QMU Jailbreak

Over the last few years QM members have travelled as far afield as Egypt, Alicante & last year two groups got to Poland; all without spending a penny of their own money. They achieved this through taking part in QM’s Annual Jailbreak. The principle behind Jailbreak is simple, get as far away from the union as possible in 48 hours, the team that gets furthers “as the crow flies” is deemed the winner; the only catch being that you must achieve this without spending any of your, or anyone you know’s, money.

Interested? Want to know more? We asked some of our previous participants some quick questions to give you a better idea of what to expect from one of the best weekends of your uni life.

 

Travel Log: South Uist

One of our newest contributors, Yasmynn Lloyd, took a trip up north over the summer to the Outer Hebrides.

As a 4th year, I am more than accustomed to the Scottish weather. And I know as much as anyone that it isn’t exactly desirable. It’s not, shall we say, the main draw for people coming to uni here.

So when my parents announced at the start of the summer that our annual family holiday was neither going to be a fortnight all-inclusive in the Caribbean, nor a week in a luxury New York hotel and it wasn’t going to be a beach holiday in the Canaries or yachting in the South of France, I was devastated. It wasn’t even going to be camping in Cornwall or a caravan in Wales.

It was going to be 14 days in South Uist. Admittedly, this probably shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me since that is, in fact, our summer holiday every year.

For those of you less than clued up on your Scottish geography, the Outer Hebrides are a group of islands off the north west coast of Scotland. Last stop before Canada. South Uist is the second most southern of the group. Although it’s pretty far away, it’s not too difficult to get to. You can get a train from Queen Street to Oban, from where the ferry to South Uist costs about £20 (although it does take five hours, and on a windy day makes you regret getting the sausage casserole from the canteen). Or you can fly with FlyBe (to Benbecula, one of the central islands) from Glasgow Airport, which takes a much more palatable 55 minutes.

The buzzing metropolis of South Uist is called Daliburgh, and boasts an impressive two churches, 1 post office, 1 pub/hotel, 1 bunk house, and a Co-Op. The island itself is long and thin, and therefore has one main (single track) road, meaning that the bus service is pretty easy to figure out, although it isn’t that often. You can hire bikes or cars, though, which are an easier way of getting about. There are a few hotels dotted about the islands, and a couple of bunkhouses, but there are always cottages for rent; a quick Google comes up with literally tens of results, and since it’s not high season Ibiza, prices are more than reasonable.

As you can imagine for an island, the seafood is out of this world. It can be as short a time as half an hour between catching the fish and serving it up with chips and tartare sauce. Polochar Inn on the south end of the island does really good food; the fish and chips could put most to shame and you’d be shocked at the size of the scallops. But since this is a student magazine, you’re probably not too bothered about massive shellfish and more worried about the drinking establishments. There are a few pubs, including the Borrodale in Daliburgh, none are particularly cheap but neither are they overpriced, and they’re always warm, comfortable and full of red-faced whisky-drinking locals. Particularly during the summer months, village halls up and down the island hold ceilidhs pretty much weekly, and the pubs often have live music going on as well. It might not be Cheesy Pop, but you can’t fail to have a good time as the atmosphere is brilliant.

So you’ve sorted how you’re getting there, you’ve found somewhere to stay and you’ve managed to get some food and drinks. Well done. Now the small matter of filling your days up. For shopping, there’s the co-op, a hardware shop or the gift shop at the Kildonan Museum. Buchanan Galleries it is not, but you can get all the essentials, along with the obligatory magnet and postcard to send to your grandparents.

But the main reason we go back every single year is because it’s beautiful. Even if we get 13 days of torrential rain, that 1 day of glorious sunshine is enough to make the holiday. Sometimes it’s nice to sit in front of a fire with a brew and a board game, or our holiday entertainment of choice this year, box sets of The Walking Dead. Although, the 13th consecutive day of Monopoly with my sister can take its toll on my sanity. But when it’s dry, get your boots on and get outside. Walk east, to the hills; still lochs reflect the endless sky, and following sheep tracks through the heather takes you to places that feel like no-one has ever been before. Or you can go west, to the beach. Miles and miles of untouched beach; white sand, blue sea and rolling sand dunes; not a single person there. It’s a perfect place just to let loose; no-one can see you, and even if they did, no-one cares. Take a disposable barbecue down to the beach and stay until the sun sets at midnight. Unleash your inner child and build a sandcastle. Fly a kite. Sing. Race. Play football or cricket or tennis. Drink tea from a flask or beer from a crate. Even brave the Atlantic and dip your toes in the sea (then squeal and run back up the beach to put your socks and boots back on). But just stand, and look around you, and see beauty everywhere you look, and marvel that such a place exists.

