Best Day Trips from Glasgow

The Scottish city of Glasgow has a rich historical, cultural and religious heritage for you to discover. There are also plenty of tourist activities to do in the surrounding area, where you'll find destinations with a dreamy natural scene that you won't want to miss.

Among the best things to do in Glasgow are a wide range of excursions. These depart from the city centre and allow you to discover many interesting and outstanding places in Scotland, which are located in the surroundings of Glasgow. Such is the case of the Trossachs National Park, the Highlands, Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, the Glenfinnan Viaduct, among other destinations.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, during your stay in Glasgow you can take a trip from the city to some of the most important places in Scotland: Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and the town of Stirling . You'll have a unique experience and get out into nature.

You'll be accompanied by a driver-guide, who will take you from Glasgow city centre to the Trossachs National Park on a route lasting at least 42 minutes. Upon arrival, you will explore this wonderful natural lung and enjoy the stunning natural scenery of lush woodland, hills and lochs.

Some of the places you will pass through on this tour include the following:

• Loch Lomond, which offers a privileged panoramic view and a tranquil atmosphere. You can also take a cruise on this beautiful loch if you wish.
• The small town of Stirling, with stunning scenery and a rich architectural heritage. For example, Stirling Castle, which you can visit and gaze at the skyline from its ramparts.

Also, on this day trip to Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Stirling from Glasgow, you'll have the option of visiting the village of Luss. Luss is located on the shores of Loch Lomond and has a picturesque scene with its stone houses and a distinct view of the surrounding mountains.

Details of interest

• Price: from €53 per person.
• Duration: the tour lasts 8 hours and 30 minutes (approx.).
• Means of transport: in an air-conditioned van.
• Disadvantages of this option: the visit to Stirling Castle is not usually included.

If the timing of your itinerary allows, you can spend 1 day in Glasgow travelling to the famous Loch Ness, via the Highlands and Glencoe Valley. You'll visit some of Scotland' s natural wonders and spend some unforgettable moments.

This tour usually starts from the city centre and takes place in a car with a driver-guide, who will tell you about the history and importance of each of the sites as you pass by . For a full day you'll be surrounded by a dreamlike natural scene: stunning mountains, beautiful hills, vibrant waterfalls and more.

Some of the main stops you'll make on this activity include the following:

• The Highlands, with its idyllic landscape of lush greenery, rolling hills and crystal-clear rivers. You will also discover the picturesque village of Fort Augustus, home to some 700 inhabitants.
• The Glencoe Valley, which will immediately grab your attention with its immense mountains.
• The Cairngorms National Park, home to species such as the Scottish wildcat and the capercaillie. Both are endangered.
• Loch Ness, where you can take a boat ride and hear about the legendary monster Nessie.

Plus, on this day trip to Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands from Glasgow you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful 12th century Scottish baronial architecture of Stirling Castle, which served as a defensive fortress against English attacks.

Interesting details

• Price: this experience costs approximately £90 per person.
• Duration: around 12 hours.
• Means of transport: aboard a minibus.

Glasgow is surrounded by many traditional villages such as Glenfinnan, Mallaig and Glencoe, which you can access on a day trip and wander through these magical places that tell part of Scotland's history and offer idyllic natural spaces.

This day trip to Glenfinnan, Mallaig and Glencoe from Glasgow departs from the city centre. All along the way you'll be accompanied by beautiful mountain scenery with lakes and valleys along the way, which you'll be able to see from the bus window. Also, as this is a guided activity you will have a guide to tell you the history of the whole region.

Some of the fantastic places you will visit include the following:

• The Glencoe Valley with its vibrant green meadows in the high mountains.
• The fishing village of Mallaig, where ferries depart for the Isle of Skye.
• The seaside town of Fort William, where you'll find Inverlochy Castle, a privileged view of Ben Nevis Mountain and the locks of the Caledonian Canal.
• The Glenfinnan Railway Viaduct, built between 1897 and 1901. This major tourist attraction crosses the Scottish countryside and was immortalised in the Harry Potter saga as the site of the Hogwarts Express.

Interesting details

• Price: from £80 per person.
• Duration: approximately 11 hours and 30 minutes.
• Means of transport: in a comfortable bus.
• Disadvantages of this option: the price of the excursion does not usually cover entrance to the monuments.

If you want to make the most of your time in Glasgow to visit the Isle of Skye and enjoy its rugged scenery, then you should join a 3-day tour to this top destination. You'll discover all there is to discover on one of Scotland's most famous islands.

