Gallus Glasgow K: The Kelvin
Glasgow’s most famous river is the Clyde, but its second most important is the Kelvin which flows through the north-west of the city to its confluence with the Clyde at Yorkhill. Many areas of the city are called after it – Kelvinbridge, Kelvindale, Kelvingrove, Kelvinhall and Kelvinside, so you see the name all over.
The scientific unit of temperature, the Kelvin scale, takes its name from physicist William Thomson (1824–1907) who was named Lord Kelvin after the river which flowed past his university. His statue sits in Kelvingrove park at the foot of Glasgow University.
There’s a joke about the Kelvinside accent – that a crèche is a collision between two automobiles and sex is what the coal comes in. Want to hear an example? Head back to the 1980s with thespians Victor and Barry, the Kelvinside Men. And yes, that is a young Alan Cumming hamming it up. Pure gallus, wasn’t he?
Tomorrow, in L, I’ll tell you about Glasgow’s motto.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
That’s a lot of Kelvins! Sounds like it would be easy to get lost. 🙂
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It can be confusing!
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Haha! Awesome! I followed the link to the video; loved it! I will be bopping away for the reminder of the day to the tune, “Kelvinside Men!”
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It’s been in my head for days!
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Haha, I liked the jokes on the accent. I really struggle with the Glaswegian accent, maybe it’s because I’m french, but even after spending quite a bit of time with a friend who’s from Glasgow, I often have to ask him to repeat himself several times. If he’s just come back from a trip home, forget about it. I can’t carry on a conversation with him unless he purposefully softens his accent. I do love listening to the various Scottish accents though, I think they sounds great!
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I’m English originally, and I had trouble when we first arrived – to the extent that I didn’t realise till my friend told me that a taxi driver was telling dirty jokes and I was smiling politely! Once your ear adjusts it’s fine.
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Haha, they must have found it hilarious! Have you picked up the accent then?
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Yes I have! Most people now think I am Scottish, and I feel I am too after all this time.
>
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I love, love, love old bridges like that. They were really popular in the Meiji Period in Japan, so a lot of them still exist near palaces and castles around the country. And that statue of Lord Kelvin makes him look like a samurai to boot!
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Now I have a completely different way of looking at him!
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One thing I loved about visiting England and Scotland is that both are home to many scientists. They are inspirations to my profession. 🙂
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And Glasgow University can celebrate many more eg James Watt.
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Great pictures. I love that bridge– beautiful. And that video have me a much needed laugh tonight. Thank you!
TD Harvey
A to Z participant
http://www.tdharveyauthor.com
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I used to love Victor and Barry! Nice to give them a wee revival.
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