I often wonder if designer, William Leiper, was taking the mickey when he put forward his plans for…read moreTempleton Carpet Factory back in 1892. Frustrated by a flurry of rejections to his mainstream designs, I like to assume he entered the city chambers as a very grumpy and sarcastic Glaswegian man. Council: "What have you got for us now then?" Leiper: "Whatever the hell you want, it's a carpet factory so why don't we just go ahead and design Doge's Palace in Venice, maybe that will keep you happy." Council: "Hmm, interesting, what colour?" Leiper: "Eh? What d'you mean what colour? Orange, yellow, blue, with multi-coloured turrets and arches, I don't care what effing colour!" And alas, Templeton Carpet Factory was formed. Overlooking Glasgow Green, slightly further along from the People's Palace, this truly bizarre design is one of my favourite buildings in the city. Now operating as a business centre with a small pub situated next door, it has become a tourist attraction in its own right, despite the fact many Glaswegians are criminally unaware of its existence. Good on you William!

Templeton Business Centre is the most bizarre building in the city. Its red sandstone, coloured…read morebrick, and ceramic mosaics makes it look like it should belong in Mumbai rather than Glasgow Green. Dating back to 1899, the building was designed as a carpet mill by William Leiper. The centre is often called "The Doge's Palace" because it resembles the building of that name in Venice.

This is a lovely local hall situated on the Southside or Glasgow near Pollok Estate…read more Mainly used for weddings, dance shows & meetings it was refurbished a few years ago & now looks fab. Slightly 1970s in feel inside but 1847 on the outside. They have one one the few working Wurlitzers in the UK. You know, the organ that can replicate the sound of lots of instruments & is used for silent movies? Also used for the Southside Film Festival & as it's beside Pollokshaws West train station & the no.57 bus stop there's no excuse not to pop along to that.

Although denounced as an expensive white elephant when it first opened, I'm glad that Glasgow has a…read morevenue like the Concert Hall. It's definitely the best large-hall environment for classical music, and it's also pretty good for rock or other amplified concerts too; although it can't compete with the likes of the SECC or the Hydro in staging the larger acts. I think they sometimes over-stretch themselves when trying to stage large ballet productions and the like, as the stage isn't designed to hold a lot of scenery and they just don't have the technical infrastructure that a normal theatre does, but I have to give them full marks for some of the more innovative shows that they have put on here. The biggest and best has to be Celtic Connections, which has grown from a small traditional music gathering intended to bring a bit of relief to dark January winter days, to the world's largest traditional music festival, a truly global phenomenon and a real feather in Scotland's (and Glasgow's) cap. They also use the smaller Strathclyde Suite for smaller shows, events and functions, and often you will find exhibitions or craft fairs taking over the foyers on quiet weekends - the regular Mind, Body & Spirit fairs are popular for example. The architecture of the building is nothing to write home about and is probably best described as 'functional'. Inside it seems very easy to get lost as there are so many different levels and areas to wander about in. It seems very spacious, but when a full house is trying to exit at the end of a performance, suddenly it feels very cramped. Good points - the foyer bar is nice and long so it doesn't get too mobbed. Bad points - There never seems to be enough loos at larger concerts and the interval queues can be lengthy.

I was 100% sure I'd already written this review but there you go, I think I have review amnesia…read more After reading Scott C's review I went back to read what I'd written and *boom* - there was nothing there. Anyway, I'm here now to tell you all about why I think this is a great venue. Mainly, seating. I love sitting down. Too much, if the news has taught me anything. Sitting down is going to kill me, but now I'm the other side of 30 it's my second favourite position after laying down. We went to see Ben Folds perform here and aside from the fact the gig was exceptional, the seats were comfy, well spaced out and generally amazing. We had good seats too - in the main section along the side, and had a great view. The rest of the building is worth a visit, even if you're not going to a performance there. It's a great space, well laid out and easy to navigate. This was my first visit, but I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the upcoming shows now that I know what a great space it is.

As the only civic hall in Shawlands, Langside Halls attracts a great deal of custom, with wedding…read morereceptions often appearing in the car park and ope days for various colleges taking up week long residencies. It is a fairly standard hall: stage for a band or speakers, retaining many original features including the ceramic tiles along the staircase: it even ha an upstairs balcony for the auditorium. It is a versatile space, and I have attended political meetings, parties and yoga classes here: the rates are apparently quite reasonable. There was once a huge public forum event on the regeneration of Shawlands, which was taken up with detailed discussion of the Arcade and the parking problems. It wasn't riveting, but at least everyone got a seat and the sound system was clear. I also attended a day set up by Govanhill's famous "Save Our Pool" campaign. That turned the space into a mixture of political fair and speakers' corner, with groups hiving off to the smaller rooms for intense conversations. It looks as if it would be grand enough for a nice wedding reception, too. It hasn't really taken on the role of a community hub, though: the actual classes that happen here are mysterious and a bit more public information would be helpful. It had a Christmas fair in November and I know about the yoga classes: I've even tried to sign up for a course at Langside College here. It is a well used venue, but could do with an advertising blitz.

