Holiday tips for Glasgow(ish)

[TheTurn0fTheScrew]

We've booked a holiday home in the Clyde Valley about 40mins south of Glasgow, and after a brief panic when Nicola S was threatening to turn back Mancunians at the border, we are very excited. I'm after any tips for things to do. We have two DC, 14 and 10. The 14yo and I like art, the younger one likes a walk with a view, and both kids like slightly quirky shopping (kawaii/anime/sci fi stuff). We all like the seaside, and eating lots, so restaurant recommendations will be particularly welcome.

I've already booked Kelvingrove to come and see Big Jesus, and brunch for that day, but otherwise we have a week to fill. Thanks in advance, Scotsnetters .

Just to warn the science centre only recently reopened and apparently lots of sections are still closed, but apparently still good.
Not sure if it’s more clear on their website.

@Mibbiesaye

New Lanark might be worth it if you're in the Clyde Valley.

Forbidden Planet in Buchanan Street in the city centre for graphic novels, manga etc.

I think FP is shut now?

The Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University is well worth a visit on the day you are going to Kelvingrove. Definitely go to Edinburgh for a day. It’s great for just wandering around taking photos or The National Museum of Scotland is free and great to spend a few hours. Ayrshire or Portobello are good options for a beach day and like pp I’d recommend Stirling Castle, Blair Drummond Safari Park and Loch Lomond as other suggestions.

If you're going to Edinburgh, there's a new Alison Watt exhibition at the National Gallery.

I also recommend taking the train rather than trying to park in the centre.

Your DC might like Tokyo Toys in Glasgow if they like Anime etc www.tokyotoys.com

Not sure if already mentioned but camera obscura on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is well worth a visit.

You can get a speedboat down the Clyde to Krispy Kreme for a doughnut and back again. www.seaforcepowerboats.co.uk/fastboatrides

Dirt biking suitable for kids i-motox.com

For arty stuff you could do a walking tour of our many gable end murals and have lunch a look at the Barras www.baadglasgow.com

Agree with @Sarcobaleno, the Glasgow Mural Trail is worth a look www.citycentremuraltrail.co.uk/

Agree with pp that Culzean Castle is wonderful and part of the National Trust for Scotland. I love Dunure as well just a wee bit further up the coast for a picnic.

Sorry about being a killjoy, but do be warned about long delays on the ferries currently, there's delays on a lot of the CalMacs to the West coast islands.

Ardrossan to Brodick (Arran) has delays because of limited car deck space and the Largs to Cumbrae ferry had queues of nearly three hours today (that's about normal this time of year) as only one ferry is taking car traffic. It also bungs up the town with traffic jams, a nightmare when you live locally!
You can check ferry updates here www.calmac.co.uk/service-status

As someone mentioned there is a dinosaur trail that's in Lanark/new Lanark just now. If you go to new Lanark and are up for a bit of a walk then you can do a loop of the Clyde walkway and see the falls of the Clyde which are stunning. There is a restaurant in Lanark called Prego that's very good.

There's a place called Wiston lodge near Biggar that does outdoor activities for kids that's meant to be really fun but I'm not sure about ages.

If you are in the Clyde valley then you have to give the garden centres a visit. Goulding's has the best breakfast but also the highest prices😂

If you have a Sunny day then a trip to Gourock to the outdoor swimming pool, a visit to the beach at Lunderston Bay (nearest Sandy beach to Glasgow with lovely walks along the shore too) and then a walk around the nature trail at Greenock cut. There are lovely cafes and restaurants in Gourock too.

www.inverclydeleisure.com/facilities/gourock-pool/

www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-scotland/strathclyde/lunderston-bay.htm

clydemuirshiel.co.uk/about/park-sites/greenock-cut/

@Mibbiesaye

New Lanark might be worth it if you're in the Clyde Valley.

Forbidden Planet in Buchanan Street in the city centre for graphic novels, manga etc.

Just for the next time you're in Glasgow - Forbidden Planet has now moved to Sauchiehall Street :)

Science centre is fab - just check current opening and restrictions to make sure it’s worth your while going at the moment.

