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Original poster

Help me plan a week in Scotland

42 replies

Needhelp101 · 12/08/2024 11:01

Hello vipers

My sons (14 and 12) and I are off to Glasgow for week at the end of the month. We've very kindly been lent accommodation there so will use that as a base but would love to explore more of the country.

Apart from (obviously) a trip to the Festival, where else would you recommend? I personally would love to visit the Highlands but any other suggestions of where to go/what to do/restaurant recommendations etc would be much appreciated (although I should mention we are on a pretty tight budget though).

OP posts:
Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/08/2024 08:30

It's not that small. Perfectly valid to ask for suggestions.

If your budget would run to it one thing to consider is a trip on the Waverley, which is a vintage paddle steamer that does scenic tours round the Clyde. Possibly not the most exciting for teens, but it very much depends on what kind of teenagers you have. I first travelled on the Waverley as a child and was fascinated, but then I'm a bit odd. Grin

A day trip to Arran is what I was going to suggest. The poster upthread who said it was dull didn't explain why. It's a beautiful island with glorious and varied scenery, and that's the attraction for those of us who love it. It's not a place with lots of shops or tourist attractions. Pick a day with good weather to see it at its best. If you are all extremely fit and active, with suitable footwear and used to strenuous walking, you could climb Goatfell in a day and easily make the return ferry in the evening. The views from the top are terrific. The food on the Ardrossan ferry is good. (There is currently an extra ferry to Troon, but that has no catering.)

Piffpaffpoff · 13/08/2024 08:34

Be aware that Scotrail is not at it's most reliable at the moment - they are on a special timetable with less trains and subject to cancellation at short notice so just be aware and check the app for the current situation on your day of travel, particularly if you are heading somewhere with only a few trains each day (I'm thinking west highland line specifically)

Having said that, if you have a car then The Kelpies are striking and easy to get to, a day in Edinburgh is a must even if just to wander around, Gourock outdoor swimming pool is a great spot, the museums in Glasgow, Stirling Castle - you are spoilt for choice!

Toooldforthis36 · 13/08/2024 08:37

Train to Largs - quick ferry to Cumbrae and hire bikes in Millport town - you can cycle the whole island circular, only 10miles and flat.

gorgeous - and those ferries more reliable than Arran ones!

back in Largs have an ice cream from Nardinis!

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Holidays
Blueberrycreampie · 13/08/2024 08:39

Vettrianofan · 13/08/2024 07:28

Can recommend Dollar Glen. Recently took an American visitor of our family there. She loved it. She paid to look around Castle Campbell.

Dollar Glen is lovely - a friend took me many years ago and would love to go back there.

Lifeisapeach · 13/08/2024 14:16

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/08/2024 08:30

It's not that small. Perfectly valid to ask for suggestions.

If your budget would run to it one thing to consider is a trip on the Waverley, which is a vintage paddle steamer that does scenic tours round the Clyde. Possibly not the most exciting for teens, but it very much depends on what kind of teenagers you have. I first travelled on the Waverley as a child and was fascinated, but then I'm a bit odd. Grin

A day trip to Arran is what I was going to suggest. The poster upthread who said it was dull didn't explain why. It's a beautiful island with glorious and varied scenery, and that's the attraction for those of us who love it. It's not a place with lots of shops or tourist attractions. Pick a day with good weather to see it at its best. If you are all extremely fit and active, with suitable footwear and used to strenuous walking, you could climb Goatfell in a day and easily make the return ferry in the evening. The views from the top are terrific. The food on the Ardrossan ferry is good. (There is currently an extra ferry to Troon, but that has no catering.)

Agree about Arran. Was surprised to see it referred to as dull, then again I don’t find castles and monuments that interesting either. Each to their own I suppose. I was the posted who originally suggested it and It’s beautiful. It’s a good suggestion as the other Scottish isles are too far north if you only have a short time in Glasgow. As well as goat fell there is the Glenashdale falls which are fantastic. Lots of lovely trails to walk and cycle. It’s a real easy place to get to.

Tartantotty · 13/08/2024 14:19

Get train from Glasgow to Pitlochry or Aviemore for fantastic scenery (a day trip is possible) . Accommodation may be expensive as it's the height of the tourist season. Also, Loch Lomond is lovely and you can get a bus or train there from Glasgow.

JockTamsonsBairns · 13/08/2024 14:32

ChocoChocoLatte · 13/08/2024 07:42

St Andrews is an absolutely mobbed shit show just now with the AIG happening imminently.

East Neuk (if you're driving) is MUCH better and has less viscous seagulls than the cheesy toast shack - they were even on the tv about it!

Unless you're golf daft, I'd avoid till Sept at least.

Dunkeld is lovely and has the Hermitage walk and the new Perth museum has the Stone of Destiny if you're in any way interested in Scottish History.

The Hermitage walk, where my (now) DH proposed back in 1990 ❤️

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/08/2024 15:07

Lifeisapeach · 13/08/2024 14:16

Agree about Arran. Was surprised to see it referred to as dull, then again I don’t find castles and monuments that interesting either. Each to their own I suppose. I was the posted who originally suggested it and It’s beautiful. It’s a good suggestion as the other Scottish isles are too far north if you only have a short time in Glasgow. As well as goat fell there is the Glenashdale falls which are fantastic. Lots of lovely trails to walk and cycle. It’s a real easy place to get to.

