The Horseshoe

When all this Libdemmery (Regional Party Convener, Local Party Convener, Council Candidate, Holyrood PPC, Scottish Conference Committee Vice Convener etc.) gets too much I repair to a legendry Glasgow drinking emporium in Drury Street by the name of the Horseshoe Bar. This establishment is a magnificent example of the so-called "gin palace" style of pub and is one of the few pubs I know where "aw Jock Tamson's bairns" can happily rub shoulders. A fine example is my own little group; a ship yard draughtsman/project manager, a kitchen porter, a bank manager, a butcher, a pub manager and a pol all happily meet and chat for an hour or two about all subjects under the sun. What have we got in common? Well, I suppose our mutual enjoyment of a couple of drinks in that particular pub, but not much else other than an absolute passion for "the beautiful game" - fitba!
We've got Celtic, Rangers, Arsenal and Irvine Meadow fans and we'd argue a black craw white on the silliest, most trivial of points and, even after the most heated discussion, be able to come away as still friends and feeling a little more relaxed and part of the human race.

So, next time you're in Glasgow, have a wee trip along to the Horseshoe and, even if you don't get drawn into a discussion, just enjoy the surroundings and soak up the atmosphere.