The Lighthouse.

First up for review/grilling is Scotland's Centre for Design and Architecture (it must be true it says so on their site), The Lighthouse which if their PR is correct acts as "a beacon for the creative industries in Scotland and promotes design and architecture through a vibrant programme of exhibitions and events."

But how will it fair on the Autie-ometer?

The venue is lovely and (surprisingly) spacious with a nice calm atmosphere - tho' it was 10:30 on a Saturday morning so that might change - simple and easily read signage is a boon (tho' it'd be a bloody poor show if all their information was shoddily printed on A4 sheets in comic sans wouldn't it?) as is the lovely blue lighting on the escalators.

There are 6 levels featuring a variety of different exhibitions (with level 3 given over to Charles Rennie Mackintosh (this was his first commission apparently which left me feeling a wee bit jealous as my first one was a nude drawing of Debbie Gibson way back in 1986) which also features a massive spiral staircase (seriously it seems to stretch to the moon) that leads out to a brilliant open air observation platform overlooking the city.

For the more nervous explorer there is also an (enclosed) viewing gallery on level 6.

Beware the lift tho' as it has doors that open both sides which caused a bit of confusion.

A surprisingly dry Glasgow.

Toilets aren't the most spacious but there are plenty of them and the one I used had quiet dryers which is a plus and Doocot Café Bar on level 5 was spacious and friendly tho' it was playing Ryan Adams so it loses points for that.

But what of the staff?

Were they in (Autie) tune with this whole awareness thing or would they fall short? 

Unfortunately as friendly as they were no-one on the information desk knew anything about Autism Awareness month or their Autism Friendly status so suggested that I email the person in charge on Monday when they'd be available to answer my questions.

Which no doubt translates as send my the same old PR bumf about early openings and Autism-friendly interfaces.

It's kinda frustrating to get this kind of reply - I mean if a wheelchair user trundled up and asked for the accessibility points only to be told to come back Monday there'd be an uproar.

And rightly so.

Most likely someone would complain about a wheelchair being described as 'trundling' too but you can't have everything.

A rather disappointing start to the day if I'm honest.

Would Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art (or GoMA as the cool kids call it) fair any better?