Why Glasgow should be on your travel wish list
Scottish sculptor Andy Scott lives argues why the underrated city should be on your travel wish list.
The majesty and emotional complexity of horses inspire the magic hands of Scottish figurative sculptor Andy Scott, whose large-scale works often conjure the equine form. Traditional steel assembly technique dovetails with artistry, as Scott handcrafts galvanised and stainless steel with cast bronze to depict the horse in ways that seem to ripple with energy. This year, his work The Kelpies, two 30m-high steel horse heads towering over the Forth and Clyde Canal in Falkirk, drew more than 10,000 visitors to Scotland’s central lowlands to celebrate the sculpture’s 10th anniversary.
Visitors to the Scenic Rim in Queensland’s rural hinterland this month can share in Scott’s joy of all things equestrian. On June 15-16, the country town of Boonah, one hour’s drive inland from the Gold Coast, is hosting The Clydesdale Spectacular, and Los Angeles-based Scott
is guest of honour at the event, which celebrates the gentle giant of the horse world. The acclaimed sculptor’s 3m-high Clydebuilt artwork welcomes visitors at the entrance to the town, a fitting tribute to the breed that aided settlers there from the 1840s.
Local and international breeders, competitors and spectators will participate in a spectacle of pipe and drum bands, champion breed exhibits, and traditional Scottish games. For travellers with an affection for the draught horse with its fluffy leg “feather”, this is the place to be.
On June 12, Scott is guest speaker at a special pre-event evening ($65 a person), featuring local produce and wine, before taking part in the weekend program.
Why Glasgow is special
“The Glaswegian character is disarmingly friendly; you’re not going to be left on your own for long. Locals have no airs and graces, and a fantastic sense of humour, as exemplified by comedian Billy Connolly. My hometown has a gritty industrial past and is now punching above its weight as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city. Glasgow is brimming with bars, restaurants and cafes. Cafe Gandolfi in Albion St is a favourite of ours; a converted cheese shop with beautiful new stained-glass windows and seafood dishes such as smoked haddock soup.”
What to do and where to stay in Glasgow
“Glasgow is famous for its shipbuilding past, so its historic architecture is often overlooked. If you take the time to look up to enjoy the details there is some amazing Edwardian and Victorian architecture. My favourite boutique hotel, Hotel Du Vin, is at One Devonshire Gardens among a row of gorgeous Victorian terraces. The National Trust for Scotland is a great first stop for travellers; it has an astonishing collection of battlefields and castles to visit that give insights into our history. First and foremost, I’d love visitors to go and see The Kelpies; they are between Edinburgh and Glasgow, convenient to either city.”
The neighbourhood to watch
“The Finnieston district, on the north bank of the River Clyde, is where the bright lights are. Fans of Indian food will love Mother India. The Kelvington Cafe is my favourite Finnieston hangout; it has leather banquettes and serves comfort food and cocktails in a cosy, wood-panelled space. It’s on Argyle St, which is hopping with great bars and restaurants.”
Scott’s Australian connections
“It’s a joy for me to return to Queensland. I used to have a studio in Currumbin Beach (on the Gold Coast), and exhibited at the local Swell Sculpture Festival. If destiny hadn’t intervened when I met my wife, I would no doubt be living there now. As an artist I love tapping into the human passion for animals. I’m thrilled when equestrian folk are moved by a sculpture of mine. The Clydesdale are a Scottish breed that came to Australia, just like me. These former loyal workhorses, now admired for their lovely nature and magnificence, are my muse and passion.”
The magic of horses
“Horses aren’t just beautiful to look at, they are amazing to interact with. We sponsor an organisation in Scotland that brings horses together with kids, the Riding for the Disabled Association. Time in the saddle has a fitness component but the magic happens when the horses communicate with the children, as if they know that they are needed in some special way. That deep bonding does wonders for the kids’ confidence.”
Home away from home
“My wife, Hanneke, is an architect from The Netherlands. Two years ago I exhibited in Los Angeles (pictured) and we decided to stay. We found a beautiful little house in Silver Lake, a boho neighbourhood. Los Angeles is really a huge city made up of 12 villages joined together, each with its own character and feel. My studio is a 10-minute drive away. Our local restaurant, Botanica, serves classic California farmers’ market cuisine – delicious and fresh.”
The LA art scene
“Travellers interested in the LA art scene can see and buy the works of contemporary painters at Philip Martin Gallery. Getty Villa is one of my favourite museums in the world. Seeing classical antiquities on the Malibu coastline in a Roman-inspired setting is magical.”
Other inspiring sculptors
“There are sculptors doing beautiful work. Deborah Butterfield creates horses from raw driftwood and found objects; they’re so bare and minimal yet emotionally evocative. The figurative sculptures of Frippy Jameson (pictured) focus on both humans and horses in cast bronze. Susan Leyland creates horse sculpture in Italy and also works in clay. Their work is moving and powerful.”
Tassie boots and all
“I always pack my Blundstone boots, which I discovered in Australia. They are so easy to pull on or off in airports, amazingly durable, and the leather always looks great. A Harris tweed jacket covers both formal and informal events and never crumples, doing a double act between lunch at the pub and meeting a consul-general. It is a beautiful textile and I love flying the flag for Scotland.”
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