Candleriggs Square is the tarmaced area at the corner of Wilson St and Candleriggs. You can't miss…read moreit - it has a huge badminton player mural on the building adjoining it. Since the 2014 Commonwealth Games, this square has been regularly used for public events - and it really works. The Merchant City Festival co-incided with the 2014 Games - as a result, Candleriggs Sq was fully utilised for a couple of months. For everything from food/drink stalls to a fairground, Emirates & Jazz festivals to last weeks roller skating rink. This week, setup is currently underway for the 2015 Merchant City Festival - Candleriggs Sq is once again playing a pivotal role in this. Unfortunately, it's likely that after this year, that'll be it - planning permission has been approved for more student flats (despite plenty of objections - yep, that's a recurring them with Glasgow city Council Planning Dept!). But, for now, check oput their website for full festival details and events: http://www.merchantcityfestival.com/Pages/default.aspx

Situated down what seems like a wee back-road in Uddingston, the Castle Rooms is a function suite…read morefor events hire. It's located right behind the Tunnocks factory. Don't trust your maps, just sneak up the back way! I went here for a friend's 21st, and was really impressed with the function room. It was held in the Mill Suite, which is a downstairs suite with 2 rooms, a coatroom, and bathroom facilities. The main room consists of a bar, a seating/lounge area, and a dance floor with long tables situated at either side. It's a lovely room, very clean, modern, and welcoming. It'd be a lovely place to hold any milestone birthday, engagement party, wedding reception, etc. The prices of drinks at the bar were pretty reasonable, and space to relax or to mingle and chat. The dancefloor is a good size - definitely plenty of room for all your friends' and families' embarrassing dance moves, and all those dance-along favourites like the (heeeey) Macarena! This is definitely the kind of place I'd think of hiring for any big special occasion.

We were here on Sunday for Mother's Day , what a great venue from the staff being very helpful and…read moreattentive, The food was excellent and warm , French martinis were fabulous and the entertainment very good , all in all we had a very good experience:-)) and will be looking out to see what's on here in the future! Well done castle rooms ! Mark Mason .

This really is a strange sort of place - it's inside an office building which means you need to go…read morepast security to get into the building, and you'll get directed to take the lift to level 6. When you arrive, you might be confused (like I was) at where to actually go - there are signs promoting the spa and so I thought that was the hallway I was walking down - thankfully it wasn't and it was actually the restaurant space where I was headed. The restaurant space is very slick and modern but feels like a corporate canteen. I wasn't eating on this visit but they have a set price menu of £7.95 for two courses at lunch time which I assume is from the buffet area. I was in for a meeting and service was fine - they popped over to check on drinks and delivered a jug of water to the table. I found the seats at the high tables really uncomfortable. There is also normal seating though so you could move if you'd ended up at one by accident. 200 St Vincent Street also has a spa (on level 7) and has a number of corporate rooms for hire for presentation and weddings. Like I said, I personally find it a bit of an odd place as it is just so corporate and I can't see the appeal of going here for lunch, but it was perfectly fine for a meeting.

We went here for lunch on a Friday lunchtime and it wasn't what I expected at all. Located in what…read morelooks like an office block, you get whizzed up in the lift to the 6th floor. Lovely tiled floors then lead through to a cafeteria. Hmmmm fine if that's what you are looking for but I this place is marketed as a restaurant and it doesn't feel like one at all. You order and pay at till points up next to food, baked potato ovens etc. and then a number is given to you to stick on a stand on your table. The lunch menu had 4 or 5 main course options and none of them took my fancy (fish & chips, Caesar salad, gnocchi) and I honestly just wanted to leave and head somewhere else for lunch. Then we saw the pizza on the menu - it was under a different section and I'd originally thought it was the desserts - and went for those. At over £11 for a small pizza, they weren't overly offensive but certainly not worth going back for. The waitress who served us was nice and friendly but it was her first day and every question we asked resulted in her checking with someone else. We also noticed that coffees seemed pricey, with lattes listed at £4 on the menu. I did see a few people have afternoon teas, these looked lovely with sandwiches, cakes and scones but I doubt I'll be back to try them out for myself.

Henderson Parish Church was built in 1907 at the start of the London Road, next to the Kilmarnock…read moreWater. It's yet another old building which I regularly walk past on my way to/from town! The architect was the local man Thomas Smellie (1860-1938) and his home, at 46 Portland Road, still retains his architectural studio. He designed many buildings in the town around this time. The minister, as I write, is the Rev. Dr. David W. Lacy. There are always things going on at the church, besides regular services, including meetings of the Guild, the Friendship Club and the Playgroup. The main church, church hall, choir room and count room can all be hired for different events. The car park is at the side take a left turning immediately after the church (driving from town).