 [Yasmynn Lloyd]

Travel Log: Govan Docks

Our news editor slacks off uni for a day and visits the dilapidated docklands down in Govan.

Travel Log: Crianlarich

Two hours north of Glasgow is the wonderful, if a little bleak, village of Crianlarich. Situated on the edge of the Trossachs, it’s a place frequented by people walking the West Highland Way and very little else.

Tenacious D Tuesday 12th June @ SECC

Tenacious D have always been a band that have faced a tremendous uphill struggle. Infusing music and comedy is by no means an easy task and many bands have fallen by the wayside attempting to balance humour which is legitimately and consistently funny, with music that is… well… good. The acts that have achieved this fate are in the minority. However, bands that have been successful in this field have cleverly developed and amalgamated their humour and sound into a level of maturity that stays fun but ultimately offers something new. The pioneers of this were The Beastie Boys and when Tenacious D entered the stage in front of an inflatable, phallic phoenix I was reminded of the controversial backdrop from the aforementioned rap group’s Licensed to Ill tour. Despite this, there wasn’t an ounce of outrage in the house. It seems as though times have changed.

The venue was by no means packed and the crowd was of a very interesting demographic. The first time I saw Tenacious D it was in the midst of their first album. On this occasion the bar was dry and the average age was probably around 14. This was what I naively expected from the evening’s gig and as I shuffled into the venue, which boasted Westlife’s up and coming tour on all four corners of the building, I was pleasantly surprised. It became apparent that Tenacious D’s following were mid 20′s nostalgic rock fans clinging onto the success and glory of their self-titled first album. This was truly hammered home half way through their two hour set when from the back of the room came the call ‘stop playing all of this new shit.’

The gig had started slowly. The band played track after track from the most recent album “The Rize of The Pheonix” and as much as I appreciate a band trying to diversify and move on from early successes, it is just not a very good record. What is bold about the new material is that it confronts the mishap that was “The Pick of Destiny”. However, what has become problematic for the dynamic duo is that the tracks that were played from their most recent offering are not a lot better. Tenacious D have taken a risk in confronting their previous failings and it has not paid off. Nevertheless, to use the tired footballing expression; it was a game of two halves.

Almost instantly after the tattooed drunk heckler had expressed his opinion, Tenacious D came to life. It was clear that the pair enjoyed playing their sing-along anthems such as ‘Kielbasa’, ‘Tribute’ and ‘Rock Your Socks’ a lot more than their weary yawn-evoking new material. The comedic chemistry between Jack and Kyle suddenly ignited and the audience was treated to a brilliantly crafted show. The highlight of the evening was the groups rendition of The Beatles’ ‘You Never Give Me Your Money’ which showed the bands’ technical skill and appreciation of their personal influences.

As I left The SECC with ‘Fuck Her Gently’ still ringing in my ears, I was conflicted. On one hand I had enjoyed the show and had been treated to at times a musically breathtaking event, mainly thanks to the flawless backing band. However, it was sad to see a band attempting to progress but falling short. Tenacious D will never do what The Beastie Boys did and achieve critical acclaim whilst evoking elements of comedy. It is fair to say that The D are not ‘The greatest band in the world’ as Jack humorously boasts, but a band with an incredible first album that will always have a place in all rock and metal fans’ hearts.

[Pad Hughes]

Alphonse at the seaside

[Sean Iles]

The first Alphonse the Unemployed Lion Tamer, published in qmunicate #92.

Utter Filth

Last weekend I spent my Saturday night somewhere slightly further afield than Sauchiehall Street. And not Bath Street – further still! I ventured to Stirling, a pretty and historic town, but not somewhere you immediately associate with a good night out.

However, it would seem that this is changing. Becoming increasingly despondent over the town’s less than inspiring nightlife, two students have taken it upon themselves to transform it. Together (and with the help of an army of friends), they have created ‘Filth’, an alternative club-night delivering the best of electro, house, drum& bass and dubstep to the immensely appreciative ears of Stirling.

