How to solve Glasgow's crisis of confidence

Morning readers — we have a spring in our step this week, even if the seasonal sunshine has done a runner. You’ll have seen we’ve hired a new investigative journalist, Calum Grewar, to join our team, and we’re fair buzzing for him to hit the ground running. Over a few drinks with the man himself last week, our jaw dropped more than once as he shared with us a few stories he hopes to start working up soon. 

Today, we have something a wee bit different in your inboxes, in the form of an op-ed from Moya, in our new semi-regular section ‘The Take’. TLDR: out with the Scottish Cringe and the Glasgow crisis of confidence; in with a city that wears its strengths on its sleeve and stops harking back to the past.  

For all of Glasgow’s interminable disagreements, sub-Reddit bust-ups and public debates, we think the city sometimes lacks a certain type of opinion-led public discourse. And Mondays are a perfect time to get chatting. If there’s a topic you think we ought to wade into, let us know in the comments.

The Take: Moya gives her piece on Glasgow's crisis of confidence

Since moving to Glasgow, one thing has stood out above all else: the level of apologising people do for their city. 

At first you can miss it, because it’s lightly masked by a thin layer of bravado and a puffed chest — especially if an outlander dares to criticise the metropolis. But then the vulnerability shows. Och, it was better before. Aye, the weather’s pish. Nothing works anymore. That’s Glasgow for ye. 

I’ve lived and travelled in quite a few cities and while everyone complains about their backyard, I’ve never experienced the… embarrassment people seem to hold about Glasgow, which simultaneously competes with a fierce pride. If it seems a difficult mix to grapple with as an outsider, I can only imagine what it’s like for people actually experiencing it — an emotional rollercoaster if you will.

I could make a few guesses as to the origins of this particular strain of insecurity. One is surely that being constantly reminded, both by people and the built heritage itself, that the city used to be a lot richer and more prominent on the international stage, will create a bit of an inadequacy complex. That knowledge is only going to sting more knowing the conditions that created it — a bloody, powerful empire — cannot (and obviously, should not) be recreated. 

But even within the British Empire, Glasgow came ‘second’. In the present, that fear seems to crop up more; there’s concerns about being sidelined domestically by Edinburgh, which are then compounded by worries about cross-border marginalisation in the lopsided England/Scotland set up. These fears are most often expressed via slagging off Edinburgh/London, which is a noble pastime and part of a great tradition of regional rivalries, but in Glasgow seems edged with self-doubt, which makes it less fun.  

Even beyond this, there’s a sentiment underpinning the city, that it’s not living up to its potential, that everything’s going wrong. The constant rain becomes pathetic fallacy. 

I think Glasgow is often trapped in a state of comparison: to Edinburgh, to London, to its past self. This is natural. But I think the city could do with a campaign of acceptance. Much is made of the Scots’ crisis of confidence but insecurity — whether personal or collective — often comes from straining to be what you’re not. Glasgow is no longer a stinkingly rich port city that gets its money from the fruits of empire and transatlantic slavery. That’s more than okay. It’s still the economic engine of Scotland — the city centre district alone generates 7% of the national economy. 

Yes, it rains all the time but that’s the climate. It’s lush and green and wet — a “temperate rainforest”. Glasgow has far more geographically in common with Northern European countries like Sweden and Finland than its southern neighbour. The rise of sauna culture shows a shift towards embracing that further. 

There’s lots that can be improved in Glasgow — much like anywhere else — but these things should be considered according to where the city actually is right now, and what it needs, not influenced by unconscious feelings of inferiority and visions of faded glory. Chasing after a lost past is futile. But accepting Glasgow as it is — vibrant, fluid, with incredible municipal spirit — would go a long way to creating a place where fragile swagger becomes robust self-esteem and the city is no longer playing second fiddle to itself.

Stories you might have missed: 

✈️ Loch Lomond seaplanes held up by lack of parts
Last week, customers trying to book with tourism staple Loch Lomond Seaplanes (potentially the last commercial operator of its type), were informed that the company had “ceased trading”. Questions abounded but The Times has the answer: supply chain issues exacerbated by the dire global economic situation might force the company into administration. 

🚧 George Square revamp kicks off 
The long-trailed regeneration of George Square starts today, with hoardings being erected around the space for at least 18 months. The Bell received some recollections from a reader who remembered the original redesign competition and wanted to throw the question back to the public: what do you think of the plans? Yay or nay? 

Read/listen/watch: Dani Garavelli visits the Alasdair Gray Archive

There’s a strong psycho-geographical theme to Garavelli’s piece in the recent issue of the LRB. Although an unsurprising approach to those familiar with Alasdair Gray’s literary and visual work, it had the welcome effect of helping one see familiar sights afresh. Who knew, for instance, that the Whisky Bond, home to the Archive since 2020, is hidden in the top-hand corner of his most famous artwork, Cowcaddens Streetscape? Another point to ponder, more prosaic but of no less import, is that the Archive does not receive core funding, nor does its tireless custodian, Sorcha Dallas, withdraw a salary despite her exhaustive labours. 

We also rec: 

🏗 Clune Park finally succumbs: the first stage of demolishing Port Glasgow’s ghost town begins (we refuse to call it ‘Scotland’s Chernobyl’)

🎹 Russell Leadbetter goes deep on Beggars Opera, the pioneering Glasgow prog-rock band

Catch up and coming up 

• In February, a piece of Glasgow’s history was destroyed — in Stevenston. For last week’s feature, Margaret Taylor tracked down the man who demolished Africa House and found herself surprised by a truth stranger than conspiracy. 
• Days after we interviewed Greens activist, Tristan Grayford, who criticised “nasty and toxic” anonymous briefing to the press, co-leader Patrick Harvie echoed his comments in the Daily Record, calling the practice “anonymous” and “insulting”. You can read our Greens breakdown here.
• Robbie was thinking about masculinity and sandwich philosophy in his Saturday writer’s edition, penned on a cloudless day in Bute. 

