Glasgow's new home of whisky

The River Clyde is synonymous with shipbuilding and construction, but more recently with modern science, technology and innovation. Once the industrial hub of the city and gateway to the world, the shipyards and factories on the banks of the Clyde employed thousands of manual workers, building huge liners, importing goods and sending Scottish exports all over the world.

At the Queen's Dock, Crates bringing back spices from Asia and tobacco from America filled the air with a mixture of new and exotic scents. Among these was another unmistakable aroma: Scotch whisky. Right here, on the site of the birth of the whisky industry sits the newly opened Clydeside Distillery.

In its heyday, Glasgow was home to several whisky distilleries and 'whisky barons', businessmen who pioneered new products, built and shaped the landscape of the city. Among them was John Morrison, founder of the Queen's Dock who laid the foundations for Morrison Bowmore Distillers. In 2017, his ancestor Tim Morrison has opened one of the first malt whisky distilleries in Glasgow for over half a century.

Although the Clydeside Distillery is brand new and not currently producing any whisky yet (it takes three years to create a malt whisky) the doors are open to the public for tours to learn more about the history and the distillation process.

Our tour guide, Ronnie, was engaging, witty and definitely knew his whisky! The building is a bright, modern space with views of the Clyde and it retains the old stone of the Queen's dock and striking clock tower. It's a real joy to wander round, read and learn about the history surrounding Scotland's most famous tipple.

Even if you aren't a whisky fan, it's a fascinating and sensory experience. You might even be converted by the end of the tour, where you get an opportunity to sample 'Three Wee Drams' from across Scotland in a beautiful tasting room. And you get to keep your glass as a souvenir.

Ronnie guided us through the six steps of whisky tasting, encouraging us to take notes. There's a cute cafe offering delicious platters of home-grown produce and a gift shop, where you can take home your favourite whisky. You can even purchase bottles with personalised labels to commemorate a special occasion or trip.

Tours cost £15 for an adult and they run every hour on weekdays and every half hour on weekends. You can book online or buy tickets on arrival.

Combining history and tradition with innovation, the distillery brings new life to the banks of the River Clyde. It's a fitting tribute to the industrial, pioneering spirit of the city and an exciting vision for its future.

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Vita Liberata holiday glow

So, there have been a few nice days in Glasgow. Finally, we can rejoice and revel in the Spring weather! No more winter coats, bulky jumpers, bobble hats and pasty skin.

Fully embracing the Summer vibes, I went along to an event at Polished salon in the south side, to launch the new range from Vita Liberata.

I've always been interested to dive into the world of sunless tanning (for me, a using a gradual tanner a few times a week is as far as I go)  and Vita Liberata was a brand I'd heard good things about. I was particularly intrigued by their new 'Body Blur' products which promised glowing, natural looking skin. Could it be possible? 

On a glorious Wednesday evening (temperatures soared to 17 degrees!) the girls at Polished let me try out the new products and see how they worked. 

The Body Blur (for face and body) gave an instant, golden finish to the skin which didn't look streaky or patchy. Perfect for an instant boost to your skin before an event or a night out.

The Beauty Blur - a hybrid primer/tinted moisturiser/foundation wonder product - gave my skin a natural finish - like I'd spent all day sunning myself on a beach. A really good one to take with you on holiday for a glowy evening look.

I also picked up the Illuminate Wash Off Body Bronzer, which I am yet to test out.

For those of us in search of exotic, tanned skin for an unpredictable Glasgow summer - Vita Liberata is a great shout. There's no danger of looking orange or over-done here (RIP Dale Winton, we love you but we don't want your tan). Just a natural looking glow that's super easy to do at home (even for a tanning novice like me).

You can find all the Vita Liberata products online or stocked at Polished salon. While you're there, they offer every kind of beauty treatment you can imagine: nails, hair and make-up. Even if you're just looking for some beauty advice, these girls really know their stuff.

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Ox and Finch, Finnieston's finest

Like most millennials my age, I am partial to a list. Every time someone says 'You NEED to watch (insert name of new and popular film/TV show)' I add it to my list. I also have a list for books and podcasts, and for restaurants too.

Living in Glasgow is great- there are so many new places opening up all the time (it feels relentless) and for the real gems you don't have to stick to the west end or city centre any more - there are super cool cafes, brunch spots and New York inspired eateries in Dennistoun, South of the river and beyond. Which can be tricky, especially if you're a foodie like me, you love a gimmick and you're a sucker for advertising and hype (guilty..)

Anyway, I've been meaning to try Ox and Finch in Finnieston for a while now. It's one of those places you only hear good things about, and it always crops up on the list of recommendations when people are looking for places to dine in Glasgow.

With so many options now it felt like a safe choice and I was excited to finally try it out over the weekend. It definitely didn't disappoint!

I was slightly wary of the 'small plates' approach to the menu - this can be hit or miss sometimes, but it really worked here. We went for five dishes between two and it was more than enough.