Irrefutably and increasingly popular, Filth is arguably one of Scotland’s most surprising breakthrough nights from the last year, so I caught up one of the co-organisers – a very merry Andy Coffey (left in picture) – to find out exactly how (and why) they did it.

Filthy boys Andy Coffey and Nathan Berrie

‘We started Filth cause we were going out all the time, and we were like “Where’s all the good music? Why the hell are we listening to Rihanna?!” There was no alternative.’ explains Andy.

The night has been running monthly for just over a year now, and since its humble beginnings in a local pub, Filth continues to get bigger and better each time, last Saturday night’s event being the biggest yet. More of a festival than a club night, we weren’t crammed in to a sweaty club but were out in the open air, in the sun-drenched yard of Stirling’s Old Town Jail. I asked Andy how Filth had transformed in what has been a relatively short period of time;

‘Tonight is the culmination of a whole year of Filth. We started off at the Crooked Arm, a wee pub in Bridge of Allen. The night was DIY to the extreme. We had one strobe light, a laptop, a mixer and that was it. It was free as we just wanted to throw a decent night with decent music, no thoughts of profit at all. We expected maybe 80 friends, but by midnight over 180 people had packed into the pub. It was the start of something new for the Stirling night scene.’

After the success of this initial night, Filth moved on to a variety of Stirling’s nightclubs, with ticket sales for each event in their hundreds. Now, it seems, even these venues can no longer contain it; the open air being the only option.

In my opinion, this success is well deserved. While on the surface it would seem that its popularity is perhaps due to the lack of competition, I can assure the music and atmosphere at Filth rivals anything you’ve experienced in Glasgow or Edinburgh. As well as providing a platform for some seriously talented local DJs, the night also pulls in some big names from across Scotland. Previous nights have held host to Euan Neilson of Killer Kitsch, Beta and Kappa (Tuesday night at Subclub – you’ve been, you just might not remember), and Polymath.

What’s also great about Filth is the passion behind it. Started with nothing more than the desire to play some good music, it has now become quite the community, with more and more people eager to help out in any way they can. It has acted as a catalyst for a new music scene within the town, with new nights cropping up in recent months. Although they could not have foreseen Filth’s success, according to Andy, the hope was always to “change the musical landscape of Stirling”, and rather than regarding these new nights as competition, he is actually happy about this upsurge of alternative events.

‘We’ve shown that there are people around the town who like this kind of music. We’ll probably get involved with [these other nights], us guys should just help each other out, and hopefully it’ll just grow and grow and grow.’

Even with a now well-established fan base within Stirling, he remains ambitious, with hopes that the night will continue to expand.

‘We’re trying to get people from all around Scotland, not just Stirling. We’ve built up a fan base here, which is great, but I’ve travelled to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee [to see DJs]. Why can’t we book someone really big, and people will think “Fuck it, let’s go to Stirling for the night!”’

And I really do urge you to exclaim ‘Fuck it!’ and to go to Stirling for the night. It’s only around  a half hour train journey, and with hostel rooms for about a tenner, and drinks and entry cheaper than anywhere in Glasgow, you’re likely to return with more change in your pocket than you would after a jaunt to Subclub.

But if you really can’t bear to tear yourself away from the comfort of your own city, you’re in luck; Filth may soon be right on your doorstep. Andy is initially somewhat elusive when asked if there are plans to expand to Glasgow, my question met with only “Oh, there are plans”. Eventually, however, he reveals that as of September, we can look forward to a collaboration with the wonderful Killer Kitsch for a regular event, and Andy feels optimistic that this endeavour will prove as much a success as the Stirling nights;

‘There’s so much competition through there, but I think with our fan base and passion, and Killer Kitsch’s experience, we could have a winning formula.’

With the ambition these guys have, I wouldn’t be surprised if Filth became as big in Glasgow as it is in Stirling.

For upcoming events, have a nosey at their Facebook page by clicking on Filth

[Abbey Shaw]

Around Glasgow II

Barras Market

Down past Trongate and the edge of Glasgow Green, far away from the West End bubble, lies the magical world of Glasgow’s famous Barras Market. The Barras isn’t sexy – it’s not even all that clean – but it sure is fun.