And, an update: remember the massive Dalmarnock fly tip covered by Margaret in her piece about the broken promises of the Commonwealth village? Well, good news — shortly after we published our piece, the council moved in and cleared it all. Infamous bathtub and all. 

Just a perfect day 

Every week, one Glasgow resident runs us through their ideal way to spend a day in the city.

Caitlin Arbuckle MacLeod, 28, planner and urban designer at Collective Architecture

DAWN: I'd have a bit of a lie-in with our cats, Momo and Rikku. Then my husband and I would go to Fulton's on Victoria Road. We love a fancy brunch occasionally. But Fulton's is the place in the Southside for a huge no fuss, no frills Scottish fry up, the full works. We’d get a frothy coffee there, and then my ultimate weakness — a bubble tea from Cupp, also on Victoria Road, to give me some energy for training, which is going to be later. So I'd either get a white chocolate matcha with tapioca, or raspberry lemonade with added protein.

MIDDAY: Because it’s my perfect day, I've gotten over my fear of cycling off the South City Way, and I'm able to cycle on roads no problem. The sun is shining, so I'd cycle to Dalmarnock, to Power Club, which is the powerlifting gym that I train at. With the sun out, the shutters would be up at the gym and it’s flooded with sunlight. All the familiar faces I know from the Scottish powerlifting community are there to train alongside me. My coach has programmed in a SBD day. So that stands for squat, bench and deadlift, with minimal accessories, which are supplementary exercises. That's my perfect training day. 

AFTERNOON: We’re going to bend space time a little bit to make everything fit. I’d go back Southside to Cibo. A bowl of their famous rigatoni alla Norcina sausage pasta done in brandy sauce. I recommend that to everyone I bring along to the restaurants. And because it’s my favourite latte in the Southside, I’d get more coffee there. Then I’d wander around my favourite spots. House Party which sadly is closing to move to a larger premises. Also: This Must be the Place; Glasgow Plant Mama; Flowers Vermillion; Barvas & James; Spot. I’d treat myself to a lovely print or some pottery at one of those shops. 

After that for dinner I’d pick up some ingredients from Stalks & Stems. Then we’d go to Kurdish Kobane, a halal butchers for some chicken. Then back to Cibo for specialty ingredients. In amongst this I’m cutting through Queens Park to soak up the lovely sunny atmosphere. I’d probably read in the park if I had time but this is becoming a very full day.  

DUSK: I love cooking for people, that’s one of my favourite things, so I’d be preparing a huge Italian meal, selected from the culinary tomes in my kitchen. Marcella Hazan’s ‘The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking’; the official cookbook of Trattoria Zà Zà in Florence; Harry’s Bar in Venice — these are the key texts. On a previous day I’ll have pored over these and picked out the recipes. This is the sad part — I'd have worked out all the timings and mapped them onto a spreadsheet for maximum efficiency. I’d cook Arancini, a selection of seafood and vegetable fritti and the perfect risotto, either parmesan and asparagus or lobster and crab, if I’m feeling fancy. And my chicken parmesan of course. That would be finished off with tiramisu. Plus plenty of wine, good music and excellent company. 

AFTER HOURS: Winding down, it would be difficult to imagine a perfect day without seeing a film. Some choice stragglers, my husband and I all watch a favourite film of mine. Either Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Spirited Away, depending on the mood. While polishing off the leftovers drinking some herbal tea snuggled up with the cats. Someone might go and get a dessert from What The Fudge  — Kinder Bueno cookie dough is my favourite. 

Unconstructive critique: Real Wan, 10 Clincart Road

Hitherto a recent relocation, the main constraint holding back chef-proprietor Lea Wu was the restaurant’s out-of-the-way location in a poky former sandwich shop. The new Mount Florida digs represent a leap forward, after half a decade in sleepy Cathcart. The new spot has a bright yellow interior, a wood-panelled bar and the welcome glow of lantern lighting, but food remains the focus. But standards have been kicked into a new gear as Wu and her team continue to confidently champion the cuisine of her native Guiyang in southwest China. The bowl of chunky geda noodles, thickly cut into rough ribbons, was the best I’ve had — the aubergines in a rich garlic sauce that numbs and tingles the palate pleasingly. Likewise, boiled dumplings with chinese greens, and a side of shredded Guizhou cucumbers weren’t far off flawless, as was a bowl of wheat noodles with crispy chillis and shiitake — even if a member of our party almost had steam coming out their ears after a few bites. A welcome addition to MoFlo, and Cathcart’s loss. 

Glasgow calendar: Turn your TV watching into debate

A reading group… but for TV? Head down to Glasgow Zine Library this Thursday, from 7pm, to dig into the unique medium of the humble television show. Expect to unpick everything from the political application of TV, to its role in social progress, in a session helmed by film and TV expert, Hannah Granberry. It’s also BYOB. In the spotlight this month is Bob’s Burgers. Totally free.

Other dates for your diary:

🎡 Whirl around on overpriced rides at Glasgow Green
Until 18 April, 12pm - 8pm.

💃 Limber up to the best of house and disco — in the daytime
Scottish House and Disco Festival; 20 April, SWG3, 2pm - 12am. Tickets from £39.55