also brings harvest. What does Martin advise regarding when to pick and when to leave a little longer?

‘In September there is a lot to harvest including several fruit and veg. The most prolific fruits tend to be apples and pears. A good tip to determine if your apples or pears are ripe, simply cup it in the palm of your hand and give it a small twist. The apple should come away easily. If it doesn’t they are not quite there.

You should also have (maincrop) potatoes, runner beans and onions from your veg patch.’

Remember that fallen fruit can be put out for birds and as the weather deteriorates we need to ensure our feathered friends have food. Keeping birds in your garden is an easy way to keep away garden pests, so we should always make sure our bird tables and trees have fat balls and seeds in plentiful supply when they need it through the colder months.

GIVE THAT GARDEN A TIDY

In terms of tidying and preparing your plants for blooming next year, it’s time to remove dead plant remains from around the garden. Your borders, vegetable patches and final weeding can top up your compost bin contents.

Next it’s time to get raking. Our street is lined with enormous sycamores. By early October my little garden is a-wash with fallen leaves. Raking those leaves up not only tidies the garden but ensures that any little plants such as alpines which don’t like damp conditions, are protected from damp leaves decaying on them.

Moving onto your containers and pots, move them under cover if possible or inside a greenhouse. If this isn’t possible, insulate the container and cover to protect from frost. It’s really important to do this in case a sudden frost occurs. A pleasant and warm autumn day can easily lead to a clear cold night where an unexpected frost can strike. I learned this to my peril a few years ago and lost a lovely olive tree I had brought on from a young shrub. There is no need to buy specific plant insulation – fleece, newspapers, blankets can all be used to keep our plants warm over winter.

LET’S GO PLANTING

The garden is tidy, the produce picked, the plants protected. Although winter is approaching, autumn is the time to plant spring bulbs of course. What does Martin advise going into the soil at this time of year for spring blooming?

Japanese maple

‘Autumn is a fantastic time to plant in the garden, traditionally this was when most planting was carried out. Daffodils, tulips, bluebells to name a few bulbs which can be planted that will give you an incredible show of colour in spring. The key is to make sure and get them planted before the frosts start. Then sit back and wait till March/April for them to poke through the soil and brighten up your spring.’

INSIDE COLOUR

I enjoy autumn in the garden almost as much as I enjoy spring. But there comes a point when nature takes over and the colour and light begins to fade. Can we then look to our inside plants for some joy? What late bloomers that can give a little bit of colour indoors as the darker nights arrive?

Martin says ‘My favourite house plant in autumn to give a show of colour is cyclamen persicum. Cyclamen flowers can be frilly or plain and come in a range of shades of red, pink and white. If you keep deadheading them they will flower all the way through winter until spring of the following year giving amazing value for money. Peace lilies usually flower in spring and their white hooded bracts can last around a month.

You may see some flowers in the autumn months as well, and you just need to deadhead them when they’re past their best.’

Autumn in the garden for me is often the calmest time of the year; a time of reflection, to watch the colours and light change, a time to breathe out. ‘You are closer to God in the garden, than anywhere else on earth’. How very true.

westendgardencentre.com

THIS IMAGE: leucothoe curly red LEFT: skimmia japonica

off tidy ups & garden make overs

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Homes & Interiors

© Niki Jones

layering up

by Lisa Trainer, Red Door Interiors

As everything slowly starts to fall asleep for the winter, temperatures become colder and days shorter, it is time to draw the curtains, light the fire and ‘coorie’ in.

When transitioning into autumn, our homes should naturally evoke a sense of warmth, contentment and comfort and there is no better approach than the Scandinavian concept of Hygge to create this.

After a wonderful visit to Copenhagen this year, I was particularly influenced by the synergy of outstanding design style and the general quality of everyday life. Introduced to improve our day to day living in beautiful, practical ways, Scandinavian interiors, products and architecture has led the way in design trends and influences worldwide for decades.

Hygge (pronounced hoogah) is a combined Norwegian and Danish word which in essence means togetherness, harmony, gratitude, and protection from the outside world. Reflecting the submersive culture of a country with strong values of equality, sustainability and an overwhelming sense for the well being of everybody, it is simple.

Void of mess, clutter and stress it is important to consider not just style and functionality but also balance, atmosphere and feelings - a place where you can be motivated, inspired, calm and safe.

This concept plays an integral part in being ‘at home’ and can be achieved and even adapted right here!