The market starts as you pass under a big metal banner bearing its name, and continues as a maze of shops and stalls, inside and outside. Traders sell packets of tobacco out of their fists, fruit and veg sellers shout for customers, stall holders patter away, and children ask you to go into the off licence for them.

Amongst this metropolis of stalls there are DVDs, furniture, books, clothes, electronics, nick-nacks. Basically, anything you might want. Plus, attached to the market is the Barrowland Ballroom, which hosts gigs for reasonably famous bands all year round. The Barras is not glamorous, and it’s more than a little rough around the edges, but the Barras is a beating heart of timeless Glasgow culture, and all the banter that goes with it. You won’t find specialist cheese and cigar shops like those on Great Western Road, and it’s all the more fun because of that. The West End is great, but it’s not the real world. In contrast, the Barras offers you a labyrinth of shop stalls, manned by real Glasgow people, complete with missing teeth and that unique Glasgow humour. [TW]

Underground Glasgow

Despite the misleading title, this article isn’t about the joys of the Glasgow Subway, although it is fantastic and well worth the money. Instead, I’d like to let you know about some of the more… hidden places you can seek out and discover all around our fair city.

For instance, did you know that way back in 1896, a railway station was opened in the Botanic Gardens? Closed for passengers around the start of World War 2, and then closed fully in 1964, the station is still accessible if you know where to go. I would like to point out that whilst it is not illegal to enter the premises, thanks to the Scottish ‘right to roam’ laws, the site is considered dangerous. Myself, qmunicate and the Queen Margaret Union do not accept responsibility if you get run over by a ghost train, or the like.

For the less adventurous, there’s room 256 in the Kelvin Building of our own fair University. Seriously, go check it out. It’s the office of a Dr. J. Malkovich. If you are a bit confused by this, check out the movie “Being John Malkovich”.

There are loads of other strange and hidden places all over Glasgow, just get out there and don’t be afraid to have a good explore. If this has sparked your interest, check out websites about ‘Urbzing’ for all sorts of destinations and ideas. [KA]

GoMA

Folks from Edinburgh may disagree with this, but Glasgow culture is one of the best in Britain. Glasgow’s famous for its art and it’s got galleries to match. Although there are many fantastic options, the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) particularly stands out.

The best-looking thing in the Merchant City used to be the town house of a tobacco lord, and has been a bank and a library before becoming the art gallery we know and love in 1996. GoMA has been fantastic in displaying the work of great Glaswegian artists like John Bellany and Ken Currie, as well as bigger names from elsewhere like Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Sebastian Salgado.

GoMA is also in possession of an unofficial symbol of the city. Standing outside the Gallery is Duke Wellington’s statue, but to you and me its ‘the statue with the traffic cone on its head’. You can see it on postcards, you can see it on T-shirts and you can see the smirk it brings to people walking past it. [AM]

Burrell Collection and Pollok House

Glasgow’s had it fair share of rich philanthropists, but you’d be hard pressed to find one who gave as generously and extensively as William Burrell. Will used to be a shipping magnate and earned piles of dollar with which he collected exotic artefacts, art masterpieces and historical relics from all over the world. Known as The Burrell Collection, these pieces are housed for all to come see in a custom-built museum on the Pollok Estate.

Just over the hill from the Burrell Collection is Pollok House, a Georgian mansion modernised and filled with more ace stuff. In its beautiful granite walls you can find a large collection of Spanish art and paintings by William Blake. Antiques and glassware litter the House for your perusal and you can nip to either of the shops or dine in their restaurant if you fancy. If it’s fresh air your after, you can stroll around the extensive gardens, which feature over 1,000 types of Rhodedendrons.

A veritable haven of culture sits on the Pollock Estate and it’s definitely worth the journey to take a look. [PE]

A map of these places can be seen HERE 

Around Glasgow

Necropolis

OK, so maybe the prospect of hanging out in a totally massive graveyard in central Glasgow isn’t initially appealing (unless you’re into Marilyn Manson or like to pretend you’re a vampire) but the Glasgow Necropolis is truly beautiful.

Situated on a low hill just east of the city centre, the impressive main entrance is across a bridge from St. Mungo’s Cathedral, which became known as the ‘Bridge of Sighs’, as it was part of the usual funeral procession route into the cemetery. The Necropolis was established in 1833, and is a well-preserved portrait of Victorian Glasgow. Paths wind up the hill past some beautiful old gravestones to the top, and from the peak, one gets a great panorama of the city.