The scallops were melt in the mouth incredible (much like the courses to follow). I liked how they didn't bring everything at once which can sometimes be quite overwhelming.

Next was coley with chorizo and grilled chicory, followed by slow-cooked lamb shoulder with bulgur wheat, apricots and mint yoghurt. I think this one might have been my favourite, it was so good!

The braised pork cheek with polenta (which I recently discovered in Italy and now love) and salsa verde was divine too. Definitely worth a trip here for these two dishes alone!

I had a delicious South African semillon sauvignon with my dinner from a decent selection of reasonably priced drinks. I liked that I could order a carafe of my wine! Always good when you don't want a full bottle but a glass just won't cut it.

Before and after

For a special occasion, this place is such a winner. I'd definitely go back - it feels cool and modern and the food is just really tasty. I forgot to photograph the quirky toilets so you'll need to go there to see what I mean!

So next time you're in Finnieston, sipping on cocktails or having a pint in the Park Bar (either one works for pre-dinner drinks) consider Ox and Finch. Or, if you're in Edinburgh, BABA is their sister restaurant. 

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Things I learned living on my own

Last weekend, I moved out of the flat I've lived in alone for two years, from age 25 to 27, to a new place with a flatmate. Not just a flatmate - a friend, and a close friend. It was a big decision to make - I'd been on my own for a while and had become very used to it. I'd never lived with anyone else before (parents don't count, neither do backpackers).

I deliberated for a long time but in the end, it just made sense to move. Namely, financial sense - living on my own was ridiculously expensive and it meant I could save a bit of money each month. Besides, living with another person was a new experience and I'd heard it could be fun! So I emailed my letting agency and just like that, ended my two year tenancy.

It felt a bit like ending a relationship. I'd grown very attached to my wee flat (which incidentally, was probably far too big for me.) I'd filled it with all the things I loved and really made it home. When moving out day finally arrived and I had to pack it all into boxes and leave, I felt heartbroken. I reflected on all of my memories of this place, everything that happened here. I held a 'farewell' party with some of my friends to give it a proper goodbye.

I recently this article by Polly Dunbar, where she talks about how she did most of her growing up in the flat she lived in during her mid twenties. I definitely agree - your childhood home is just that, your first 'grown up' home is the place where you really learn about yourself, and life as an adult.

I considered how much things had changed in the past two years for me, and how living on my own had helped mould me into the person I am now. It's definitely not for everyone so I don't want to say 'it's something everyone should experience at least once in their life' but for me, it was.

So here are 10 reasons why living on my own was so awesome.

1. Having a place that's truly yours. Stamping your personality all over it and having people say "this is such a Kirsty flat" when they walk in.

2. You get to feel all independent when you tell people "I live on my own". This usually generates one of two reactions: "Amazing!" or "Aw, that's so sad. Don't you get lonely?"

3a. Having no-one there to judge you when you're standing in your kitchen eating dry cereal out of the packet, crisps and anything else in your cupboards after a night out.

3b. Having no-one there to judge you when you wake up the next morning after said night out and find crumbs all over the kitchen floor, half-devoured mess, clothes and belongings strewn across every room.

4. Being able to be naked whenever you want (obviously)

5. Being able to sing loudly whenever you want. And talk to yourself.

6. Cooking whatever you want to eat. Even if that was a rotation of the same 5 meals. Ramen noodles again? Hell yeh!

7. Only ever having to clean up after yourself.

8. Never having to wait for the bathroom.

9. Being able to host 'dinner parties' for your friends.

(Reality: planning an extravagant menu and then panicking at 5pm on the way home from work when you realise you don't have the time, ingredients or culinary skills you thought you did. Cue plan B - basic menu option - which you still manage to mess up - rescued by a lot of crisps and hummus and a LOT of cheap wine.)

10. Eating all of the leftover food from said party when everyone leaves.

And, even though I'm still very new to it, here are some reasons why living with a friend is awesome too....

1. Having someone to come home and rant to.

2. Someone to motivate you to go to the gym.

3. Someone to share the household chores with.

4. Doing Beyonce dance routines in the living room is a lot more fun with two people (and a dog).

5. Learning new recipes and trying new things (pumpkin gnocchi is my new favourite dinner!).

6. Someone to do 'fashion shows' with and get their opinion on outfits.

7. Making a home that reflects both of your personalities.

8. Drinking wine on a Monday is perfectly acceptable when you have someone to share it with.

9. Having someone to come and pour you a glass of wine in the bath (and rescue you when you spill it in the bathwater).

10. Making new memories together and sharing everything in your lives - good and bad.

It was tough leaving my old place but I wouldn't go back there now. Change isn't always easy but I think it's a good thing and it can help you to grow.

Conclusion so far: living on your own is nice, but living with someone is definitely more fun. I will report back with more updates.

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