Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

I love the Games! SO much!
Glasgow is such a warm and welcoming city anyway, but the Games really seems to have amplified that. The streets are buzzing with happy, excited people and it’s great to see there is so much going on around the Games like Festival 2014 and BBC at the Quay (as well as the live site at Glasgow Green). I also think the timing of the Merchant City Festival to run at the same time as the Games is perfect as Merchant City is totally heaving with people and enjoying some more unusual aspects of Glasgow.
My experience of going to the venues has been really good — the Armadillo was great for the weightlifting and not too difficult to get to from Finnieston (although why they closed the bridge from the station is a bit baffling.) Sitting looking at Kelvingrove Museum at the lawn bowls was a magical Glasgow experience I’ll always remember. I’ve also loved getting into the merchandise as there’s some really nice stuff — my particular favourite is the foil venue specific tshirts which look really great. Of course it’s expensive but I feel like that’s just part and parcel of getting a memento.
Oh, and I love Clyde. I won’t hear a bad word against him. He’s such a cute wee guy and I think his beaming smile makes him the perfect mascot.
I love the Games and I wish they weren’t ending on Sunday! I’ll be crying, that’s for sure.

I must admit I’ve never been the biggest sporting fan, but the sheer enthusiasm, emotion and enjoyment which the Commonwealth has brought to Glasgow is seriously making me want to get involved with and follow sport more seriously. The Scottish team are making us all proud and it really does show the true talent and ability of our athlethes.
Although I didn’t manage to get any tickets to events, I have been to the Live Zone in Glasgow Green on a few occasions and the events at the Pacific Quay.
Glasgow Green in particular has been decked out exceptional for the games. Giant mascots, deckchairs, sport and art tents and events for kids and adults alike — not to mention a dedicated Kitchen and Bar area which puts other festival food offerings to shame, it really has the lot!
Regular performances and music on the main stage and the giant wheel keep the crowds entertained. But lets not forget the huge screens showing all the main sporting events of the day — there’s screens both outside and under a marquee kitted out with cushions and chilled out seating (genius idea).
The annual Merchant City festival is also part of the Games festivities and again the quality of the performances and produce are fantastic.
You can’t deny that the games have brought a bit of travel disruption to the city but lets face it, I think Scotrail and the organisers have really done a good job overall at handling the masses travelling to events and visitors to the city.
I think what I’ve most enjoyed this summer in Glasgow is the real sense of spirit and friendliness of everyone ranging from the volunteers to the enthusiasm and passion of the spectators and crowds. Its lovely seeing the city so busy with tourists, and it honestly does make me think how proud (or should I say chuffed) to say that I’m Scottish and that Glasgow is my honorary home toon! :)

I never usually follow big sporting events unless it involves roller derby but since its in Glasgow I decided to head along to the weightlifting at the armadillo (clyde auditorium). WOW… atmosphere was amazing as were the athletes! Loved every second of it!
All of the event surrounding the games at merchant city and glasgow green were equally buzzing and having big screens everywhere makes the games more accessible since the tickets can be rather pricey!
Well done Glasgow!
If you haven’t got in on the buzz go! Theres still time… and tickets!

I’m definitely not a sports fan by any stretch if the imagination — my idea of watching football is watching the clock for it to end, or watching the rugby to perve on the players! With the games coming to Glasgow, I wanted to experience some of it because of how rare an opportunity it is and I am SO glad that I did.
I got tickets to the BBC at the Quay viewing of the opening ceremony which included live performances from a local cheerleading squad, the bagpipe squad Red Hot Chilli Pipers and a choir called Soul Nation. The sun was shining, the place was comfortably packed and the entertainment just didn’t stop. The opening ceremony was shown on big screens with deck chairs to sit on as the sun set. I absolutely loved the ceremony and I won’t hear anyone complain! Everything from the dancing tea cakes to Karen Dunbar!
I went to watch the rhythmic gymnastics at the SSE Hydro, and I’m going to see the creative gymnastics this week. Such an amazing display of talent and pretty emotional too! The packed trains, disruption etc is absolutely worth it — what an amazing time for Glasgow!

Glasgow is Golden!
Yes, cheesy puns aside, the Commonwealth Games have taken residence in our fair city, and I think we can safely say that both the Games, and Glasgow are enjoying the benefits.
Being out and about in the city, it’s amazing. There’s a definite ‘buzz’ that you can feel and see, from everyone — athletes, tourists, visitors, volunteers, Clydesiders and even the police!
The range of events that have been put on to compliment the actual sports themselves are great too! Get yourself down to Glasgow Green, take in the food and drink in the Live Zone, then watch the stage to see what’s going down — it could be beatboxers, it could be traditional Scottish music, whatever it is, it’s worth seeing. Also, ride the big wheel for amazing views of the city, and pit youself against Usain Bolt in the fantastic Race Bolt challenge!
I was down on a Friday night, and it was great fun, and then again on the Sunday afternoon with my son, and he loved it as well.
The attitude of the people in the city has been the star, I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed being in the city as much as the past week or so. People are happy, I’ve seen people stop in the streets with maps and total strangers (not even the amazing volunteers) ask if they know where they’re going and help them. Little things like that paint Glasgow in a fantastic light.
The BBC has also helped immensely, their amazing video montages of Glasgow’s sights and sounds had made our city look like a million dollars, and the marathon on Sunday had some stunning shots of the city streets, the Clydeside and the parks… the rest of the world is catching on to what we Weegies (and inherited Weegies) already know — Glasgow is awesome.
I may live outside of Glasgow now, but I can honestly say I’ve never been prouder to tell people that I’m a Glaswegian, or to point out «that’s MY city» to people I know.
I’ve loved every second of the Games so far, and I’ll miss them when they’re gone. Make the most of them while you can!

What an incredible time I’m having at the Glasgow 2014 commonwealth games. I’ve been all over the city in the last 5 days, and still have 6 days of events to look forward to.
I’ve been to the opening ceremony which was spine tingling. It was the perfect blend of tongue in cheek Scottish humour and emotional teary moments. Highlight has to be the spontaneous singing of Loch Lomond and when Scotland entering the stadium. It’s a moment which will live with me forever — a truly once in a life time experience.
I’ve experiences the badminton at the Emirates arena, which was great fun and for the first day of competition very fast and well organised getting through security.
the swimming at tollcross was epic. I saw Dan Wallace win his goal in what can only be described as the loudest atmosphere I’ve ever experienced. Singing flower of scotland as the flag was raised is one if my stand out moments so far.
Weighlifting at the clyde auditorium was great fun and surprisingly gripping and nail biting!!! I also spotted ladies curler Vicki Adams which I was a little fan girl over.
The athletics at Hampden was not as well organised with about a 30 min wait to get in and a lack of pies ready when we did eventually get through the door. Was great to see the men’s 100s heats… boys these guys can shift butt!
Another great highlight of the week was my trip to Festival 2014 live zone at Glasgow Green. It is a huge and extremely impressive set up with SO much to do and see. There is also fantastic food trucks on site, including Unilocal favourite Three Sisters Bake.
At the venues the food had been pretty decent for mass produced event food. There have been different food options at each venue which has been pretty great. The favourite so far was the pie, mash & gravy at Hampden
I’ve discovered something about our city this week — I am 100% utterly in love with Glasgow!