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?

Lake of Menteith is not far from you and you can get a boat to an abbey (I think it's an abbey) on the island in the middle. Although the roads weren't great due to flooding today, so I hope you have better weather when you get here. The Station cafe in Aberfoyle itself is really good, and the wool centre is fun for a visit on the weekends as well.

We stayed at loch lomond and done loch ness in a day and drive to skye for a day. It's worth a drive tbh.

I think Ben Lochmond might be a bit much midwinter with kids, although the park by the shores of the Loch is lovely for a stroll, by main car park (there are lots of lovely walks by shore all round Loch).

For an achievable hill climb, how about the Dumpling near Gartocharn?
It is about half an hour up and then down- with a stunning view of the loch and all the hills.

www.walkhighlands.co.uk/lochlomond/duncryne.shtml

I agree Isle of Bute lovely for a day trip, although I think it’s nicer to go in the summer.
The tenement museum in Glasgow is one of my favourites and I think good for children- small but powerful and time travel like.

There's a place in Balloch called Loch Lomond Shores which is a cross between a shopping centre a tourist attraction. It includes a Bird of Prey Centre which is small but very interesting and an aquarium. You can get cruises on the Loch from here and certainly in the summer can hire rowing boats etc.
Another possibility is a trip on a sea plane. Our DD lives in the Highlands and we drive past Loch Lomond to visit. There is a board advertising sea plane trips about half way along the Loch and whenever we pass at least one person in the family says "Ooh that sounds exciting, we must try that one day". We haven't yet though but it does sound good!
Enjoy your trip. It is a beautiful part of the world.

lochlomondshores.com/ Lots of fun activities to do here plus sealife centre

We went two years running between chri and new year to g,as gos and took a drive around Loch Lomond..with snow on the hills it was just beautiful
For me the most spectacular side is going up with the Loch on the right.
And the Scots are first class at keeping the road snow free..so no worries there.
Lovely old fashioned pub half way round with a cracking roaring fire that did excellent meals.

To be fair I wouldn’t be trying to do an island , if it’s grey and dreich ..it’s just going to look grey, dreich and cold.

Plenty to do in Kelvingrove and in and around Glasgow,
There’s as a lovely rennie macikintosh restaurant which was really nice and the willow tea rooms.
The rennie mackintosh house at Helensburgh May be closed that week though.
We stayed at Jury’s in. Just slightly over the river..a stones throw from the main area. There was a lovely little theatre where we saw a very atmospheric beautiful and the beast
We also saw the nutcracker at the theatre royal in the city which again was excellent

Buchanan st And sauchiehall st in glasgow is great for shopping. There should be lots going on with it being Christmas time.

There was another interesting museum in the centre but I forget it’s name now..but lots of things about times gone by

I've done the seaplane, the views were great but it made me feel very seasick, I wouldn't do it again.

There was another interesting museum in the centre but I forget it’s name now..but lots of things about times gone by

The People’s Palace possibly? Tracks the history of daily life in Glasgow and well worth a visit.

Lomond Shores might be quiet at that time of year. There is the Sealife Centre and a high ropes course but the shops and restaurants are fairly limited. Balloch Castle Country Park is nice to wander round and has a play area. There are lots of places to eat in Balloch itself and boat trips.

My DCs like Dumbarton Castle.

Yes jelly
That was the one
Thank you

I wouldn't have thought the Islands were doable from Aberfoyle.
Brig o Turk tearooms are permanently closed.
Doune Castle is good, audio is good especially if Holy Grail or Outlander fan.

Thanks, so many great suggestions here! Thanks for taking the trouble to do links. I may have to start a spreadsheet.

We have two nights and 2.5 days, so I think we'll try to cover a Glasgow museum, a city centre wander and meal, a historic or nature activity, a country pub, and some sort of country walk.

Callender is lovely, maybe you could visit Inverary Jail, it is a fantastic place to visit

Inverary is a long trek from Aberfoyle. At least 90 mins drive I would have thought.

Aberofyle is a lovely little town with nice pubs and lovely walks. Aberfoyle also hosts a Go Ape location. If you are only on a short visit I wouldn't necessarily expect you to fancy this as it takes up a good 3 hours, but it is brilliant fun!

goape.co.uk/locations/aberfoyle

Lomond Shores as previously mentioned has some decent shops, but there are bound to be some Christmas markets on at this time of year. There will be FB pages/events, so I strongly recommend checking this out. see below
www.facebook.com/events/2429916427276250/

Milngavie is a town closely located to Aberfoyle. It is the starting point for the West highland Way, so nice walks to be had and some decent bars/eateries aswell I am sure.

My favourite place in all the world is Luss so I echo the above posts and recommend a jaunt out that way. The Village Café is lovely - and affordable.

Balloch/Balmaha is a nice area very close to Luss which also has nice parks/walks and nice places to grab a bite to eat.

Glasgow City centre has the myriad of museums previously mentioned. Kelvingrove Museum is wonderful. I find the Transport museum dull but that's likely due to being dragged there every year of childhood by the school! [ grin].
Buchanan Street is the shopping hub for the city centre.
Bath Street is the trendy bars.
Sauchiehall Street is the student-y area, plus nice restaurants.
West End is the higher end bars & restaurants. Ashton Lane is 100% worth a visit of an evening. Ubiquitous Chip is stunning for food, and Jinty McGintys bar is lively. I would recommend a walk along Byres Road from Ashton Lane, to visit Oran More, which is a truly spectacular pub set in a converted church.