There are plenty of other impressive pieces of stonework to be seen, but the coolest thing about the Necropolis is that you’re given some much needed breathing space in the midst of busy Glasgow. For those who are really keen, there are a number of dates on which ‘Walking Tours’ of the Necropolis are available, and further details on these can be found at http://www.glasgownecropolis.org. The Necropolis is honestly not as weird to hang about in as you might expect. Just try not to be there when the zombie apocalypse hits. [AB]

Botanic Gardens

Built in the 19th Century, the big, impressive-looking greenhouse near the main entrance was restored in recent years from its original timber frame to a longer-lasting steel one.

The gardens are a beautiful spot in which to relax on a sunny day, although it may be difficult to find a patch of grass that isn’t covered with sunbathers. on a rainy day, pop into the Glasshouses and check out the fantastic array of unusual tropical plants.

The gardens are open daily from 7:00 am till dusk; however the Glasshouses are only open from 10:00am-6:00pm. A recently renovated café has a whole host of snacks at reasonable prices. The Gardens are a great place for a jog, with many paths to choose. Summer flowers, in full bloom, make the run even more beautiful.

Futhermore, there’s a kids play park and also a vegetable garden which kids can go and help plant. Take a look at the noticeboard at the Byres Road entrance to see whether any of their summer activities interest you. If you have nothing to do on a summer’s day, go and play some Frisbee or just past the time by lounging in the sun. [MB]

Ruthven Lane and Mews

Go to Ruthven Lane for a wander about with a couple of hours to kill and come out twenty pounds lighter – leaving with a stuffed otter, a collection of old Boney M LPs,
and a hat made entirely of yellow felt – feeling like the trendiest guy on campus.

Hidden away just off Byres Road, Ruthven Lane is Ashton Lane’s eccentric older cousin: furnishing your flat, revolutionising your vintage wardrobe and creating a rare-book or vinyl collection to the envy of any lecturer, uber-geek or literary fascist. Don’t go to Ruthven Lane with a shopping list – go with a tenner in your wallet and an open mind. Visit places like Relics Junk Shop, City Centre Comics, Starry Starry Night, Play It Again Records, or Circa Vintage. Then have lunch in Stravaigin 2, the Bothy or DiMaggio’s.

As I ambled through, I found myself buying a cheap acoustic guitar, a Complete Aerial History of the Gulf War, and an Oor Wullie annual from the 1970s. I have no need for such items, but love them nonetheless. Cobbled, drafty and a bit backwards – Ruthven Lane is a hive of interesting shops and hipster vintage fun. [SI]

Glasgow’s Parklands

The name Glasgow comes from the Gaelic Glaschu, dear green place. The city is infamous as a place of urban gritty industrial glory, but a lot of grass is hidden amongst the sandstone and iron.

If you’re in the West End, you’ll have probably come across the Botanic Gardens and Kelvingrove Park already, but travel a little further afield and you will be rewarded. Alexandra Parade Park (easily accessible by train and bus from Old Dumbarton Road) is a real gem just east of the city centre. It boasts a beautifully restored iron fountain from the 1901 International Exhibition, a 9 hole golf course, and stunning views of Ben Lomond and the Tinto Hills from the highest point of the park.

Another of the East End’s chlorophyll heavy treasures is Glasgow Green. This park hosts a great kids’ play park as well as the People’s Palace. The Palace was founded with the explicit intention of documenting the lives of ordinary people, rather than your kings and queens. Just across the road, inside the gorgeous Templeton’s Carpet Factory, you can find the West Brewery – a perfect place to wind up your day trip. [NB]

A map of all these places can be found HERE

Scotland, Gateway To Space?

When this was first brought to my attention a few weeks ago, my first thought was ‘Scotland: The Final Frontier’. Yes, I am that geeky. However, upon looking into the situation a bit further, in reality its more like ‘Houston, we have a problem’.
 
To give you some background, Virgin Galactic, part of Richard Branson’s behemoth of a company, are looking to set up a commercial spaceport. This would allow them to offer trips into space for $200,000, or about £127,000 in British money. A total bargain? Considering the adventure only gets you about 5 minutes of weightlessness, it’s not exactly pocket change, but this being Virgin I’m sure you can get a discount if you take their broadband and TV package.