In contrast to the bold colourful brights of spring and summer, choose more subtle neutrals for visual and sensory comfort. Create calm by colour drenching using one colour on all surfaces including walls, ceilings and woodwork and focus on the impact of natural light. If redecorating or repainting your walls is perhaps too big a change, try this with soft furnishings, fabrics and accessories instead. Mix natural materials, textures and tones to add interest and layers: change cushion covers, lay down a selection of rugs and compliment this with feature throws over sofas and armchairs in different natural, tactile materials like wool and cashmere as opposed to synthetics for durability and their natural heat regulating qualities and sustainability. Make that special place to sit for morning coffee on a cold frosty morning, or warming glass of red wine in the evenings with everything that you love close at hand.

Colour can have a huge impact on how we feel so be guided by the influence of our natural environment to reflect your personality, especially at this time of year.

Homes & Interiors

Diluted tones and strengths of harvest reds, oranges, golds and leafy greens all work in harmony with a small injection of darker accents like black or brown for added depth and focus.

Candlelight can really set the mood and different scents can recall special memories. Autumn’s bountiful season of berries, branches, foliage and fruit will light and fragrance any space with warmth and comfort. Clove, cinnamon, sweet patchouli and bergamot are all evocative and rich and will immediately fi ll the air with aromatic scents to lift your spirits, calm your mind and help you prepare for the long winter months ahead.

It is time to unwind and take things at a slower pace to celebrate the small joys of life in this chaotic world we live in. Good quality chocolate, your favourite tea in Granny’s old teapot, a book, woolly socks, a warm jumper, good conversation, family and friends are quintessential in captivating the essence of this fundamentally simple lifestyle.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Awarding winning Glasgow based chocolatier Bare Bones sell an incredible collection of pure, delicious and ethical chocolate and hot chocolate. Available at Hoos hoosglasgow.co.uk ; Niki Jones optical cushion 50 x 50cm in ochre and natural linen £100 niki-jones.co.uk ; Cedar wood and log fire scented soy candle by Shearer Candles, with top notes of Bergamot warmed by gentle sandalwood and patchouli evoking memories of autumnal walks and roaring log fires £24 shearer-candles.com

There is something wonderful about leaning in to this new season despite the challenges of our weather and other outside influences, so embrace the changes it brings to light, colour, temperature and time to enjoy life’s quieter pleasures. Savour ‘being in the moment’ and lets learn from our Nordic neighbours.

reddoorinteriors.co.uk

Homes & Interiors

Mid-Century Modern? Art Deco? Retro?

What's your interior style?

by Anne Marie Hillan

So I admit it. I am a little interiors obsessed. Since retirement interiors have definitely become my hobby, my 'thing'. Now I am no longer knocking down walls or building extensions I am enthusiastically redecorating with wonderful colours, and styling and faffing with vases, cushions, accessories and flowers – as well as up-cycling everything I can.

And as part of my obsession I follow designers and influencers on Instagram and listen to podcasts about interior design. And as I decorate and style my own home I wonder at my style – do I have one and if I do is there a name for it?

So giving that a bit of thought and discussing only the interior styles I actually understand, as some are still a mystery to me, I know for defi nite it's not minimalism. Defi nitely not. There's far too much stuff in my house

© Forrest Furnishing

It's not Coastal (not in the West End of Glasgow but I do live in the perpetual hope of a lottery win allowing me to buy my house by the sea!). Rustic is similarly not me in my city dwelling. Art Deco I really like. Reasonable given that I live in the birthplace of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Mid-century modern –well, I love love love the furniture style with its sleek lines and great shapes so I am defi nitely a bit of that. And Maximalism – I used to think was all a bit too much but if you follow me on Instagram at @lock.downhouse then my darker wall colours with my flowers, plants, prints and accessories is defi nitely heading towards the maximalist – which is a bit of a surprise to me.

So with that in mind what can I recommend on my Westender Shopping List for Autumn 2023? Well in the West End there are so many shops with delightful items to cater for all interiors styles. With a wealth of antique dealers and retro shops selling mid-century modern furniture you can be lucky enough to pick up Parker Knoll chairs and Ercol sideboards that can be revamped and reupholstered. But these amazing furniture makers are still in business and Forrest Furnishing has a full range of mid-century modern style sideboards and sofas that would be fantastic in any home. The Nancy Smillie Shop also has beautiful retro style cabinets. The revival of the vinyl record has meant the return of mid-century style storage for your records making your vinyl collection not just a nostalgic listen but also an attractive feature.

To style up your room – and give it that individual look – give some thought to retro vases with their abundance of colour. Trove on Dumbarton Road is literally what it's says, an absolute treasure trove of retro style with original and reproduction retro vases, tea towels and cushions, furniture, prints and ceramics. So worth a visit.

And if you are on Dumbarton Road do not – and I really mean do not – leave without visiting Found. This shop has the most eclectic mix of retro, mid-century, eccentric and retro items and some that are just pure retro Glasgow! Look at these fabulous Glasgow bricks (opposite) in all their colours and the Glasgow tramway signs. I just loved this shop. I bought one brick but I am going back for more!

