Days out in Central Scotland

• Alloa Tower
  Alloa Tower is all that remains of a historic ancestral manor house, destroyed by fire in 1800. Its 11-ft-thick walls allow a unique opportunity for visitors to walk on the roof and enjoy the spectacular views.
  
• Bothwell Castle
  Bothwell Castle is the largest and finest 13th century stone castle in Scotland, much fought over during the Wars of Independence.
  
• Bucinch & Ceardach
  Bucinch and Ceardach are two tiny uninhabited islands surrounded by the waters of Loch Lomond. They were presented to The National Trust for Scotland in 1943 by Col. Charles L. Spenser of Dumfries.
  
• Burrell Collection
  In the heart of Pollok Country Park, this award-winning building contains a unique collection of art in a beautiful woodland setting.
  
• Calderglen Country Park
  Children's Zoo - this popular area has a varied collection of animals including goats, guinea pigs, snakes and owls. Don't miss the monthly 'Animal Magic' sessions!
  
• Castle Campbell
  Traditionally known as the "Castle of Gloom", Castle Campbell is beautifully sited at the head of Dollar Glen.
  
• Clydebuilt Scottish Maritime Museum
  The story of Glasgow and the River Clyde is brought vividly to life at Clydebuilt, the Scottish Maritime Museum at Braehead.
  
• Coats Observatory
  At the 1880 Annual General Meeting of the Paisley Philosophical Institution, it was proposed that the Society should purchase an astronomical telescope.
  
• Craignethan Castle
  Craignethan Castle is in a very picturesque setting overlooking the River Nethan.
  
• Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank
  A visit to the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank is a unique chance to step back into the world of the Victorian ship designer. Built in 1882 the Denny Tank was the first commercial ship model testing tank built in the world.
  
• Falkirk Wheel
  The Falkirk Wheel is a masterpiece of engineering which transports boats between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal. It is the only circular boat lift in the world.
  
• Finlaystone Country Estate
  Welcome to Finlaystone with its spectacular views across the Firth of Clyde. We hope you will find something for everyone here, whatever the season.
  
• Fossil Grove
  Fossil Grove is Glasgow's most ancient attraction. Its fossil trees provide an insight into the world of 330 million years ago.
  
• Gallery of Modern Art
  GoMA is the most visited modern art gallery in Scotland. Housed in an elegant 18th century building in the heart of Glasgow, it is the centre for the modern art collection owned by the city.
  
• Geilston Garden
  Set around Geilston House (not open to the public), which is thought to date from the late 17th century, this enchanting garden was first opened to visitors in 1998.
  
• Gladstone Court Victorian Street Museum
  Children of all ages can stroll along the 'real' Victorian street and visit the small shops or perhaps sit in the schoolroom to recall the not so good old days.
  
• Glasgow Cathedral
  Glasgow Cathedral is the only Scottish mainland medieval cathedral to have survived the Reformation complete (apart from its western towers).
  
• Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
  This is the first publicly accessible store for the Glasgow City's museum service.
• Glasgow Police Museum
  At the Glasgow Police Museum you have the unique opportunity to step into the compelling and dramatic history of the United Kingdom's oldest police force.
  
• Glasgow School of Art
  The history of the Glasgow School of Art is inextricably linked to Charles Rennie Mackintosh. A graduate of the School, Mackintosh's 1896 design for a new School of Art building heralded the birth of a new style in 20th century European architecture.
  
• Glasgow Science Centre
  Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) is one of Scotland's must-see visitor attractions. GSC encapsulates the world of science and technology in new, fun and exciting ways.
  
• Greenbank Garden
  Within easy reach of city dwellers, this unique walled garden contains a collection of designs of particular interest to suburban gardeners. These include a parterre layout, fountains and a woodland walk.
  
• Greenhill Covenanters House
  Greenhill is a place where time has been made to stand still taking us back from the time when King James VI travelled south of the border to his new kingdom to the time over a century later when the two kingdoms were united.
  
• Hidden Treasures Museum of Lead Mining
  Wanlockhead is Britain's highest village, sitting over 1500 feet up in the dramatic scenery of the Lowther Hills. At Hidden Treasures visitors can explore the rich culture and heritage of Wanlockhead and its people.
  
• Hill House
  The finest of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's domestic creations, The Hill House sits high above the Clyde commanding fine views over the river estuary.
  
• Holmwood House
  Holmwood has been described as Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's finest domestic design. It was built in 1857-8 for James Couper who, with his brother Robert, owned Millholm Paper Mills on the banks of the River Cart.
  
• Hutchesons' Hall
  The present building was designed and built in 1802-5 by David Hamilton and major reconstruction work by John Baird in 1876 resulted in today's impressive interior, with its elegant hall and staircase.
  
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
  Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has welcomed over 6 million visitors since reopening in 2006.
  
• Lanark Museum
  The Royal Burgh of Lanark Museum, situated near the centre of this busy market town, was established in 1990 and houses a collection of items which are used to illustrate the ancient and varied history of the town.
  
• Moat Park Heritage Centre
  History in the Moat Park is interpreted in an unusual way; here the visitor can see a series of detailed scale models depicting archaeological sites as they would have been seen at the time of their use.
  
