Excursions
For a Half Day
Loch Lomond: Britain’s largest expanse of fresh water captures the Scottish landscape in microcosm. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (website: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org), Scotland’s first national park, is located some 20km (12 miles) northwest of Glasgow. Balloch is the largest town on Loch Lomond and is reachable by train from Queen Street station (low level). The Balloch Tourist Information Office (tel: (01389) 753 533; website: www.scottish.heartlands.org), open from April to October, provides further information. The office and a park orientation centre are situated in the Loch Lomond Shores visitor attraction and shopping complex.
For a Whole Day
New Lanark: Nominated as a World Heritage Site, this village is the realisation of idealistic social planning in the Industrial Age. Founded in 1785, near the Falls of Clyde, this cotton-spinning village has been restored as a living community and tourist attraction, with one of the mills being converted into a hotel. The New Lanark Visitor Centre (tel: (01555) 661 345; website: www.newlanark.org) has interpretative displays and the ‘New Millennium Experience’ ride – the 4.75 entrance fee (concessions are available) includes access to four other buildings on the site. Trains run from Glasgow Central station (low level) to Lanark, from where buses are available to New Lanark. The Lanark Tourist Information Centre, Horsemarket, Ladyacre (tel: (01555) 661 661; e-mail lanark@seeglasgow.com), is open from May to September and provides further information, including bus timetables and fares.
Edinburgh: This city, located approximately 50km (31 miles) east of Glasgow, is less than one hour away by train. This great Scottish city and apparent rival of Glasgow is famous for its brooding castle and riotous Hogmanay revelries to bring in the new year. The Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre, 2 Princes Street (tel: (0131) 473 3800; fax: (0131) 473 3881; e-mail: esic@eltd.org; website: www.edinburgh.org) provides further information and is open Monday-Saturday 0900-1700 (open later in summer). See the Edinburgh city guide for details.
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Excursions