All roads lead to Glasgow for Penilee explorer Michael Slavin

Mar 19 2009 By Peter Carroll

MIchael Slavin

A CITY adventurer will set sail across the Atlantic on a quest to track down American destinations named Glasgow.

Retired computer programmer Michael Slavin, from Pennilee, will visit at least 20 US cities, towns and communities that share the same name as our Dear Green Place.

The Glasgow explorer met with the city's Lord Provost, Bob Winter, this week to present the civic leader with a picture of a 'Welcome to Glasgow Oregon' road sign.

The cross country trip, getting underway on board the Queen Mary in Southampton on Wednesday, April 8, will take Michael to Glasgows in Kentucky, Virginia and Montana among others.

Michael's US Glasgow hunt will take the best part of a year, but why is he doing it?

He said: "The way I see it. It's better than sitting watching Countdown.

"It all begins with the Queen Mary on April 8, when I sail from Southampton to New York. Coincidently the ship has a Glasgow connection. There used to be a Clyde steamer called the Queen Mary II in the fifties.

"It may seem a little self-indulgent but I am sure it will be fascinating.

"I'm also going to be documenting how these place names came about. I reckon it will take meat least a year."

Michael, 67, admits author Bill Bryson partly inspired the adventure with his best-selling books 'Notes from a Small Island' and 'The Lost Continent'.

Asked what his brother, Farther Willy Slavin of St Peter's Church, Partick, thought about his plans, Michael said: "I guess he is like all big brothers and thinks it is a bit selfish."

The Lord Provost, who met with Michael and Willie on Tuesday, said: "It sounds like great fun. Glasgow, Scotland, is of course, an original.

"In the words of Robert Burns 'Wha's Like Us?' It is a great opportunity to promote our city and there couldn't be a more appropriate time than this homecoming year.

He added: "I wish Michael the very best of luck on his journey and he takes with him the good wishes of our citizens."

To follow Mike on his trip go to: http://mikeslavinglasgow.blogspot.com/