While you are at Kelvingrove Museum it would be worthwhile to head to Byres Road and explore the West End of Glasgow a bit more. There is also a hop on / hop off bus tour of Glasgow - again check restrictions with coronavirus (not even sure if it’s on sorry!)

If it’s a sunny day Kelvingrove Park and the Botanics are both lovely parks.

Was going to suggest Millport / Cumbrae but agree that on sunny days the queues are huge for the ferries and might be a bit of a trek for you depending on where exactly you are staying - however Millport is a beautiful, but very small, seaside village and you can hire bikes cycle round the island while you are there. Not sure why ferry queues are like midweek but we wouldn’t venture over at the weekend if the weather is nice as it’s not worth the hassle. It would be a full day out for you though.

Gourock open air pool is fab. I personally would only go if it was a nice day but know people who go rain or shine…Gourock itself has a few nice cafes.

Come to Edinburgh for the day - gallery of modern art has a lovely outdoor space similar to a small scale Jupiter artland and a lot more accessible via publi CNN transport if you want to hop on the train. Also the national and portrait galleries and national museum all in close proximity to each other.

To add Edinburgh also has a mother India cafe just of north bridge which has 2 large shops of the quirky type you describe just by the junction you take for it. Also a very short walk from there to Cockburn St which also has alternative shops plus the princes mall by Waverley station used to have shops like that too (not been in there for a long while so can't promise they are still there)

I second New Lanark, it's lovely and the walks roundabout are gorgeous. There's also a new kids' adventure park near Crossford, I haven't been but apparently it's very good.

A pretty drive to do from Lanark is down to Moffat, going through the Talla and Megget reservoirs then past the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall. The scenery is stunning. We usually picnic at the Talla (gorgeous views) then stop at the waterfall for a walk, you can go right up to the waterfall, or even hike up to the top of the plateau. Moffat itself is a pretty market town with a nice sweet shop on the square .

If you go to Edinburgh, it's worth visiting the Botanic Gardens. They are stunning, and if you get there early enough parking shouldn't be a problem.

thanks again to everyone who's posted. I am making my way through all the suggestions. We will be near Lanark/New Lanark so that's on the list, and I think the drive up brings us near to Moffat so we can visit en route. The outdoor pool is a great shout - the girls will love it.

One of my favourite trips is the ferry from Gourock to Dunoon - lots of beautiful scenery around there, but if you have time, the drive over to Tighnabruich is well worth it. There is also a well renowned sailing school there.

Roslyn chapel is where the Da Vinci code was filmed - could go there then onto North Berwick for dinner.

I can recommend Rosebank garden centre in the Clyde valley for fab food, massive portions and freshly made. We had afternoon tea last week which was just gorgeous. Kids love M&ds with the fair, arcades and the bowling you can spend a whole day here.

Cinema in Ashton lane is closed
Camera obscura in edinburgh need to book and can't actually get in to the room but can go outside for views

Waverley is a boat that you can get on at the science centre and have a day trip to Dunoon

Glasgow city has good shopping - sugo is a popular pasta place that teens seem to like
Dumpling monkey is along from kelvingrove art galleries - it looks like nothing but they have the best bubble tea ( according to teen)
Everyman cinema is lovely. New cinema in st Enoch centre too

So much to do have a lovely time

If time permits, The Burrell Collection in Pollok Park is worth a visit. The park is lovely, the building, which was designed specifically to house the collection is super, and they also have a great cafe👍. It's in the south side of Glasgow and easy to get to!

If you’re going to Edinburgh there’s a free park and ride car park in Motherwell and get the train or drive to the park and ride next to Edinburgh airport and get the tram into the city.

Baffo pizzaria across from Kelvingrove is really good. Like others, I'd recommend if you are in the west end you also wander up onto Byres road and around the old university. Theres loads of great coffee on Gt western road in the west end, and 2 good bakeries (3 sisters bake and cottonrake bakery)