Partick

Partick is a busy and vibrant part of Glasgow, and this stop heralds a change in character in the areas visited as you come north of the River Clyde once more and begin to approach the city centre. It is another one of those places that is mentioned occasionally down the sweep of history.

This part of the city used to have one particular claim to fame, namely that it was home to another Glasgow footballing institution, Partick Thistle (a.k.a. 'The Jags'), a small football team who last season finished bottom of the Scottish PremierLeague (but may or may not be relegated), and for whom everyone seems to have a fondness (not supporters as such, just "fond". Why? - nobody knows, but it is a "puppy in a sack about to be thrown into the river" kind of feeling). However, Sub-bers will search for their stadium in vain - the club has been based in Maryhill for the last ninety or so years.

Directions: out the station and immediately turn left. You have a bus station to the right and a path past some shops in front of you. Up the road to the top and you come on to the vibrant shopping area that is Dumbarton Road; turn left and walk down towards the bridge. The Hayburn Vaults is a few short yards on the left.

There are two parts to this pub. The lounge bar is down a short corridor by the left hand entrance. This used to be decked out as a failed eighties night club, but has since mutated into a echo chamber with rather too many red pseudo-leather seats and a dominating pool table. We suggest you stick to the main bar. The main bar is big and roomy with table alcoves around the outside and a big square bar dominating the centre. Good selection of drink and there is yet another TV showing sport in at least one corner. Our one gripe about this bar is that, like the Brechin Bar in Govan, it could be really nice if only it was kept clean. Ground-in dirt just doesn't do it for this writer, especially as you get the feeling there's a nice tiled floor underneath it all.
	Hayburn Vaults (427-429 Dumbarton Road, G11 6DD. Tel. 0141 339 1240)
Other pubs: Our correspondent Kenneth writes that there are at least two alternative pubs at this stop, namely The Ettrick (Dumbarton Road, G11 6AL. Tel. 0141 576 0130/2) and The Smiddy Bar (309 Dumbarton Road, G11. Tel. 0141 576 0042). However we haven't had a chance to try them out yet. However on a recent crawl we found a great wee pub all by ourselves . . . Turn right into Dumbarton Road from the station and after about a hundred yards cross the road and take a left onto the tiny Fortrose Street. The Fiddlers is a nice wee modern bar with slate floor. A cosy little boozer, which doesn't boast a great selection of beer but makes up for it with a decent range of whiskies and a threat-free drinking environment. There is a mirrored ceiling above the bar (to discourage naughty drinking by bar staff?). On our visit there was a strong feminine presence, encouraged perhaps by the sweet dispensers, art on walls, flowers on tables and K T Tunstall on the juke box. One for the girls to chill out in.
	The Fiddlers (10 Fortrose Street, G11 5NS Tel. 0141 339 7406))

Right: Action shot of one of the underground trains shooting out of the tunnel at high speed. How very Freudian.

It is usually about now (if you started at St Enoch's) that you begin to question your sanity, as well as your ability to consume more alcohol. Also, if you are in a large group (10 or more), it is usually about now you start to lose people, as the bonds of comradeship become (temporarily) loosened by alcohol. You may find you have some "sippers", for example, who want to go a bit slower at this point. Or AIMS (see Cessnock) may finally have become too much for a few, who either wander off in search of a McDonalds, or never make it past the chippy near the entrance to the station (Dom's, which is superb, by the way). But don't worry, they'll be back . . .

Did You Know . . . Partick Underground station was previously named Merkland Street?