I paired my mustard yellow Glasgow Brick with bespoke art work from Damian Henry.

Damian is a West End based artist who will do you an incredible bespoke portrait of your home. Damian's extensive range of art work is also for sale at the Nancy Smillie Shop and from the artist direct. This painting is of my home! And don't the painting and the Brick vase just pop against my Green Smoke Wall!

As an alternative to a painting of your own home Quirq Glasgow stocks a fantastic range of Glasgow prints by Adrian McMurchie. My favourite is his take on the West End institution that is the Art Deco University Cafe. Retro and Glasgow all in one print and all for the amazing price of £38.

Whatever your style, designers emphasise the importance of making your style your own. Telling the story of you life, your interests, your family in your choices of colour, art and accessories. Arrange your items with different heights, colours and textures to make it interesting – and buy flowers and plants!

So what is my style? Well turns out that's easy. I am a colour loving Glaswegian who is almost a maximalist, with a dash of midcentury modern, a hint of art deco and a little retro thrown in! I wonder what your style is?

Follow Anne Marie on Insta @lock.dowmhouse

Homes & Interiors

Retro Colour With Glasgow Style

Injecting some colour and personal style into your home can feel a wee bit scary! But you can start with individual colourful and interesting items that can suit more than one room. You can then find the perfect spot in your home. Then every so often switch it up, change it round, make it more interesting. According to the experts grey is gone, colour is back! So go on – get out to the West End shops and pick yourself up some retro or Glasgow style. There's something for everyone and every budget.

Damian Henry, Contact Damian on Instagram @damian.henry.prints or at damianhenry.com

Found, 583 Dumbarton Road, 0141 357 2579, foundglasgow.com

Quirq, 49 Hyndland Street, 0141 357 2208

The Nancy Smillie Shop, 53 Cresswell Lane, 0141 334 4240, thenancysmillieshop.com

Trove, 557A Dumbarton Road, 0141 357 0474, troveglasgow.co.uk

A Portrait of Your Home, framed portraits £250, Damian Henry

Retro Vinyl Storage Unit, £275, The Nancy Smillie Shop

Art Deco University Cafe (unframed) print, £24, Quirq

Assorted Retro Vases, from £20, Trove

Glasgow Bricks in 7 Colours, £38, Found

The Wee Kitchen Shop

Specialising In Beautiful Shaker Kitchens

When Ann and Iain moved from Broomhill to Hyndland, there was no question who they’d engage to renovate their new ‘old’ kitchen – Greg and his team at The Wee Kitchen Shop.

Their decision rested on the fact that they’d already invested in a Wee Kitchen from Greg at their Broomhill home. ‘We could see, looking ahead, that living in a three storey house would become an issue so we moved to a first floor property in Hyndland before that happened,’ explains Ann. ‘Our new kitchen was dated however and we knew straight away that we would ask Greg along again to take a look.

‘The workmanship, and the workmen, that Greg engages are fantastic. It sounds simple but they turn up when they say they will, do an amazing job, then tidy up after themselves. It makes life so much easier.’

Iain and Ann went for custom coloured solid wood Shaker units with pewter knob and cup handles, complimented by a quartz worktop and Karndean flooring.

Ann wanted the sink moved from in front of the window to make space for seating, and a peninsular unit taken out. Greg drew up plans with the new configuration but included

heating within the bench for cosy socialising and lots of deep drawers rather than pull out units. The difference is in how the couple use their new space. ‘It’s all so much more open and sociable now,’ says Ann. ‘There’s space to sit and chat with friends over coffee and scones and we can watch the birds in the nearby trees and park too. It really makes the most of our lovely view.

‘And it sounds simple but the deep drawers are so much easier to use. There’s no more scrambling on hands and knees to see what’s at the back of cupboards, just pull out a drawer and it’s easy to see all your dishes, pots and food laid out and within easy grasp. I’m so glad we returned to Greg and The Wee Kitchen Shop a second time.’

Image © Gregor Reid Photography

Scotland’s Tenancy Rules: Challenges for Landlords and Tenants

As the cost of living crisis continues, landlords and tenants face new challenges. Tenancy rule changes, including rent increase caps and eviction freezes, have had a significant impact.

Ammu Accounting has news to share too! We are continuing to grow by expanding across the city to Giffnock – situated on the Southside between our West End office and our Ayr office. We’re thrilled to welcome the team and clients from the highly respected MCC Accountants to Ammu Accounting. We strongly believe that by bringing together the best of both firms and with our broad range of services and highly skilled professionals we can offer you a tailored service that will greatly benefit you and your finances.

