Editorial – The Scottish Banner Says….

January 2025 (Vol. 48, Number 07)

The Banner Says…

I Belong to Glasgow

As 2025 is now upon us not only do I wish all our readers and friends a very Happy New Year, but also a very happy 850th birthday to Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow. For some when they think of Glasgow they think of ship building, grit, working class and an accent that some struggle to understand. This is just part of a city that has evolved so much since I have known it, and was doing so long before I got to walk its streets.

Glasgow is a city that does not keep still and evolves. Whilst some ship building still takes place on the River Clyde, the city’s role as the pinnacle of shipbuilding excellence in the 20th century, or as it was known ‘Clydebuilt’, is now part of this city’s social and economic past.

Glaschu

The word Glasgow derives from the Gaelic word Glaschu (pronounced Glas-a-hoo) meaning ‘dear green place’. This is a term that has stuck with Glasgow for years as the city boasts nearly 100 parks and gardens. Another term the city has adopted is ‘People make Glasgow’. All you have to do is meet some Glaswegians to understand why this is not just a marketing executives’ creative inspiration, but fact. Glaswegians are full of character, passion, wit and humour. I have certainly found most from Glasgow take the city with them wherever they go. Some may have resettled across the oceans, but they create new lives as proud Scots and always the sons and daughters of Glasgow.

Although nearby Edinburgh gets many more visitors and is unmistakably beautiful, Glasgow has so much to offer the visitor. A wealth of world class and mostly free art galleries and museums are available across the city. Glasgow has a huge creative scene and was in fact the UK’s very first and world’s third city to be designated as a UNESCO City of Music. Glasgow today is a city still full of determination and creativity. A city that this year will celebrate not only its glorious past but its exciting future. Starting this month 850 years of progress will be celebrated with events taking place throughout 2025.

I hope we can share some of the program in future editions and I look forward to being in the ‘dear green place’ myself this month to learn more. The streets of Glasgow remain full of the past and present, I often say to people when in Glasgow look up as many buildings tell of a different Glasgow than the present and modern shopfronts. Glasgow itself is always looking up, and forward, and I look forward to celebrating with the city this year.

In this issue

It is not just Glasgow in the birthday mode, but an iconic Scot is also marking a milestone birthday. Annie Lennox has had a hugely successful music career for many decades and would be part of the soundtrack of many people’s lives. Annie is in fact the only Scottish woman inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. However, her catalogue of music success is just part of what makes her such a star. I am not one to gush over too many celebrities, but I do admire Annie Lennox quite a bit, she is a tireless activist and campaigner for human rights and social justice and has used her platform to help so many. Happy birthday Annie and thanks for all the great music and for being an all-round great human!

As we look at a new year perhaps you will make it your new year resolution to book that trip to Scotland? We are highlighting just some of the many things happening this year and that 2025 trip to Scotland really has never looked so good, I know I will be there!

If you happen to be planning a trip to Scotland this year, there is a high chance it will be by air. This month we look back at a unique part of Scottish history when John Damian, also known as ‘The Birdman of Stirling’, attempted a flying experiment using wings made of feathers at Stirling Castle in1507. And though not successful this is the first known flying attempt ever made in Scotland.

Electronic Travel Authorisation

A reminder to our readers who will be visiting Scotland/the UK this year. New for 2025 the UK government is phasing in a new travel scheme which starts this month. It will require people travelling to the UK without a visa to get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). From January visitors travelling from Australia, Canada, New Zealand andthe USA (not using a British passport) will require an ETA. An ETA costs £10 per applicant. It will allow multiple journeys and will be valid for two years or until the holder’s passport expires – whichever is sooner.

Finally, Scotland’s most famous poet Robert Burns was born on January 25, 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire, at what is now Burns Cottage. The day of his birth is celebrated today throughout the world as Burns’ Night, with Burns’ Suppers taking place across the globe. Robert Burns was born into a poor farming family and died at the young age of just 37, but the universal appeal of his works continues in 2025. Have a look at our events page in case there is a Burns event near you and to those celebrating I wish you a wonderful time.

Have you visited Glasgow? What is your favourite thing about Glasgow? Do you have you any comments from the content in this month’s edition? Share your story with us by email, post, social media or at: www.scottishbanner.com/contact-us

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