One of my earliest memories is set in Springburn shopping centre in Glasgow. Not because it’s a place of profound beauty (it isn’t) but because it’s where I first discovered what it meant to belong.
My folks and I were sitting on a bench, fresh-faced from a life-changing move that 5 year old me was oblivious to. All I knew is that people here spoke a different language, I didn’t know it, and for some reason many of those that I loved dearly weren’t here. It felt lonely.
It’s odd to think that, what was for my parents the most…
Pick and mix for adults is a thing!
“YES!” responds the poker-faced gentleman behind the counter. This was fantastic news — my veggie pal had asked if their broth was vegetarian. And apparently it is. Although I’d read somewhere that Taiwanese hot pot was made with chicken bones, and then somewhere else that, sometimes, big boned pigs like to get involved. On occasion they even use both kinds. And whilst vegetarian broths also exist, it literally says chicken above the window. So I double check.
“YES!” he says. “Yes, yes, chicken broth!” Now I’m confused because as far as I’ve…
Originally for GlasgowLive.com
Cafes that serve rubbish coffee. What’s that all about? I mean fair enough if you walk into a shoe shop demanding a flat white, but this ain’t no shoe shop and no offence but you ‘only had one job’ as the kids say. It’s just that a cup of good coffee can provide such simple moments of pleasure in life — and paying £2.50 for a bad one is quite harrowing.
Saying that, having done a 7-year stint in my parents long gone cafe, there really are few things worse than some pre-caffeinated loony pestering you with…
We’re living through a mental health crisis catalysed by social media. Is it time to say goodbye?
‘It’s called self-discipline!’ people would tell me. ‘Just stop using it’. But I couldn’t stop using it. Social media is so thoroughly ingrained into our culture that I wasn’t capable of comfortably living without it. Other than being a hugely useful networking tool, it was the small things; I felt like I’d be missing out on banter, on invites to parties. It even crossed my mind that people could say horrible things about me, and I wouldn’t know. I was an addict.
It worries me to see my little sister, only 12 years young, so very obviously addicted as well…
A dark year, getting her mojo back and the best of Scottish banter — Nina Nesbitt chats with Fat
My interview with Nina Nesbitt was scheduled for 7pm at The Art School in Garnethill; a brilliant venue but in an area so vertical, you need a harness, rope and helmet to make it safely to the top.
Arriving early, just as her ‘meet and greet’ event was taking place, I befriended a woman who told me she’s been a fan from the beginning.
“Did you see that?” she asked me. “She’s a pop star but still gave me her time and spoke with me as if we’ve always been pals.”
And she’s the same with everyone she meets.
It…
Sometimes nothing hits the spot like a Nando’s — it’s cheap, it’s cheerful and it’s chicken. But what if we told you some of Glasgow’s Michelin-recommended restaurants were cheaper? Mind blown?
We’ve added up an average meal for one at the fast food favourite, to a total of just over £20, and compared that to some of the city’s best fine dining spots — and the results might surprise you. All five of the choices below were compared to a Nando’s receipt for red pepper dip (£3.60), butterfly burger with sides (£12.60) and carrot cake (£4.60), totalling £20.80.
And while…
Let’s stop for a minute and talk about this ‘Plantation’ the radio keeps going on about…
You hear it mentioned on the traffic and travel updates when you’re in the car: “M8 eastbound building through Plantation and it’ll ease once you’re over the Kingston Bridge”.
Will it, aye? But what — and where — is Plantation?!
I caught up with Clyde 1’s travel presenter, Cassi, who said the question follows her around wherever she goes.
“It’s the first thing people ask me about when I’m out now.
“There’s always that one person who wants to discuss Plantation,” she said…
Deep into the Scottish woods; a proud, utterly bonkers, pineapple-shaped mansion. You can’t help but laugh at the sight.
My friends have been tagging me in pineapple related posts since a night out in 2015, when I drunkenly nicked one from a cocktail bar. It followed us wherever we went that night, proudly making it’s way around Glasgow’s establishments. Somebody had even taken it home and brought it into work the following day — where it then sat on my desk wearing sunglasses for a few weeks.
‘Scotland’s Model Teenager’, Connor Newall, and brother Andrew chat about their rise to stardum.
“I could be the Brad Pitt of modelling, but I haven’t got a clue which clothes are stylish.”
Govan boy Connor Newall is refreshingly down to earth for someone so in demand.
The 19-year-old won an army of new fans when he appeared on BBC One earlier this year in Scotland’s Model Teenager.
He has agents all around the world, magazines clamouring to get him on their covers and has modelled for some the world’s biggest clothing brands.
Catching up with him and his brother after…
It’s a lonely “Table for One?” at my favourite family run restaurant in Glasgow. Reviewers on TripAdvisor invariably describe it as a ‘hidden gem’; small and unassuming yet serving food so luscious, so decadent, you feel compelled to hug all the staff.
During tonight’s evening service I see Beton* — the normally cheerful owner — become visibly anxious. The last remaining table was due to arrive 20 minutes ago and they’re not picking up the phone. “Maybe their taxi is late” he tells his waiters.
Beton is a generous man; trusting, honest. A family walk in hoping to have something…
Fat
Radio and telly presenter. Columnist. Documentary junkie. Specialise in being silly but do news-y things as well.
