Thursday, March 20, 2008

The blood taxis of Gartnavel


Why, I asked the taxi driver, was there always a wee flock of black cabs parked up behind the Pond Hotel, next to Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow? "Those are the Blood Taxis" he said.

Seems the blood bank at Gartnavel provides emergency blood supplies for much of southern Scotland, and the favoured mode of transport is black cab.

"All over Glasgow, and much further too" said my driver. "Fife, Kilmarnock."

They don't JUST handle blood, obviously. They do flesh AND blood, so if you're staying The Pond and phone for a cab, it's usually there in approximately 30 seconds.

I can feel a documentary coming on...

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