Glasgow and surrounds with 2 under 5s

[Haylstones]

I haven't lived in Scotland since before we had dd aged 4 and ds 5 months so would appreciate any suggestions for a week we are spending there at the end of the month.
We will mostly be on the west coastal side of Scotland but Glasgow area is within easy reach. SHould be able to access a car but not guaranteed!
Anyone?

I know how to get to 1 car park in Embra - Church street? Tis easy to get to from this side - straight up Lothian Road.... or at least it was... its a year since we have been - god knows what has happened since then...

Can't knock a bit of west coast attitude. Dd has an English accent and has lived here since birth but still has that attitude

probably tramworks or more knob-end wardens or that, geordie. i wouldn't risk it.

oh, DH lived his whole life in Embra up till about 9 months ago - accent to match - and he fit right in here like a stone in a wall.

Seems like loads of us near Glasgow, maybe we should all meet up together . Maybe someone can then show Expat how to get to Kelvingrove!

Perhaps I could take my burberry pram on the bus?

Kirstiiiiiiiii mum to Oakleeeeee, Wankeeeeee, and Knobeeeeee

it used to be well worth having a harvey nicks card as you could park in their car park for free then. they now charge but it's still quite handy tbh. although not compared to the train, obv.

well, expat's dh knows where our house is...

you can use Tesco vouchers for the aquarium at loch lomond.
Or if you fancy a scenic trip on a steamship and are venturing a bit further www.lochkatrine.com/ It is beautiful

i've decided that if i need something i used to get in Harvey Nicks i'll just order it online.

would love to go into Glesga. an excuse to -spend money erm, meet lovely peeps.

I've never done the Edinburgh thang actually. Went once whilst at school and that was it (wondering why now)

loch fyne. so lurvely.

was just there the day.

then DD1 was stung by this massive wasp about 5 minutes after we arrived at the festival and we had to leave - well, she let us see the birds of prey. loch lomond birds of prey centre came through with some very cool birds of pray.

Loch Fyne is really pretty. I also love INveraray and will definitely try to take the dc there.

I like Inverary, but the other day I decided to walk to the castle instead of drive.

BIG mistake if you're 6 months pregnant!

It's about a mile off the road and swarming with midgies.

Excellent chippy there now, roadworks mostly over and tasty ice cream as well. Oh, and whisky shop inside the Woolen Mill is first rate.

Stop in Cairndow shop, Loch Fyne Oysters, for some brilliant seafood and lots of samples.

They had a nice festival there a fortnight ago, too, and the wee ones got to see sheep being sheared and Heilan' coos that were clean.

I'm very strange and have a seafood phobia. dh loves it so we would probably make a point of stopping to stock up for him. Dd would love the jail I think

science museum is great as is the safri park and transport museum. also the swimming pool in coatbridge is good. abit of a drive but mine had fun. he was 16 months when we took him. otherwise move??!!! are you in helensburgh??? gogglebox is good

that jail gave me the heebiejeebies!

FREAKED me out.

castle was fine, except this one room.

but that jail was eerie.

Haylstones, where you are staying is very close to Heads of Ayr fun park, its absolutely brilliant for kids your ages. Its next door to the Ayr Haven caravan park, although its got nothing to do with the caravan park. The road outside is the Dunure road, its just outside the village of Alloway, which is very famous for all things Robert Burns. The haeds od Ayr park has lots of trampolines, large bouncy pillows perfect for liitle kids, slides, horses to feed, a very small zoo-ish area, picnid area, great sand pit fun area and lots of tame animals ro see or feed. It really is great outside fun, a family ticket costs £30, includes 3 kids and 2 adults, the in door restaurant isn't too expensive or bring your own picnic, loads of nice benches. Can you tell we love this as a day out??!!

Also near you is Kelburn country park, right just outside Largs. Again a great day out, great swings area, fun maze, nice countryside, picnic area, ducks, bird centre, lovely castle to visit, again a great day out.

Also Culzean Castle, part of the National Trust - lovely swing park, great lakeside walks, small walk down to the beach, lovely gardens for littles to run round.

Hope this helps!

No chance of moving sadly, much as I'd like to! Not in Helensburgh but pretty close.
Don't freak me out about spooky goings on Expat as if I end up taking ds on my own I will get totally spooked out without dh being all rational on me. I went to the jail more than 10 years ago but remember enjoying it, will no doubt be looking out for freaky goings on now!

it just felt creepy, haly. maybe it's the damp. it's so damp in there.

hopefully the weather will improve.

it's not been good here of late.

maybe you're not so close, but well worth the drive down the coast!

My lot loved the safari park last year, had a great time. If you are on the Dunoon side why not get the ferry over to Gourock and drive up to the Greenock Waterside Pool....kids liked that too. There is or was an adventure place outside inverary, does white water high speed boat rides, pony trekknig and stuff. It used to be the the wildlife place (which I preferred).
Further north there used to be a sealife place near Oban, not sure if it's still there though!
I think the power station is near Loch Awe, I remember it from school, was great!

Thanks chelsygirl, that really sounds great. It would take me about 90 minutes inlcuding the ferry to get there, which isn't too bad...
Too much to choose from!

my two didn;t like the salty sea water in the outdoor Greenock pool, might put little ones off? If you do go say you are a Greenock resident, gets kids in free!

Am googling like mad now!
Spoke to mum today and she said it was horrible weather, wet and muggy- such joy!
mankyscotlass, sounds great idea. we did try to go to waterfront a few months ago but it was closed for some reason
(we do visit scotland regularly but I decided that this time we would actually DO Stuff and let the kids have fun rather than mooch about my parents' house!)