Loch Lomond @ photo by Helen Ochyra.
It is truly spectacular. Take off is smooth and suddenly we are sailing over the water looking down on the islands and hills below. This is the Highland Boundary Fault, the fault line that divides the Lowlands from the Highlands, and it is immediately obvious. On one side there are rolling hills, on the other rugged mountains.
And then I realize that that is Glasgow in the distance. A vast urban centre planted right in the middle of some of the world’s most dazzling scenery. The Gaelic translation of Glasgow is “Dear Green Place” and finally I can see why. Glasgow is competing to be crowned European Green Capital for 2015, and it’s certainly got my vote.
Glasgow can attract you with more than just parks, find out why Glasgow should be your next weekend break.
Where to stay in Glasgow:
- ABode Glasgow
A classy hotel that delights on many levels, from the warm welcome and original cage lift, to the rooms themselves, of which there are four categories, ranging from ‘Comfortable’ to ‘Fabulous’; the main difference between them is size and the odd extra.
- citizenM
European chain offers a luxury experience that won’t break the bank; check in via computer then head to your room to enjoy the innovative mood lighting, hip decor and rain shower. After that, you could do a lot worse than hang around in the cool canteenM, a homely breakfast barmeets-lounge area that’s open round the clock – indeed,you’re quite likely to spend more time in this hotel than out of it.
- The Alamo Guest House
Good-value, family-run boarding house next to Kelvingrove Park, with ten rooms, each one completely different in size and character, variously featuring stucco plasterwork, French oak beds, slate-tile sinks and cast-iron chandeliers, or perhaps a freestanding tub.
- Babbity Bowsters
Best known as a pub, Babbity Bowster also features five plain but serviceable rooms (singles and doubles) that provide visitors with a great, and decently priced, Merchant City location; a simple breakfast is included.
- Moxy
Playful and energetic, this place would score highly on a budgetsavvy millennial-traveller’s checklist: flat-screen TVs, ultrafast wi-fi and an edgy, urban location – it’s just east of the city centre.
When choosing travel destinations in Scotland, explore our list of 5 fantastic Scottish routes to take this summer.
If you prefer to plan and book your trip to Scotland without any effort and hassle, use the expertise of our local travel experts to make sure your trip will be just like you dream it to be.
Ready for a trip to Scotland? Check out the snapshot The Rough Guide to Scotland or The Rough Guide to Great Britain. If you travel further in Scotland, read more about the best time to go, the best places to visit and best things to do in Scotland. For inspiration use itineraries from The Rough Guide to Scotland and our local travel experts. A bit more hands on, learn about getting there, getting around the country and where to stay once you are there.
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Top image: Palmhouse, Glasgow Botanical Gardens © Helen Ochyra