Ammu Chartered Accountants

10 Newton Terrace G3 7PJ

0141 290 0262

8 Miller Road Ayr KA7 2AY 01292 388031

ammu.uk

These ‘temporary’ measures have been extended multiple times; the latest extension proposed until March 2024.

Currently, landlords can only increase rent once a year by up to 3%. Fixed-term tenancies and no-fault evictions have been abolished, increasing stability for tenants. However, overseas tenants without UK credit history are struggling to rent. This is a concern for landlords who rely on international tenants.

Scotland has experienced some of the highest rent increases in the UK. This has created a challenging situation for both landlords and tenants, leading to financial worries for everyone involved.

We advise both landlords and tenants to stay informed about changing rental regulations and to seek professional advice to understand your rights and responsibilities.

As accountants, we understand the importance of managing your finances effectively during challenging times. With the added burden of increased buy-tolet mortgage payments and the ongoing cost of living crisis, it is crucial for landlords and tenants to budget carefully to weather the winter financial challenges.

If you require assistance with your business or personal accounts, contact us today.

Letting Matters

with Western Lettings

What Do Letting Agents Do?

You’re probably thinking - nothing. We lounge around, charge a load of fees, and do nothing. In which case, you’ve been using the wrong agent. If you’d like to visit us and see how we do things, just contact me and book a time. You can be a fly on our wall. A fly who we’d encourage to ask questions and make suggestions. Now I’m wondering how many flies read this! Anyway, that’s not really what I wanted to talk about. It’s more about our role. Letting agent websites are full of promises to maximize returns for their landlords. So, how could we do that? Perhaps we could charge as much rent as someone will pay and do only essential maintenance. I’ve considered this question over many years, and I have an answer. Sort of. What we do at Western Lettings is achieve the best long-term outcome for our clients. We encourage landlords to set their asking rent at a level where there will be sufficient interest so that we can find a good tenant, for example. We keep tenants happy by responding to their requests reasonably and carrying out maintenance promptly. During routine property visits we’re mindful that we’re visiting tenants in their home. They have a right to be untidy, but not to degrade our client’s property.

Then there’s our job as mediators between landlords and tenants, who often have opposing views on how situations should be handled. Although landlords pay our fees, we have a duty to act fairly. We recently parted company with a landlord who was proposing to charge an excessive amount to a tenant who had accidentally caused minor damage to an ancient carpet. She claimed that ‘we weren’t acting in her best interests’. The plain truth is that she was right.

If you have a property to let, please give us a call. We don’t do pushy sales, so you can expect to speak to a friendly and understanding adviser. Alternatively have a trial of our free rental valuation tool by scanning the QR code below.

Western Lettings

Craighall Business Park G4 9XA 0141 357 0436

westernlettings.co.uk

Property Matters

with Walker Wylie Estate Agents

/walkerwyliescotland /walker_wylie

Autumn In Glasgow’s West End

As we head into autumn, Glasgow’s West End property market is bustling. As is typical for this time of year we are seeing many new sellers putting their houses on the market as life settles back into a routine after summer. We expect this busy period to continue up until the Christmas break, as lowering inflation has a positive impact on interest rates, both buyer and seller confidence is high, and the market is moving well.

Don’t Believe Everything You Read

Read the headlines and you would be forgiven for thinking the property market is non-stop doom and gloom. It is well known negative headlines sell and this couldn’t be more pertinent than when it comes to the property market at the moment. Yes, times are more challenging than they have been in the past. But the scaremongering and over exaggeration some media are using to create sensationalist stories is not giving an accurate picture of the housing market just now.

The West End Difference

Particularly in the West End, we are, and have always been, in the privileged position of

having a buoyant market that can absorb the inevitable ups and downs of the economic climate well. We don’t take the worst of the knock-on effects of rising or fluctuating interest rates, and sales tend to stay strong throughout difficult times.

We have been selling homes in the West End of Glasgow for over 20 years, through the dramatic ups and downs of the last two decades, and as a result couldn’t be in a better position to guide you through your home selling journey today. We offer a bespoke service to each client as we understand everyone’s circumstances and priorities are unique to them.

If you are considering selling your home, get in touch. We can give you an up to the minute overview of the West End market right now, as well as a free no obligation valuation should you wish to take the next step towards making your home journey dreams come true.

Give us a call on 0141 404 1333 or email info@walkerwylie.co.uk for a chat.

Walker Wylie Estate Agents

148 Woodlands Road G3 6LF 0141 404 1333 / 07855 952298 walkerwylie.co.uk

Our windows are made from high-quality materials and are built to last. We also offer a wide range of styles and finishes to choose from, so you can find the perfect windows to complement your home’s décor.

Contact us today to learn more about our sash and case windows and to schedule a consultation.