Comprising the area immediately south of Stirling
and Loch Lomond and extending south through Lanarkshire, this region
is obviously dominated by the city of Glasgow, Scotland's
largest city, and the River Clyde. As well as being a major retail
centre, Glasgow is also renowned for being a major artistic and
cultural centre.
Balloch Castle Country Park, Balloch, West Dunbartonshire
Set on 200 acres of varied countryside, Balloch Castle Country Park
is located near the southern shores of Loch Lomond and offers superb
woodland walks. A moated mound marks the site of the ancient Balloch
Castle. Phone: + 44 1389 722600
Bothwell Castle
Bothwell Castle, Uddingston, Near Hamilton
Comprising a courtyard surrounded by a series of towers, this was
the largest 13th century stone castle in Scotland. Various additions
have been made, including a 15th century tower, great hall and chapel.
Phone: + 44 1698 816894
Burrell Collection, Pollok Country Park, Glasgow
Housed in the grounds of Pollok Country Park, the Burrell Collection
comprises a diverse collection of over 8,000 art exhibits. Phone:
+ 44 141 2872550
Chatelherault Country Park, Ferniegair, Near Hamilton
This 18th century hunting lodge was restored in the 1980's.
Visitors can explore the lodge; gardens and museum, while woodland
walks provide access to the gorge of the River Avon, ancient oaks
and the ruins of Cadzow Castle. Phone: + 44 1698 426213
Clydebuilt Scottish Maritime Museum, Braehead, Glasgow
The museum features an exhibition charting the development of Glasgow
and the River Clyde from 1700 to today. The story is told through
audio-visuals, interactive displays and exhibitions. Phone: + 44
141 8861013
Craignethan Castle, Near Lanark, South Lanarkshire
Set by the River Nethan, Craignethan was built by Sir James Hamilton
circa 1530 and featured a huge rampart, now demolished. Some additions
were made over the years, including a tower house, which remains
well preserved. Phone: + 44 1555 860364
David Livingston Centre, Blantyre, Near Hamilton
This 18th century house features a museum devoted to the missionary
and explorer David Livingston of "Doctor Livingston I presume" fame,
who was born here in 1813. Visitors can learn about his life and
explorations. Phone: + 44 1698 823140
Dumbarton Castle, Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire
Situated just north of Glasgow, the remains of this impressive castle
lie on Dumbarton Rock, a volcanic formation overlooking the River
Clyde and measuring some 200 feet in height. There are over 500
steps throughout the castle. Phone: + 44 1389 732167
Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve
Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve, Near New Lanark
Lining both sides of the gorge, the reserve's woodland is
home to an array of wildlife, including deer, foxes and badgers.
Phone: + 44 1555 665262
Finlaystone Country Estate, Langbank, Near Greenock
Built in the 14th century, Finlaystone House is home to the Chief
of the Clan MacMillan. The grounds contain formal gardens, woodland
walks and a visitor centre, which details the history of the Clan
MacMillan. Phone: + 44 1475 540285
Greenhill Covenanters House, Burn Braes, Biggar,
South Lanarkshire
The museum takes visitors back to the troubled 17th century to
the time of the signing of the National Covenant, the civil war
and
the "killing times" when people were hunted down for
worshipping in the open fields. Phone: + 44 1899 221050
Hunterian Museum & Art Gallery, Off University
Avenue, Glasgow
Founded on Doctor William Hunter's collections, this was Scotland's
first public museum and the gallery section holds paintings by Rembrandt,
Chardin and Stubbs. Phone: + 44 141 3304221
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Kelvingrove, Glasgow
With its striking sandstone façade, this is one of Glasgow's
most popular attractions. It houses a varied art collection by
the
likes of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Picasso, while it also features
a large natural history section. Phone: + 44 141 2872699
Low Parks Museum, Muir Street, Hamilton
Housed in historic buildings, which were once part of the Duke of
Hamilton's estate, the museum explores the history of the
area through a series of displays, while an exhibition gives the
history of the Cameronians Regiment. Phone: + 44 1698 328232
McLean Museum & Art Gallery, 15 Kelly Street,
Greenock
Displays include exhibitions on local history, ship models, natural
history and Egyptology. Special exhibits include the arms and armour
of a Samurai warrior and mounted animals, including an Indian tiger
and crocodile. Phone: + 44 1475 715624
Motherwell Heritage Centre, Motherwell, North Lanarkshire
Overlooking the Clyde Valley, the main feature of the centre is
a multi-media facility, which takes the visitor from the arrival
of the Romans, through the rise and fall of heavy industry to the
present-day regeneration of the area. Phone: + 44 1698 251000
Museum of Scottish Country Life, East Kilbride
Showing how rural folk lived and worked in Scotland in bygone days,
a new museum here houses the national country life collections and
the original Georgian farmhouse and working farm at Wester Kittochside.
Phone: + 44 1355 224181
Museum of Transport, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow
Devoted to the history of transport, cars, trains, trams, motorbikes
and boats are all on display at this museum. Features include a
reconstruction of a 1938 street and a railway station with a display
of locomotives. Phone: + 44 141 2872720
Newark Castle
Newark Castle, Port Glasgow, Near Greenock
Built by George Maxwell and once occupied by James IV, this elegant
15th century castle remains virtually intact. Phone: + 44 1475 741858
New Lanark World Heritage Village, Near Lanark
This cotton mill village was founded in 1785 and became famous
as the site of Robert Owen's model community. Today, the history
of
the village is interpreted via "The New Millennium Experience",
a mill worker's house, the home of Robert Owen himself and "Annie
McLeod's Story". Phone: + 44 1555 661345
Paisley Museum & Art Gallery, Paisley
Along with displays of 19th century Scottish art and ceramics, visitors
can learn about old weaving techniques and see the world's
largest collection of Paisley shawls. Phone: + 44 141 8893151
Piping Centre, Macphater Street, Glasgow
Housing Scotland's finest collection of bagpipes, the Museum of
Piping is situated within the Piping Centre. The priceless collection
is presented in a lively, audio-visual format that is both entertaining
and enlightening. Phone: + 44 141 3530220
Royal Highland Fusiliers Museum, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow
The museum covers over 300 years of one of the country's oldest
Regiments from its inception in 1678. Displays include rare examples
of uniforms and medals, while the display on both World Wars include
poignant reminders of the horrors of war as well as examples of
the courage displayed by Scottish soldiers. Phone: + 44 141 3320961
Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour, Off Stobcross Road,
Glasgow
Built in 1896, the Glenlee is one of the last remaining Clydebuilt
sailing ships still afloat. An exhibition describes life on the
ship. Phone: + 44 141 2222513
Tenement House, Buccleuch Street, Glasgow
Featuring original furnishing and fittings, this is a typical lower
middle class Glasgow tenement flat of the late 19th century. An
exhibition gives an insight into tenement living and the history
of tenements in Glasgow. Phone: + 44 141 3330183
