A Time For Reflection. Glasgow City Centre to Partick. River Clyde Night Walk Part One.

                                                ALL PHOTOS CLICK FULL SCREEN.

Barclays Bank Complex. River Clyde Reflections. It was after my previous Bowling Harbour post I remembered  that the River Clyde from Glasgow City Centre to Partick on a still day is one of the lesser known highlights of the city for tourists. As it only happens on still evenings, or mornings/afternoons, with winds under 5 miles per hour many passing tourists will never see it. Even light rain can spoil perfect reflections. The strange elastic nature of blog time meant I thought I had done this walk about five or six years ago with friends Anne and Belinda but it turned out to be nine long years since that last visit. Again a November walk. I had raved about it then but we are so spoilt in Central Belt Scotland for great scenery, even within 30 minutes drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh city centres that almost a decade has flashed by before I thought of another visit.

In that time period several changes have occurred. Barclays Bank Complex being the largest addition to the waterfront reflections. I arrived down here at 4:30pm and 2mph wind. Perfect reflections. This is an easy flat walk along the waterfront from Glasgow city centre to Partick. Walking fast you can probably do it in about an hour but I took my time, getting the right positions and waiting for the best shots. So two hours walk for me. I am of course Central Scotland's Best Landscape and Urban Housing Estates (Still Alive) Photographic aficionado.... so I place high expectations on my tremendously broad shoulders. 

Pedestrian bridge across to Barclays Bank. Even 20 minutes with the light fading can change the colours dramatically. Naturally I had also ordered a delicate ever changing sunset for my walk.

Orange sunset. Kingston Bridge. Seeing the almost static traffic on this bridge every rush hour I am very grateful that none of my many jobs over the decades have involved city centre traffic, which must drive people completely nuts. ( Falling Down (film) style.)

We had a few large storms at the end of October 2026 and this is just some of the debris in the river. Surprised there's not a traffic cone on it. As well as a lifebelt.

Riverboat Casino and the Hotel waterfront.

Two different angles of the pedestrian bridge across the River Clyde. It used to be numerous ferries when Glasgow had loads of ships and some smaller boats were unloading cargo at docks right up to the Broomielaw/ Clyde Street... but now it's bridges of various shapes and sizes. 

Not often you see the underside of this bridge, and it looks good, so two photographs of it from both sides.

Barclays Bank close up. Nice formal gardens around this bank complex. Different light as I hung around for a while here watching the light changing. In fact I took so many photos on this walk I have three posts worth. A bit of a bummer as I'm already ten posts behind. Never mind.

A later shot of the Kingston Bridge as the light has now changed from orange to pink/purple. Sunlight dying away. Like a tiptoeing ballet swan. Exit stage left with slowly flapping wings.

George V Bridge earlier shot. Central Station Rail Bridge above.

Glasgow's International Financial District. ( a small part of it anyway.)

Kingston Bridge from the other side.

Slightly later and the bridge lights came on yet I don't remember seeing them nine years ago. Two girl companions can often do that to my powers of observation as to what lies around me in the general vicinity. This time I was alone so I noticed the river properly.

Which was just as well as loads of bikes were racing around in every direction. Having enjoyed the experience of being hit by a motorhome racing through a red light to get me ( one year recovery time) and having experienced several very close calls already from E bikes and E scooters on pavements this is an added hazard to any modern city or town you have to watch out for. On this walk from Glasgow to Partick I was passed by around 100 bikes. Nine years ago it would have been a mere handful on this walk. But it is what it is.

City Wharf. Glasgow's latest apartment project. Still being built.

The Anderston Centre. A 1970s mega structure still looking good after a revamp. I used to hang out here back in the day when it still had a bus station under it.

Last of the light on the walkway/ cycle track. Around 5pm. Early November 2026.

Clyde Arc Bridge. A pedestrian and traffic crossing. The Arc changes colour.

The Rotunda. A close up. Both of the old Victorian tunnel entrances/exits have lain empty for spells. Malin Group occupy this south unit... and the north side will soon be an event venue connected to the nearby Radission Red Hotel.

The good ship ALEA. A rival for the Waverley paddle steamer perhaps?

The Quay. An entertainment hub. I occasionally used to go the cinema here as it was very easy to park my car. No hassle- no fuss. Then they changed the parking rules and layout. Never been back since then.

A bridge over 'untroubled' water. End of part one.