Glasgow West End: Pats Guide: Bookshops - Glasgow's Outdoor Experience: John Smith's
After the sad closure of their bookshops in St Vincent Street and Byres Road it is great to see John Smith's participating in new and exciting ventures. Their partnership with Tiso's the Outdoor Specialists has manifested itself in a fantastic new retail experience: Glasgow's Outdoor Experience in Coupar Street (behind Glasgow Caledonian University and just a few minutes walk from Buchanan Street bus station.)
Wisely John Smith's have persuaded Westender, Paul Currie, who was based at their University Bookshop, to put his knowledge and enthusiam of sailing and climbing to good use: Paul has pulled together a great range of books of interest to outdoor enthusiasts and travellers. You can pick up all your "rough guides" and specialist activity books. The Nautical Section has everything "from ship's logs to pilot guides to the West Coat of Scotland and Ireland" and you will also find useful cycle routes and walking and climbing guides. You can even buy a best seller for relaxing on your hols or catch a special event:
Autumn Events - 2001
Scotland the Wild Place the launch of Colin Prior's magnificient photographic record of Scotland's landscapes. 4th October, 2001.
Irvine Butterfield - launch of his latest book 'The Call of the Corbetts' those mountains over 2500-3000ft - 24th October, 2001.
Ian Mitchell's - 'Walking Through Scotland' will be launched on Thursday, 1st November. You can read a chapter of Ian's book on the Web site. Women Walking
April and May Events,2001
(1)The Angry Roadshow Wednesday 25th April 6.30pm for 7pm. To mark 10 years of your favourite hillzine the first ever TAC gig will take place in John Smith's bookshop.The editor will introduce: Alan Blanco:Purple with rage :the Ordnance Survey's top ten blunders. Val Hamilton:When does a walker become a rambler or a climber? When the Media choose. Perkin Warbeck:Hill sites on the web,the good the bad, and the ugly Venue: John Smith and Son Booksellers Glasgow Outdoor Experience 50 Couper street Townhead G 4 0DL Phone 552 4394 E-mail tiso@johnsmith.co.uk Admission Free - Wine will be Served.(2)Franced Rickus will be hosting a talk and slide show entitled Trek To Everest Base Camp on Saturday 28th April @ 2.00pm Everest Base Camp on Saturday 28th April @ 2.00pm Venue as above Admission Free (no wine at this one)
(3)Cameron Mcneish will be celebrating the launch of his new book The Wilderness World of Cameron Mcneish price £18.00, published by Neil Wilson on Tuesday 8th May 2001 @ 6.30pm for 7.00pm. Venue as above. Admission Free. Wine will be served.
Launch of new book
Buy a signed copy of Ian Mitchell's latest book'On the Trail of Queen Victoria in the Highlands' - Thursday, 19th October, 2000 - Glasgow Outdoor Experience, slide show and free wine
Paul showed Jim and myself around the Outdoor Experience and it is really fascinating and brings a whole new participative dimension to the shopping experience. For example you can try out your Gortex waterproof gear in special 'torrential rain chamber' and turn the temperature down for a touch of reality if you want to try out those ice picks on Europe's only 'wall of ice'. There is also a climbing wall with a 60' pinnacle where children over 9 years can plot their route to the top - they are given a certificate if they successfully reach the summit. The tent pitched at the top has been on Everest with Expedition 2000.
Apart from all this activity there is a great selection of Outdoor Gear and Equipment and some very unique services such as customised footbeds - measured and made to your specific requirements to ensure maximum comfort. I had my own feet measured when I was there and learned all about the technical intricacies of this process and the benefits from Davie. One of the team of specialist staff in the shop who will provide you with expert advice.
Also very popular is the ordnance survey equipment - the only equipment of this type in the West Coast of Scotland.
If you are exhausted or hungry after taking everything in and trying out some indoor, outdoor exploits then you can enjoy a snack in the cafe, which overlooks the whole shebang. I think that this shop is bound to be a great hit - we loved it and will certainly be going back. A great place for the weans on a wet day and you don't even pay to get in.
In the photograph you can see Paul Currie with his dogs and climbing pal Alan Macdonald at the top of Beinn Eighe.
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