The Glasgow Fair is a holiday during the last fortnight in July in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. 'The Fair' is the oldest of a number of similar holidays, dating from the 12th century. Originally, Glasgow fair was held during the second and third week in July before moving in the 1970s.
Until as recently as the 1960s, most local businesses and factories would close on 'Fair Friday' and workers and their families would use the opportunity to travel for holidays in the local area, typically in the Firth of Clyde or Ayrshire coast. This practice became known as going "doon the watter" (literally "down the water" in Glasgow dialect).
Read more about Glasgow Fair: The Fair
Famous quotes containing the words glasgow and/or fair:
“I was always a feminist, for I liked intellectual revolt as much as I disliked physical violence. On the whole, I think women have lost something precious, but have gained, immeasurably, by the passing of the old order.”
—Ellen Glasgow (1873–1945)
“O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!
The courtier’s, soldier’s, scholar’s,eye, tongue, sword,
Th’ expectancy and rose of the fair state,
The glass of fashion and the mold of form,
Th’ observed of all observers, quite, quite down!”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)