With just a few months to go before the Commonwealth Games kick off in Glasgow, the area is preparing itself for an influx of athletes and spectators. If you have tickets for some of the events and are planning a trip to Scotland to coincide with the Games, why not stay for a little longer and take in some of the fantastic historic, cultural and family attractions dotted around the country? Whether it is your first trip to Scotland or your one hundred and first, there is plenty to do, see and discover north of Hadrian’s Wall.
Scotland is rich in history, hillwalking and Highlands – how much you discover will depend on how long you plan to stay. Here are just a few ideas on what you could get up to with 1, 3 or 5 spare days north of the border.
1 Day:
If your visit to Scotland will be short and sweet, you won’t want to waste most of your free day travelling. Luckily, there are numerous fabulous places for you to visit within an hour or so of Glasgow.
We listed twenty of the most popular attractions in our Caravanning near Glasgow article but that was just the tip of the iceberg. With one free day to spend how you will, a tank of fuel or a train ticket, here’s what you could do:
M&D’s – Scotland’s Theme Park – If you’re staying at the Strathclyde Park caravan site, this one is particularly handy as it is located within the park itself. While not quite as impressive as the likes of Alton Towers or Legoland, M&D’s is ideal for a fun day with all the family. As well as the rollercoasters, dodgems and crazy golf outdoors, M&D’s in home to a bowling alley, arcade, soft play centre, bingo hall and Amazonia. There is definitely something for everyone!
Amazonia – A tropical rainforest in central Scotland, the indoor Amazonia is one of the attractions at Strathclyde Park. Parrots, toucans, monkeys, bats, snakes, tarantulas… the list goes on! If you’re feeling particularly brave, you can pay an extra £1 per person to take part in the daily handling sessions.
Intu Braehead – For shopping, food and indoor adventure sports, Intu Braehead is the place to go. The former Xscape centre still houses an indoor treetop adventure where you can climb, swing and jump above the heads of shoppers, an indoor ski and snowboarding slope and a plethora of fantastic restaurants and shops. Add to that a massive Gambado soft play centre, indoor crazy golf, arcade games, laser tag, indoor rock climbing and an Odeon cinema and you have the makings of a great day out for everyone in your group.
The Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery – The Hunterian at Glasgow University is the oldest museum in the city and houses a very impressive collection. Exhibits include the largest collection of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s work, The Mackintosh House, the works of Lord Kelvin and the history of the Antonine Wall. The museum and art gallery also host regular events and tours.
Ayr – The popular seaside resort of Ayr is under an hour’s drive or train journey from Glasgow city centre. The long, sandy beach, outdoor playground, picnic areas, amusement arcades and mini-golf will provide plenty of entertainment for all the family. Once you’ve all worked up an appetite, no trip to Ayr would be complete without fish and chips from The Lucky Star!
Buchanan Street – Buchanan Street in the city centre is the ultimate Glasgow shopping destination. “The Style Mile” has more than enough shops to satisfy even the most dedicated shopaholic’s urges, from high street stores in Buchanan Galleries to more luxury outlets in Prince’s Square. The St Enoch Centre on Argyle Street is just across the road from the bottom of Buchanan Street too, so you definitely won’t run out of options.
The Tall Ship – If you decide to pay a visit to the Riverside Museum, don’t forget about The Tall Ship docked behind it. Explore the fully refurbished Glenlee, which has been restored right down to the captain’s cabin, enabling visitors to get a feel for life on the old vessel. Various talks and tours are regularly available so check the website for information before you visit to make sure you don’t miss out.
Stadium Tours – What trip to Glasgow would be complete without a tour of one of the famous stadiums? Celtic Park, Ibrox and Hampden all offer daily tours, while Edinburgh’s Easter Road, Tynecastle and Murrayfield are only an hour or so away. If you’re visiting very close to the Commonwealth Games, remember to check with the stadium before you visit as tours may not be offered on certain dates.
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life – Summerlee Museum is always a hit with visitors of all ages. The main building houses some fantastic machines and engines, with even more dotted around the grounds. Visitors can experience houses modelled on each of the past few decades, play with old toys, take a trip on a tram and join in with a tour of the underground coal mines. There’s also a large playground for the kids.
3 Days:
As you’ve seen, Glasgow and its surrounding areas have a multitude of delights just waiting to be discovered by you. If you have a few days, rather than hours, to spare and want to explore a little further, the possibilities become even more numerous. Loch Lomond, the Highlands, St Andrew’s… where will your Scottish journey take you?
Edinburgh – We would definitely recommend a trip to the Scottish capital if you can fit it in. With attractions including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, Camera Obscura, Prince’s Street Gardens, ghost tours, bus tours and everything in between, filling a few days will pose no problem at all. If you’re sight-seeing on a budget, have a look at the Edinburgh Pass, which allows you access to various special offers and discounts.
Fife Coastal Path – We don’t expect you to cover the entire 117 miles in just a few days but there are plenty of picturesque towns and villages along this famous walking route. North Queensferry, the seaside town of Burntisland and Anstruther are just some of the popular options. While you’re there, pay a visit to the Isle of May, Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve or the Harbourmaster’s House.
