• Christmas in St Mary’s (with a twist at the end)

    Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, and there is perhaps no better place to experience the magic of the season than at St Mary’s Cathedral in the Scottish Episcopal Church. With its stunning architecture and rich history, this beautiful space offers a truly special and meaningful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

    One of the highlights of a Christmas service at St Mary’s Cathedral is the music. The cathedral’s choir is known for their beautiful voices and their ability to bring the festive carols to life. The church also features a grand organ, which adds a sense of grandeur and majesty to the service. Whether you’re a fan of traditional carols or more modern hymns, you’re sure to be moved by the beautiful music at St Mary’s Cathedral.

    Another highlight of a Christmas service at St Mary’s Cathedral is the sense of history and tradition. The cathedral dates back to the 19th century and is known for its stunning Gothic architecture. The service itself is filled with rich traditions, such as the lighting of the Advent wreath and the reading of the Christmas story from the Bible. These traditions help to create a sense of awe and wonder that is so fitting for the holiday season.

    But perhaps the most special aspect of a Christmas service at St Mary’s Cathedral is the sense of community and togetherness. As people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus, there is a feeling of unity and love that is truly special. Whether you’re a lifelong member of the cathedral or a newcomer to the community, you’ll feel welcome and included in the celebration.

    In short, Christmas services at St Mary’s Cathedral in the Scottish Episcopal Church are a truly special and meaningful way to celebrate the holiday season. With their beautiful music, rich traditions, and sense of community, these services offer a chance to experience the magic and wonder of Christmas in a truly special and meaningful way.

    If you’ve made it through this blog post this far and you have a slight sense that there’s something odd about it the you’d be correct. The post above, not in italics wasn’t written by me. It was written by a machine – specifically the ChatGPT bot that has recently been released to the world. You tell  it what you want it to write and it does it.

    This one was generated by the prompt, “Write a blog post about how wonderful Christmas services are at St Mary’s Cathedral in the Scottish Episcopal Church”.

    Now, it doesn’t sound quite like me and it isn’t the most exciting writing there is. Perhaps it is even slightly stilted. But it is a fairly convincing attempt at the problem I gave it to do.

    This technology is going to make all things new. Academia in particular is going to have to change very quickly in the way it assesses students.

    This is disruptive technology. It can be used to do funny things – I could just have easily got it to write the above post in the voice of Donald Trump.

    Thus: “Let me tell you, folks, this place is amazing. The music is absolutely incredible, with the choir singing all of your favorite carols in the most beautiful way. And the organ! Wow, what a sound. It’s truly something to behold…”

    But this isn’t just entertainment. It is something completely and utterly new. Nothing you ever read again comes with a guarantee that it was written by a human being.

    The world is changed. As someone once sent with a telegraph key, “What hath God wrought”?

12 responses to “Places to Eat?”

  1. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Thanks Kelvin – you’re a star!

    Suggestions now welcome.

    Yours

    Steven

    1. kelvin Avatar

      Note a couple of replies via twitter: Mother India (for curry) and Feast

  2. Blair Robertson Avatar
    Blair Robertson

    Guys in Candleriggs, Merchant City. Only place where you’ll find sushi, fish & chips, steaks and pasta on the same menu; their Glasgow Tapas is a hoot.

  3. Pam Richmond Avatar
    Pam Richmond

    try the Cafe Hula opposite the Theatre Royal. Leave hotel, turn right towards theatre, cross road. Relaxed place, nice food and atmosphere.

  4. Beth Avatar

    Cafe Rouge is a nice wee French place in Royal Exchange Square (down Buchanan Street and turn left at the All Saints shop). Kama Sutra for good Indian, particularly recommend the lunch buffet, about ten minutes walk along Sauchiehall Street going west.

  5. Martin Ritchie Avatar
    Martin Ritchie

    Agree with Pam that Cafe Hula is a good and also endearingly quirky.

  6. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Thanks Kelvin and to all who posted suggestions. I am really looking forward to the PCN conference and a chance to explore Glasgow – the next thing i’m after is a good book shop!

    1. kelvin Avatar

      Waterstones on Sauchihall Street is the best you are going to find close to where you are staying.

      Catholics books from St Paul’s bookshop in Royal Exchange Square.

      Second-hand from the Oxfam bookshop in Byers Road, if you venture to the West End.

  7. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Hard to beat the Cornerstone Bookshop below St. John’s in Edinburgh! The last time I was there Margaret made me tea and gave my children Ribena – an act of great faith in a bookshop believe you me…

  8. Ruth Avatar
    Ruth

    Second hand bookshops Voltaire & Rousseau in Otago Lane and Caledonia Books on Great Western Rd

  9. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Just a quick thanks for all suggestions.

    Really loving Glasgow – might even topple Edinburgh as my favourite city break. Real buzz. Wonderful burger in hula – Dali at museum – quirky hotel – books galore – wonderful conference – and now a mojito and off to bed!

  10. Andrew Avatar

    The Pottery at Drymen is great if you want to go that far – good conventional food, excellent service, reasonable prices and no muzak!

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