Day trips from Glasgow - recommendations pls!

[Middleagefear]

Hi

going to Glasgow with teens end of May - would love some suggestions for outside/nature/beauty/fun activities outside of Glasgow city.

we can rent a car for a day or two if needed.

thanks

Ooh gosh, Glasgow has a lot of very accessible nature. Loch Lomond and it's surrounding mountains are only about 45 mins away. There are many other loch and mountain areas too. There are also lots of big country and city parks if you mean shorter walks.

Can you guide a bit on what kinds of outdoor activities?

If you like hillwalking, google walks from the stations on the West Highland Line. You get it from Glasgow Queen St. There are a lot of online resources and reviews. If you hire a car, there are a lot more options, it's really a case of looking at a map and doing research on google. The countryside to the west is absolutely stunning.

OP
Is there a reason you are going there? I ask as they are many other places that are nicer over there, Edinburg, never been to Scotland but been advised its a great place

Glasgow is fantastic. Edinburgh is just a theme park these days. HTH.

If you’ve never been to Scotland, I don’t really think you can comment on the merits of one location over another. Glasgow and Edinburgh are very different cities but they both have a lot to offer.

If you have never been here, you aren't in a position to comment.

If you’re hiring a car and you all like seafood, Oban might be a nice day out for a boat trip and look round the shops.

Glasgow is a fantastic city and there are loads of places you can go for day trips. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs are very accessible and very beautiful.

Stirling (castle/Wallace monument/safari park).
Isle of Bute.
Trossachs (there's a Go Ape centre if that appeals).
Edinburgh inc the Zoo and your choice of tourist trips.
Loch Lomond or Loch Katrin inc boat trip.

What?!! Glasgow is amazing. Lots of cultural things to do, wonderful restaurants and surrounded by beautiful countryside. Loch Lomond is easily reachable by car -the little pier at Luss is a great spot. The Burrell Collection is also well worth a visit.

The train ride from Glasgow to Oban is very beautiful. Not a huge amount to do in Oban- you could spend a few hours there or take the ferry to Mull qn£ go to Tobermory . Probably you would then need a overnight in either Oban or Mull.

The drive up to Glencoe is manageable from Glasgow and the scenery is stunning.

If you hire a car you are better to bypass Loch Lomond and head further up to Loch Awe and Inveraray .

You could get the train to Ardrossan and take the ferry to Arran for the day

The Kelpies are pretty cool. Within Glasgow, near the botanic gardens there is a fab street which my kids loved. Lots of lovely bakeries, shops, places to eat. Byers Road x

Perhaps those familiar with Glasgow might be in a better place to make recommendations to the OP.

Thanks all - really helpful

Definitely Loch Lomond. Easy from Glasgow. Go to somewhere like Luss for a pub lunch or tea and cake and then take a boat tour around the Loch.

Also head out towards Glencoe, which is a beautiful scenic drive from Glasgow. Rannoch Moor is a must see - one of my favourite places.

You can also get the train (towards Fort William direction) but I don’t think they’re that frequent.

Edinburgh for a day trip if you’ve not already been - it’s very different from Glasgow, both amazing cities but different histories, different architecture etc. If you’re in Glasgow and you have never been to Edinburgh it does make sense to go for a day and explore the Old Town, New Town, Stockbridge, play a round of golf on the Links, climb Arthur’s Seat.

Some gorgeous beaches around Fife and North Berwick too.

Lovely towns in the Borders - I’d suggest Melrose but that’s closer to Edinburgh, others might have ideas of places closer Glasgow.

Check to see if the Waverley is sailing, good day out. Have a trip down the Clyde to the Isles.

We went to Glasgow just after Christmas and loved it!

Train to Largs, ferry to Millport (Cumbrae) cycle round the island. Fish & chips in Largs on the way back.

You can get the train to Wemyss Bay or Largs and get the ferry to Bute or Cumbrae respectively. Always fun being on an island! Have a mooch around the main towns (Rothesay in Bute has a castle, cathedral etc)or take or hire bikes and have a cycle - Cumbrae about 10 miles in total and completely flat, Bute more like 25-30 in total, and hillier, but you can always just cycle round to one of the beaches (Ettrick Bay) and back again

New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde (mill village and nature reserve) is an hour by train from Glasgow Central, good for walks.

I live in Glasgow. How old are the children? My visitors always rave about their trips over to MIllport to cycle around the Isle of Cumbrae. They always ask to do this again on repeat visits.

Take the train from Glasgow Central to Largs. Take the ferry over to Cumbrae and hop on the bus to Millport. There are several bicycle hire shops in Millport. It is 10 miles around the island and is generally flat.

You can get a trailer for toddlers and a tandem for younger children. Children from around 8 will manage themselves.

I think you can buy a train ticket to Cumbrae which will include the ferry crossing. The bicycle hire shop will give the children a certificate when you return the bikes. You can stop for ice cream or lunch half way round.

They are 13. Would they still enjoy it?

I've never met you or seen you but you are ugly and smell of cold burgers.

Yes, especially the fish and chips st the end.

Glasgow is my preferred city to Edinburgh and there's plenty to do in the city. Kelvingrove, modern art, willow tea rooms etc.
You could get the train to balloch, then do a boat trip up loch Lomond. If they like shopping there's a little outlet place within walking distance.We always liked Sweeney's cruises.

We loved the lake of menteith but kids were younger then.
Dunoon castle, Dumbarton castle, Stirling castle are good if you like castles.
Further afield to helensburgh and you can do a national trust called hill house.
Ours liked visiting the distillery - glengoyne is quite near and nice to see and you could combine that with loch Lomond trip.
Connick hill is a nice walk and there are plenty of cafes / pub to eat at.