St Andrews – If it’s good enough for Prince William, it’s certainly good enough for us! Whether you want to pay a visit to the University, stroll along the seafront, take in a round of golf or just potter in a beautiful town, St Andrews is an excellent choice of Scottish short break destination. With an aquarium, botanic gardens, galleries, spas, museums, historic sites and parks within easy reach of the town centre, it’s impossible not to find something you love about St Andrews.
Pitlochry – About two hour’s drive from Glasgow, you’ll find the wonderfully picturesque town of Pitlochry. It is very much a tourist destination but don’t let that put you off; it’s a million miles from the stereotypical tackiness you may be imagining. Forget sticks of rock and novelty gifts, Pitlochry is a haven of clean air, beautiful scenery and excellent hospitality. Fishing, golf, cycling, walking – whatever you like to do, Pitlochry will not disappoint. Grab a show at the theatre if you can.
Arran – The island of Arran is another fantastic option for those wanting to explore more of Scotland than just Glasgow. Accessible by car ferry, Arran has all of the stunning, green, Scottish scenery you could want, accompanied by plenty of walking routes, fishing and even extreme sports. Sea kayaking, RIB voyages, climbing and Arran Safaris are just a few of the pastimes you could discover.
It’s worth remembering that 2014 is a very special year for Scotland as, not only is the nation hosting the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup, there are tons of events and activities happening throughout the year. No matter where you choose to go, you’re sure to find some Homecoming Scotland 2014 festival or event just waiting to showcase all that is great about Scotland! More information can be found at the end of this article.
5 Days:
With five days at your disposal, you’ll be free to wander further afield and explore the depths of the Highlands and Islands. You may decide to take in more than one of the towns and villages we’ve already mentioned of course, but if you’re willing to travel, there’s plenty more to be found to the north.
Malt Whisky Trail – What could be more Scottish than a tour around several of the best malt whisky distilleries in the world? Make a base in Speyside and work your way around the Benromach, Cardhu, Dallas Dhu, Glenfiddich, Glen Grant, Glenlivet, Glen Moray, Speyside Cooperage and Strathisla distilleries. You may not manage to fit them all in, but we’re sure you can give it a good go. It may be worth making sure you’re not the designated driver on this particular trip…
Aberdeen – The third of the big cities in Scotland, Aberdeen has a very different feel from either Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Granite City has far more to offer than simply an abundance of oil; the city is packed with historic, cultural, sporting and entertainment events. Have a look at the Visit Aberdeen website for details.
John O’Groats – Contrary to popular belief, John O’Groats isn’t actually the most northern point of the UK, but it is the northern end of the longest road distance between two towns. If you’d like to visit, there’s a camping and caravan site, woollen mill, ferry to Orkney, wildlife trails and much more in store. You’re guaranteed “a warm welcome at the end of the road!”
Dornoch – It may no longer be a Royal Burgh but Dornoch remains a designated National Scenic Area (and Madonna got married there!). Aside from the absolutely breath-taking scenery, Dornoch offers plenty of golfing, walking, wildlife, fishing and lovely, simple relaxation. Dornoch Cathedral and the Loch Fleet nature reserve are definitely must-sees.
Inverness – Fancy indulging in a bit of Nessie-spotting at Loch Ness? If you would like to visit the Highlands without sacrificing too many creature comforts, Inverness is the place to go. You’ll have easy access to the beautiful scenery and surrounding of the Highlands, coupled with the convenience and amenities of a city. The best of both worlds really!
West Highland Way – This option is slightly different from the others in that it doesn’t require much travelling from Glasgow to get there but it does require a lot of travelling on foot once you arrive. Start off just outside Glasgow in Milngavie before hiking through Mugdock Country Park, Loch Lomond, Glencoe, The Devil’s Staircase, Loch Leven and Glen Nevis on your way to Fort William. You don’t have to commit to the full 96 mile route – there are plenty of places to join and leave along the way and you can employ helpers to carry your luggage to your next stopping point each day. Training and preparation are most definitely required!
Homecoming Scotland 2014 Events:
If you’re not sure where you would like to visit, why not have a look at the Homecoming Scotland 2014 events and choose which you would like to attend? You are guaranteed to find at least one thing you simply cannot miss! There are far too many for us to list individually here, but here are a few highlights to get you started.
Battle of Bannockburn Family History Project
Halkirk Highland Games
Ride the North 2014
Moffat Sheep Races
Pittenweem Arts Festival
Tattie Bogal
St Andrews Golf Open Day
Edinburgh Mela 2014
Skye Festival
2014 European Fireball Championships, Shetland
Anstruther Harbour Festival
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Edinburgh Festivals
Medieval Mayhem
Great Scottish Swim 2014
Fringe by the Sea
Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival
British Touring Car Championships
7th UK Geocaching Mega Event
Is there anything that you would recommend that we have missed off this list? Tell us about it below.
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