Travelling by minibus from Glasgow, you'll pass through the Scottish Highlands and take in the stunning scenery of mountains, lochs and valleys. You'll also stop at Loch Ness, with its serene and mysterious waters due to the mythical creature that lives there, Nessie.

On this 3-day tour to the Isle of Skye from Glasgow you'll also pass the island of Eilean Donan, on which stands a 13th century castle that bears its name. From its ramparts and towers you'll get a great view of Loch Duich.

Finally, you'll reach the Isle of Skye. This island has an area of approximately 1,656 km² and connects to the Atlantic Ocean. Here you will find beautiful beaches such as Coral Beach with its turquoise waters, Dunvegan Castle, at the foot of a lake and surrounded by lush vegetation, and the Kilt Rock waterfalls, among other destinations .

Useful details

• Price: from £526 per person.
• Duration: 3 days.
• Means of transport: on board a minibus.
• Advantages of this option: breakfast and accommodation are included in the tour.

Another must-do excursion you can do from Glasgow is to cruise the Scottish coastline on a steamship. You'll sail from the city to Tighnabruaich aboard the historic Waverley and immerse yourself in Scotland's fascinating maritime history while discovering beautiful places.

Make your way to the pier next to the Glasgow Science Centre. There, you'll board the boat and begin your adventure, with the following being some of the destinations you'll stop at:

• Greenock Harbour with a beautiful village overlooking Dumbarton Castle in the distance.
• The village of Dunoon, with its tranquil atmosphere, Victorian buildings and cobbled streets.
• The Sound of Kyles of Bute, with stunning panoramic views led by the crystal clear waters of the Isle of Bute and the Argyll coastline. A very photogenic destination indeed.
• The village of Tighnabruaich, a real hidden gem on the Scottish coast. There, you can stroll along the seashore and have lunch in the restaurants.

Afterwards, you'll return to your starting point in the city, with plenty of time to continue with the activities on your itinerary. Perhaps you'll have time to join one of Glasgow' s best tours to discover the local food, street art or history of the city on a guided tour of Glasgow.

Interesting details

• Price: from £26 per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: on board a historic ship (the last ocean-going steamer in the world).
• Disadvantages of this option: perhaps the time of the stops is a little limited to discover all that each of the villages has to offer.

If you're a fan of the TV series Outlander and you're in Glasgow, you should join a tour of the Highlands to see some of the locations used in the show. You'll see ancient villages, Scottish castles and stunning natural scenery.

You'll set off from Glasgow with a driver who will guide you throughout the tour and tell you the history of each location and some anecdotes about the actors in the filming of Outlander.

Typical villages on the itinerary for this activity include the following:

• Falkland Village: a picturesque place where the Falkland Palace, belonging to the Scottish monarchy, is located. It appears in the first season of the series.
• Blackness village: you will find a fortress with a history dating back to the 15th century known as Blackness Castle In the series it represents Fort William, where several important plots take place, such as the death of Jamie's father and the rescue of Claire.
• The town of Doune: right at the mouth of the Ardoch Brook you will see the medieval fortress from the 1400s. Called Doune Castle, it represents the home of Clan MacKenzie in Outlander.
• The town of Linlithgow west of Edinburgh: this town is notable for Linlithgow Palace, which has been in Scotland since the 12th century. Its ruins were used to shape Wentworth Prison where Jamie is tortured.

Details of interest

• Price: from £500 per person.
• Duration: around 8 hours.
• Means of transport: you will travel in a minibus.

A trip from Glasgow will allow you to discover new places and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. You'll enjoy nature and have the opportunity to learn more about Scotland's history and culture.

It's definitely an enriching experience worth taking advantage of if the timing of your Glasgow itinerary allows. You can visit places like Stirling Castle, the Highlands, the Trossachs National Park, Loch Ness, among other destinations.

When embarking on an excursion from Glasgow it is important to take into consideration some tips that will allow you to avoid inconveniences and make the most of every experience. Some of them are:

• Take some snacks with you. Remember that these types of experiences don't always incorporate food and drink, so it's good to have something to recharge your batteries with.
• The weather in Scotland is often unpredictable and you should keep an eye on the weather forecast before you set off. That way, you'll be able to pack the right clothing.
• Don't forget mosquito repellent, as you'll need it when you're out in the wilderness.
• Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. This way, you will be able to walk on the trails and any uneven terrain safely.