The Mitchell Library-2007

As you mentioned in your last post Mairiuna, Glasgow was chosen as the European City of Culture and I would like to emphasis a bit more on this “European” cover by telling you that since the extension was given to the building in the 70′-80′s, The Mitchell Library, one of Glasgow’s landmarks, now houses Europe’s largest public reference library with more than one million items available for reference!

Only lately did The Mitchell Library start to loan books and other documents.

I was so impressed by the atmosphere inside the old walls of the library when we last visited, that it stroke my imaginary for ever.

Being very spacious, the different areas of the library on it’s five levels, offer such a calm retreat from the agitation of the city that one tends to want to stay there all day long!

The Mitchell Library Entrance Hall - Kent Road-2007

Not only do you have access to food and drink at the cafeteria but more importantly, you gain access to food for thought…and believe me, there is more than you can digest!

A little bit of history?  Here goes.

The Mitchell Library - Outside Wall Statue-2007

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It all started with a thought in Stephen Mitchell’s mind back in the late 18th century.

Born in Linlithgow, Scotland, on September 19, 1789  (same birth day as my Dad, so it’s easy for me to remember) he was raised in a family well established in the tobacco industry.

When his father died, Stephen Mitchell took over the business, never married and finally retired with a move to Moffatt in 1859 until his passing day in 1874 after an accidental and mortal fall.

Funded by his estate, his will called for the creation of a public library in the city of Glasgow, “with all the modern accessories connected therewith”.

His name was to be given to the establishment and under no circumstances were books to be excluded from the reference categories due to restrictive opinions, religion matters or politics dissensions.

The Mitchell Library was opened to the public in November 1877 with approximately 15,000 volumes.

The Mitchell Library - Kent Road Entrance-2007

We will have to go back to this great library Mairiuna on our next visit to Glasgow, because it also holds the Glasgow City Archives and is considered one the world’s best resources for researching family history.

Since I am myself in the works of tracing my Scottish ancestors, I am convinced it will benefit my quest.

The Mitchell Library - Family History Resource Area-2007

My preliminary investigation into my family ancestral history starts with my grandmother ( on my father’s side) , Elisabeth Mitchelson.

Born in 1888, she was the first child of J.M.V.Mitchelson (Scottish) and Célanire Pelland Martin (French Canadian) who got married in 1881 in the city of Berthier, Province of Quebec, Canada. They also had a son, Roméo in May of 1894.

As of today, my genealogy tree goes as far as my grandmother’s grandfather, but much more to be found and verified.

Remember Mairiuna, how many graveyards we explored and searched to find tombs with the name “Mitchelson”, or “Mitchell”, and any other derivative names?

Glasgow Necropolis-2007

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But that is…by itself,  another story

I will come back to it eventually, and share my progress.

Talk soon !

Panoramic view Abbey Craig Wallace Monument 2003

Hi everybody, what about a deep breath of fresh air after all these pages of dark and bloody history ?

The weather was threatening when we visited Wallace Monument but don’t do as we did,  staying inside instead of climbing up to the top of the tower to get a panoramic view of the place !

Get equipped with a good parka, like most of our Scottish friends are, and fear no wind or bad weather, they’re part of the game ! And even if, like me, you feel terribly dizzy when looking down from a big height, try making a habit of climbing up any you happen to find on your way … hills and mountains, monuments, towers, castles, even the gondola or the big wheel will do for that matter… landscapes are breathtaking in Scotland and to see them from above is one of the best way to discover them… believe me it’s worth the effort !

Ochill Hills view from Wallace Monument 2007

River Forth from Wallace Monument 2007

Once on top of Wallace Monument look northward to see how the Ochill Hills are towering above Stirling fertile valley and notice southward the river Forth curving spectacularly on its meandering way towards the Firth of Forth. Of course you’ve already found Stirling castle on the lively map which unveils in front of you. Like Edinburgh Castle, it dominates the town from the height of its volcanic rock,  a very interesting place indeed this old castle and well worth the visit. We’ll come back there soon to see how, in olden times, the chief cook and his team did manage to get through the big task of preparing a medieval menu for the king and his court. We’ll also watch weavers at work on a magnificent and unique piece of arts and crafts composed of a series of five tapestries called “The Hunt of the Unicorn”. This reproduction of an old masterpiece is going to ornate soon the walls of the castle rooms as it would have been in the 16th century… that alone is well worth the trip.

Mind ! don’t play the fool while going round the area, the King of Scotland and William Wallace are guarding the place forever… see the majestic stone figure of Robert the Bruce looking from the Castle esplanade at that of Wallace brandishing his big sword on the wall of the Monument.

‘Ce n’est qu’un au-revoir’ but before going and turning this historical page let us cross once more the old Stirling bridge where the

Bannockburn took place a long time ago, on June 24 th, 1314.

We are going to cross many other beautiful old bridges in our tour of Scotland but this one is truly mythical…and it’s a Scottish landmark.

Old Stirling Bridge

Old Stirling Bridge