Glasgow and Loch Lomond - what shall we do?

[CheeseyBeano]

And shall we take the high road or the low road?

Going to Scotland for a few days between Christmas and New Year with a 10 year old. Any suggestions for things to do?

The Science Museum in Glasgow is good. Lots of lovely museums generally. If the weather is good some walks would be nice as it's beautiful round there.

Thanks! Do you mean walks at Loch Lomond, or in Glasgow? We're more city strollers than mountain hikers.

Should have clarified, we're staying in the Loch Lomond area and are thinking Glasgow could be a good place to visit on the way.

The transport museum in Glasgow is fantastic and free( as are all public museums in Scotland) You could climb Ben Lomond or a smaller hill but only if the weather allows and you take notice of the Mountain rescue advice. There is so much to do

Falls of falloch
Fort augustus

I was thinking Loch Lomond. Seems a shame not to get out into the countryside! But it really isn't the best time of year so if it's not really your thing then maybe not. If it was spring/summer I'd suggest a walk up Conic Hill to get a view of the Highland fault line.

You could keep yourself very happily busy in Glasgow doing cultural things.

We'll certainly take wellies and will want to see some of the beautiful countryside but we're not fit enough or well equipped enough for something like Ben Nevis.

Fort Augustus looks fun, that's the type of outdoorsy stuff we like, a bit historical (ideally with a tea shop and a short stroll from the car park ). Wrong loch though, it would be too far to go from Loch Lomond.

Depending where you are, Stirling Castle is a nice day out too.

Which end/side of Loch Lomond are you staying?

We're staying near Aberfoyle, if that helps!

Liming is lovely - walk up Ben Lomond and visit Luss (where Take the Highroad was filmed). There is a reasonable hotel in Luss called The Lodge which has Swiss chalet style rooms with steam rooms, saunas and I think some have jacuzzis built into the decking that hangs over the edge of the loch.

All Glasgow Life museums are free & i would thoroughly recommend the Riverside Museum (Transport Museum) and Kelvingrove. There's so much to see in KG in particular, it's got such a diverse collection.

The West End generally is a great area to visit (not that i'm biased in the least ) ... Lots to do in the City Centre too - excellent shopping etc.

The Queen Elizabeth forest park near Aberfoyle is really nice and you could also go to Loch Katrine and Rob Roy's grave. Not sure how much is accessible this time of year though, as I've only been in May or September!

Stirling is really nice and you're not that far from Edinburgh either.

Loads to do in Glasgow.

Yes to QE Forest Park, lots to do there. Stirling Castle also worth a visit and the Wallace Monument. Also maybe drive up to Killin, its a small town with lovely waterfalls in the middle. We also like Mugdock Country Park just outside Glasgow. The Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies are not too far away either.

Will you have a car? I would drive up over the Rest and Be l and down to Colintraive and get the five mini wee ferry to Bute - just so you can say you’ve done an island -, do sea spotting st Scalpsie Bay. have fish and chips from Zavaronis in the front, visit Mount Stuart House then get the big ferry back to Wemyss Bay and drove back to Glasgow.

*seal

If you're near aberfoyle a trip to Go Ape would keep you busy for a few hours.

goape.co.uk/

Kelvingrove Museum is well worth visiting. The 10 year old will probably enjoy a trip on the Glasgow Underground (it's smaller than a normal train and bright orange).

I wouldn’t be going up Ben Lomond unless you’re experienced walkers and have good map skills. It’s a relatively easy walk in good weather but in winter it’s a serious mountain with potentially snow at the summit.

If outdoors is your thing there are lovely low level walks around Aberfoyle. In Glasgow I’d echo the Science Centre, any of the parks and certainly the transport museum.

Aberfoyle isn’t really Loch Lomond. It is nice but is far away from Balloch/ Luss where you are actually at the loch and can see it/ go on boats/ beaches/ trips to the islands etc.

Kelvingrove is the museum to go to if you only have a day in Glasgow and it’s in the west end with lots of nice places for lunch nearby.

Don't miss the Christmas market and fairground rides in George Square- the carousel is lovely!

If you are in Aberfoyle, you can go to the forest lodge up behind the town. It has a nice coffee shop, exhibit space, great views. If you walk around the front of the building it will lead you on an easy forest walk, with art pieces and children's activities leading to a waterfall. It's a lovely stroll. The tearoom at Brig O Turk is nice and you can also walk up into Glen Finglas...or walk around Loch Katrine for as much as you want. ..
Or have a lovely spa day at Forest Hills Hotel...
Lots to do in the area.

We stayed on Loch Lomond a couple of summers ago and didn't have great weather
So we spent time in the Transport Museum, Kelvingrove and the Science Centre. We also went out to Falkirk for the wheel there and canal and also loved just sitting on the Loch.

Beautiful place and can not wait to go back some time

Mother India for some food when in Glasgow. There's one out near the Kelvingrove Museum.

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