• Motherwell Heritage Centre
  The main feature of the centre is the multi-media 'Technopolis' facility This takes the visitor from the arrival of the Romans in the area, through the rise and fall of heavy industry to the present day regeneration of the district.
  
• National Museum of Rural Life
  You'll find plenty to fill your day out at the National Museum of Rural Life.
  
• New Lanark World Heritage Site
  Over 200 years ago the beautiful sandstone cotton mills of New Lanark were founded in a dramatic gorge in Southern Scotland. Soon the village became known all over the world because of the work of mill owner and social pioneer Robert Owen.
  
• Paisley Museum
  The Paisley Pattern is a design classic, you can see the beauty of the original shawls and discover the story of their intricate art at Paisley Museum and Art Galleries.
  
• People's Palace and Winter Gardens
  The People's Palace is Glasgow's social history museum, set in historic Glasgow Green.
  
• Pollok House
  Pollok House is an elegant country house situated in the tranquil surroundings of Pollok Country Park.
  
• Provand's Lordship
  Step back in time and discover a piece of Glasgow's history with a visit to the only medieval house in Glasgow.
  
• Riverside Museum
  Riverside Museum is a new evolution for the Glasgow Museum of Transport, previously located in Kelvin Hall.
  
• Scotland Street School Museum
  Glasgow's most celebrated architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868-1928) designed Scotland Street School between 1903 and 1906 for the School Board of Glasgow.
  
• Scottish Football Museum - Hampden
  See more than 2500 exhibits in 14 galleries, walk amongst Scotland's footballing legends in the Hall Of Fame and take the Stadium tour……….it's who we are.
  
• St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
  The award-winning St Mungo Museum explores the importance of religion in people's lives and art across the world and across time. It aims to promote understanding and respect between people of different faiths and of none.
  
• Summerlee Industrial Museum
  Summerlee Industrial Museum is a VisitScotland '4 Star' attraction and 'Best Working Attraction' award winner. Its 22 acres are based around the site of the 19th Century Summerlee Ironworks.
  
• Tenement House
  Here is a typical Victorian tenement flat of 1892, a fascinating time capsule of the first half of the 20th century.
  
• The Lighthouse
  The Lighthouse, Scotland's first, dedicated, national centre for architecture and design, was opened by HM Queen Elizabeth in 1999, a renamed, £13 million conversion of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's 1895 Glasgow Herald newspaper office.
  
• The Museum of Piping
  Compiled over many years, the collection of piping photographs, instruments and other memorabilia is unrivalled.
  
• Weaver's Cottage
  This typical 18th-century handloom weaver's cottage contains the last example of the 800 looms working in the village of Kilbarchan in the 1830s.
  

Places to Visit in Central Scotland

• Alexandria
  Tucked in the Vale of Leven in Central Scotland, Alexandria is a large town 20 miles north west Glasgow. It is on the busy A82 which links Glasgow with Loch Lomond.
  
• Baillieston
  We have just received a description of Baillieston from one of our readers. This description is currently being prepared for publication and will appear on this page within the next few days.
  
• Cumbernauld
  Cumberland is a new town in Central Scotland, 13 miles north east of Glasgow.
  
• Douglas
  The village of Douglas, in Central Scotland, is located in the Clyde Valley, close to the M74 motorway. It is 33 miles southeast of Glasgow.
  
• Dumbarton
  Dumbarton in Central Scotland sits on the north bank of the River Clyde almost opposite Port Glasgow.
  
• Eaglesham
  While visiting Eaglesham, unless drawn to the attractions of the nearby city, there is little need to leave its village atmosphere.
  
• East Kilbride
  East Kilbride is mostly known for being a shopping mecca of central Scotland. Rightly so as almost anything can be found in the Central shopping centre.
  
• Falkirk
  Falkirk is situated on the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, midway between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
  
• Glasgow
  Glasgow is Scotland's second and largest city, situated on the banks of the River Clyde; it is the gateway to the Trossachs, the beautiful West Coast and the Highlands of Scotland.
  
• Gourock
  Gourock is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and a former burgh in the county of Renfrewshire. It was once a seaside resort on the Firth of Clyde but today is a popular residential area three miles west of Greenock.
  
• Greenock
  Greenock is a sizeable town in the central Lowlands of Scotland. It was once a burgh within the former county of Renfrewshire and is now part of the urbanized area between Port Glasgow and Gourock.
  
• Hamilton
  Hamilton lies 12 miles south east of Glasgow, to the east of the M74 where the River Clyde and the Avon Water merge. It is in the west central Lowlands of Scotland.
  
• Motherwell
  Motherwell is a small town 15 miles south east of Glasgow on the east side of the Clyde Valley.
• Port Glasgow
  Port Glasgow is one of the largest towns in the Inverclyde area. It is situated on the south bank of the River Clyde, east of Greenock.
  
• Stirling
  The Royal Burgh of Stirling is one of the most important towns in Scotland's history. Stirling has borne witness to many of the important events of the past, which significantly shaped the country's future.