We have the option to stay at Babbity Bowster or The Kelvin Hotel (B&B) in Glasgow.
We are 2 couples in our 50's. I have read a lot about Babbity Bowster, now I am wondering if the area is too noisy at night. We like pubs and music, but wonder if sleeping would be a problem there. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Topping - any input on Babbity Bowster?

Many thanks!

Take a chance. "Scotland the Best" says "one of the best and earliest places for Sunday Breakfast" "This lat 18th century town house was pivotal in the redevleopment of the Merchant City and famous for its bar and beer garden" "Always good crack" " the food is mainly metioned for its Scottishness"

The Kelvin Hotel, OTOH doesn't get a mention

OMG! I would stay there just to have the pleasure of telling people back home the name of the place I stayed!
Babbity Bowster...what does it mean?

Babbity Bowster is a Scottish country dance.

BTW - "Scotland the Best" by Peter Irvine that Sheila mentions is my "bible" when it comes to planning my trips to Scotland. It is the absolutely most comprehensive resource. If Peter says Babbity Bowster is good - that would be good enough for me . . . .

Thank you janis!!

This site is amazing. Janis's answer triggered memories of a Nursery Rhyme I learned as a child, called "Ba' ba' Babbity".

I can't find the words tho'.

There's a picture of Babbity Bowster on this site which also has the words of the nursery rhyme

http://www.rampantscotland.com/poetr...ms_bowster.htm

Hi Antionette,

It depends what you're looking for - do you want to be in the City Centre or would you rather be out in a quieter area?
Babbity Bowster is in the heart of the Merchant City (Glasgow's "trendy" historic area)& very convenient for shops bars & restaurants. The Kelvin Hotel, on the other hand, is more towards the West End of the city & would require a bus into the City Centre, but on the plus side buses will be plentiful. The Kelvin's main draw is probably its proximity to the excellent Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, but this closed just recently for a long-term renovation so I'm not sure that the Kelvin's location wins any points just now.

Yes, Babbity Bowster probably will be in a noisier area (particularly at weekends) but the street itself is actually pretty quiet & so I think you'll be OK.

Whereas the Kelvin Hotel is fairly typical of hotels anywhere, Babbity Bowster is something different. It's more of an old-fashioned inn & although I've drank in the bar many times I've never actually seen the rooms - by all accounts they are charming, however.

I hope this helps.

Hi Sheila,

I remember this rhyme as Bee Baw Babbity. For the words & some real nostalgia, have a look at members.lycos.co.uk/govanchildhood/nancy.htm

Absolutely. And I can still sing it

Bee baw babbity,
Babbity, babbity
Bee baw babbity
Kiss the bonnie wee lassie

I surely hope you're not at the office , Sheila!!

when am I ever not?

Just keep running around singing that and they'll send you right home for a rest!!!

Sheila, will someone sing that to me at night when my head is full of moving plans?
Will the Yankee put me in the Home for the Weary if I wander around the house humming under my breath, Babbity Babbity?

Shiela,

How could you - now I'll have that song running round my head for the rest of the day! What happened to the White Heather Club now that we need it?

JJB

Antionette,

Sorry, but I've realised that I misinformed you in my previous posting re the Kelvin Hotel - I confused it with a different hotel named the Kelvin Park Lorne.

When I described it as being "fairly typical of hotels anywhere", I was describing the Kelvin Park Lorne & not the Kelvin, which is actually a smaller & cosier place.

Having said that the other points in my previous posting re location etc. still hold true & my vote would still go to Babbity Bowster.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Jim

I've been to the BB twice, once for breakfast and once for an evening of pubbing. The breakfast was very nice indeed - they started serving at 8 AM as I recall. Got my grease fix for the day. (Really, it was good and traditional.) Another time I went there for and evening of swilling and that too was good - nice people, some good "crack" (conversations), lively music. This was in 1999, it was a cool place then. I had a flat nearby so didn't stay there, but can't imagine it being very quiet at night - it would basically be a couple of floors of rooms above a pub. The time I went there for breakfast I remember talking to a couple who were staying there and they said it was basic and OK and not particularly quiet. The staff were friendly and nice; the building itself is historic (listed, I think); the location is on the edge of the Merchant City/city center and better than something in the West End towards the university.

A babbity bowster is some form of a Scots jig, or so I think.