Show quote history

I love Glenashdale Falls too! Whiting Bay is a great place. My Dad's family spent holidays there many, many times. I always enjoy going to the Coffee Pot first and then setting off through the woods. It's been pretty rainy this summer so the falls should be full. Hoping to get there when I'm next up (fairly soon).

The one place I've never managed to get to is Holy Isle. One day.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/08/2024 15:11

Toooldforthis36 · 13/08/2024 08:37

Train to Largs - quick ferry to Cumbrae and hire bikes in Millport town - you can cycle the whole island circular, only 10miles and flat.

gorgeous - and those ferries more reliable than Arran ones!

back in Largs have an ice cream from Nardinis!

Every ferry in the world is more reliable than the Arran ferry service over the last winter! It's a lot better in the summer, to be fair. I had hoped the Cally Isles would be back by my next trip up there, but I'm beginning to think I'll never see her again. Must check the current promised date for the new ferry - I could do with a laugh.

HotCrossBunplease · 13/08/2024 16:09

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 13/08/2024 08:30

It's not that small. Perfectly valid to ask for suggestions.

If your budget would run to it one thing to consider is a trip on the Waverley, which is a vintage paddle steamer that does scenic tours round the Clyde. Possibly not the most exciting for teens, but it very much depends on what kind of teenagers you have. I first travelled on the Waverley as a child and was fascinated, but then I'm a bit odd. Grin

A day trip to Arran is what I was going to suggest. The poster upthread who said it was dull didn't explain why. It's a beautiful island with glorious and varied scenery, and that's the attraction for those of us who love it. It's not a place with lots of shops or tourist attractions. Pick a day with good weather to see it at its best. If you are all extremely fit and active, with suitable footwear and used to strenuous walking, you could climb Goatfell in a day and easily make the return ferry in the evening. The views from the top are terrific. The food on the Ardrossan ferry is good. (There is currently an extra ferry to Troon, but that has no catering.)

That was me. Landscape seemed no different to what we have in the Trossachs but harder to get to!

Original poster
Needhelp101 · 14/08/2024 09:54

Wow, so many responses, thank you all so much. We won't have a car but do have a rail card. Am reading through all your suggestions now and making copious notes!

OP posts:
PoodlesRUs · 14/08/2024 12:34

Needhelp101 · 14/08/2024 09:54

Wow, so many responses, thank you all so much. We won't have a car but do have a rail card. Am reading through all your suggestions now and making copious notes!

Oh, if you go to Stirling, you can walk up the old town to Holyrood Church. The church has recently had its exhibitions updated and you can see bullet holes in it from a siege. Opposite the church is a medieval building which is free and has a small display (it used to be a sort of hospital/home but not as we'd understand it). And the cemetery at the church is, of course, free and has good views if you climb to the bench at the top. There's also a weird pyramid at one edge of the cemetery. Then there is the old town jail as well as the castle and Wallace's monument (cracking views from the top and lots of displays inside).

Blueberrycreampie · 14/08/2024 15:03

Please do visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery - especially on a Sunday to hear the fabulous organ recital at 3.00pm (45 mins). On the day I went last year, there were excerpts from Bach, Puccini,, Saint -Saens, Lloyd Webber and many more. Apart from that the paintings are fab, as are the sculptures and artefacts and as it's situated at eh edge of Kelvingrove Park, you can have a lovely walk before or after.

HotCrossBunplease · 15/08/2024 08:12

PoodlesRUs · 14/08/2024 12:34

Oh, if you go to Stirling, you can walk up the old town to Holyrood Church. The church has recently had its exhibitions updated and you can see bullet holes in it from a siege. Opposite the church is a medieval building which is free and has a small display (it used to be a sort of hospital/home but not as we'd understand it). And the cemetery at the church is, of course, free and has good views if you climb to the bench at the top. There's also a weird pyramid at one edge of the cemetery. Then there is the old town jail as well as the castle and Wallace's monument (cracking views from the top and lots of displays inside).

Edited
Show quote history

It’s actually the Church of the Holy Rude, not to be confused with Holyrood the parliament and area in Edinburgh, though obviously the same origin. I was christened there! As was James the 1st and 6th.

The thing nearby is either Mar’s Lodging https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%27s_Wark or Cowane’s Hospital https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/cowanes-hospital-p246381

My friend and I used to have picnics by that pyramid in the cemetery, we were weird children!

PoodlesRUs · 15/08/2024 09:45

HotCrossBunplease · 15/08/2024 08:12

It’s actually the Church of the Holy Rude, not to be confused with Holyrood the parliament and area in Edinburgh, though obviously the same origin. I was christened there! As was James the 1st and 6th.

The thing nearby is either Mar’s Lodging https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar%27s_Wark or Cowane’s Hospital https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/cowanes-hospital-p246381

My friend and I used to have picnics by that pyramid in the cemetery, we were weird children!

Edited
Show quote history

I knew I'd done something wrong! Typed the sentence and thought "Something aint right..."

Dearg · 15/08/2024 09:50

While in Glasgow , the transport museum is great; I love a trip on the underground ( I know the locals call it something else, but I am from the NE!) ; Kelvingrove is lovely.p, Loch Lomond is really stunning.

Just be sure to pack waterproof jackets 🙄

Original poster
Needhelp101 · 15/08/2024 10:07

Really appreciate everyone's suggestions., thank you all.

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