A weekend in Glasgow will certainly tick off its highlights, but an extended holiday to Scotland’s second city and gateway to the Highlands opens up many of the country’s other delights. Enjoy a breath of fresh air among the mountains of Glencoe, trace centuries of history in medieval castles and sample Highland whiskies – all within a few hours of the city’s borders.
For more Glasgow inspiration, see our guides to the city’s best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do.
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Best for walks
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
The “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond certainly live up to their name, but Scotland’s first national park has plenty for keen walkers too. There are trails to suit all abilities, from easy ambles along the park’s 22 lochs and lochans to serious munro-bagging climbs, the tallest of which is Ben More, at 1,174m.
Website: lochlomond-trossachs.org
Area: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
How to get there: It’s a 45-minute drive from Glasgow City Centre to Balloch, at the southern end of Loch Lomond, or just over an hour to the car park at the base of Ben Lomond.
Arrochar
On the banks of Loch Long, Arrochar is a pretty jumping off point for those who want to explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park without a car. Here, the Arrochar Alps have both walks and munro climbs that are achievable in a day. Reward yourself with a pint in the beer garden at Ben Arthur’s Bothy.
Website: lochlomond-trossachs.org
Area: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
How to get there: The train from Glasgow Queen Street to Arrochar & Tarbet station takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Glencoe
Used as the setting for James Bond’s return home in Skyfall, Glencoe is picture-postcard Highlands. The area is scribbled with walking trails but one of the most picturesque is the Coire Gabhail (Hidden Valley). You can also discover a replica of a 17th-century turf and creel house at the National Trust for Scotland visitor centre or go up the chairlift to the mountain resort.
Website: nts.org.uk/visit/places/glencoe
Area: Highlands
How to get there: Drive from Glasgow in just over two hours.
Mugdock Country Park
Just outside Glasgow, Mugdock Country Park offers rurality with little effort – like the chance to spot Highland cows grazing the fields. Walk around the reservoir for views of the city and explore the ruins of castles and WWII gun batteries within the grounds. Stop No40 by Bruin for wine and homewares or Michelin-recommended Elements at nearby Bearsden on the way back.
Contact: instagram.com/mugdockcountrypark/
Area: East Dunbartonshire
How to get there: Milngavie is 20 minutes by train from Glasgow Queen Street. Mugdock Country Park is a further 15-minute walk from here.
Best for whisky
Glengoyne Distillery
At the foot of the distinctive Dumgoyne hill, Glengoyne Distillery offers a highland whisky experience within easy access of the city. Tours and tastings last between 45 minutes and 3.5 hours. From here, walkers can set out on the Pipe Track to Killearn, where they can enjoy a bite at The Kitchen Window or The Old Mill.
Website: glengoyne.com
Area: Stirlingshire
How to get there: Hourly X10 buses run from Glasgow City Centre directly to Glengoyne. The journey takes just over an hour.
Isle of Arran
Arran Whisky’s Lochranza Distillery is a beautiful one to visit, and their balanced single malts are the perfect starting point for novices – although the Gold Cream Liqueur is also a highlight. Thanks to its Lowland and Highland landscapes, the island itself is known as Scotland in miniature. A car is essential to explore its beaches, mountains and castles in a day.
Website: arranwhisky.com
Area: Ayrshire
How to get there: The ferry from Adrossan takes 55 minutes or 80 minutes from Troon. Both are within an hour’s drive of Glasgow.
Luss Distillery
Launched in February 2026, this is the new home of Loch Lomond Whiskies, whose closed-to-the-public distillery is in nearby Alexandria. As well as guided whisky tastings, visitors can try the producer’s new Ben Lomond Gin, which is distilled on site. Luss, where Take the High Road was filmed, is a traditional little village on the banks of the loch with plenty of shops and cafés to explore.
Website: lussdistillery.com
Area: Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
How to get there: Take a bus from Buchanan Bus Station in 55 minutes.
Best for history
Royal Burgh of Culross
Fans of Outlander can get a taste of the show in this cheek-pinchingly cute town, which stood in for fictional Cranesmuir in the first and second seasons. Run by the National Trust for Scotland (entry from £14 for adults), it is the country’s most complete example of a 17th- and 18th-century burgh. The ochre-hued palace is a delight to explore, and you can buy goods grown in the gardens.
Website: nts.org.uk/visit/places/culross
Area: Fife
How to get there: Culross is a 45-minute drive from Glasgow centre.
Stirling
A new, low-cost train service will connect London and Stirling this summer, but it’s even easier to visit the historic city on a day trip from Glasgow. As well as its storied past – the 900-year-old Stirling Castle has hosted the likes of Robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots – cultural highlights include the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, the Albert Halls music venue and one of Scotland’s loveliest universities.
Website: yourstirling.com
Area: Stirlingshire
How to get there: Trains from Glasgow Queen Street to Stirling take 30 minutes.
Perth
Royal history abounds in the “Fair City” of Perth, Scotland’s former capital. Visit the Perth Museum to see the ancient Stone of Destiny, on which every monarch is crowned, including Charles III. Then head to nearby Scone Palace to see the stone’s origins – it was the crowning seat of Scottish kings for some 500 years between the 9th and 13th centuries.
Website: perthmuseum.co.uk
Area: Perthshire
How to get there: The train from Glasgow Queen Street to Perth takes just one hour.
Inveraray
Picturesque Inveraray on the banks of Loch Fyne feels like a million miles away from the big city. Make time to visit its fairytale castle, which has featured in Downton Abbey and The Diplomat, take the children to the interactive Inveraray Jail museum, and pop into Fyne Ales Brewery on the way home.
Website: wildaboutargyll.co.uk
Area: Argyll
How to get there: The drive to Inveraray takes around 1.5 hours.
Best for families
The Ayrshire Coastline
Almost every Glaswegian child will have splashed in the waters of Ayrshire’s seemingly never ending beaches. From Troon and Prestwick to Largs, there’s golden sand to be found all along the 106-mile coastline. The region also has castles like the impressive Culzean, golf courses (including Trump’s Turnberry), country parks and scenic coastal walks.
Website: visitscotland.com
Area: Ayrshire
How to get there: Train to Ayr from Glasgow Central in 55 minutes.
New Lanark
Social pioneer Robert Owen ran this 18th-century cotton mill village with a focus on education and worker welfare. Today a Unesco World Heritage Site, the beautifully preserved village is a family-friendly trip back in time, complete with a classroom, Victorian houses and the Annie McLeod ride, which follows the life of a young mill worker. The Falls of Clyde, especially spectacular in autumn, are also nearby.
Website: newlanark.org
Area: South Lanarkshire
How to get there: Drive from Glasgow centre in 45 minutes.
Lost Shore Surf Resort
Surfers of all ages and abilities are catered to at the inland Lost Shore just 45 minutes from Glasgow. Children can learn to catch waves and perfect their technique in the giant wave pool, while adults can retreat to spa and sauna for some pampering. There are three restaurants offering brunch, tacos and pizza, too.
Website: lostshore.com
Area: Midlothian
How to get there: Drive to Lost Shore in 45 minutes.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.