OH yes they chuckled, but we in Glasgow had the last laugh when the city was European City of Culture in 1990. There were 3,500 public events, 40 major works commissioned, and 60 world premieres in theatre, dance and music, helping to turn the world's perception of Glasgow from a grey slum to a vibrant colourful destination. I recall one West End pub which put a guitar on a stand in the corner to get a late night licence as it had a live performance. If anyone asked, they were told the performer was on a break and would return soon. He never appeared.

Here is the Glasgow Independent Dance Troupe performing the "Underground Project" at Ibrox subway station in front of a bemused child for goodness knows what reason. There was a lot of that went on and we all loved and embraced the sheer daftness of it all.