Best Day Trips from Glasgow

The Scottish city of Glasgow has a great historical, cultural and religious legacy that you can discover. There are also many tourist activities to do in its surroundings, where you will find destinations with a dreamy natural scene that you can not miss.

Among the best things to do in Glasgow you have a wide range of excursions. These depart from the city center and allow you to know 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 an excursion from the city to some of the most important places in Scotland: Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and the town of Stirling . You will live a unique experience and get into nature.

This activity will be done with a driver-guide, who will take you from the center of Glasgow to the Trossachs National Park on a route of at least 42 minutes. Upon arrival, you will explore this wonderful natural lung and enjoy a dazzling natural landscape with lush forests, hills and lochs.

Some of the places you will pass along this tour are the following:

• Loch Lomond, which offers a privileged panoramic view and a peaceful atmosphere. In addition, if you wish, you can take a cruise on this beautiful lake.
• The small town of Stirling, with stunning scenery and a rich architectural heritage. For example, Stirling Castle, which you can visit and contemplate the skyline from its walls.

In addition, on this day trip to Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Stirling from Glasgow, you will have the option to visit the village of Luss. This is located on the shores of Loch Lomond and has a picturesque scene thanks to its stone houses and a different 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 it, you can dedicate 1 day in Glasgow to go to the famous Loch Ness, passing through the Highlands and the Glencoe Valley. You will visit some of the natural wonders of Scotland where you will spend unforgettable moments.

Generally, this tour departs from the city center and runs aboard a car with a driver-guide, who will tell you the history and importance of each of the places as you pass by . For a whole day you will be surrounded by a dreamlike natural scene: stunning mountains, beautiful hills, vibrant waterfalls and more.

Among the main stops you will make in this activity are the following:

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

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

Details of interest

• Price: this experience has an approximate price of 90€ per person.
• Duration: about 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, which tell part of Scotland's history and offer idyllic natural spaces.

With this day trip to Glenfinnan, Mallaig and Glencoe from Glasgow you will depart from the city center. All along the way you will be accompanied by beautiful mountain scenery with lochs and valleys along the way, which you will be able to see from the bus window. Also, being a guided activity you will have a guide who will 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 coastal town of Fort William, where you will 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 great tourist attraction crosses the Scottish countryside and was immortalized in the Harry Potter saga as the place where the Hogwarts Express passes.

Details of interest

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

If during your stay in Glasgow you want to take the opportunity to visit the Isle of Skye and enjoy its rugged scenery, then you should take part in a 3-day tour to this important destination. You will discover everything that hides one of the most famous islands of Scotland.

You will travel in a minibus from Glasgow, you will pass through the Scottish Highlands and you will contemplate its impressive landscape: mountains, lochs and valleys. You will also stop at Loch Ness, with its serene and mysterious waters due to the mythical creature that inhabits them, Nessie.

On this 3-day excursion to the Isle of Skye from Glasgow you will also pass by the island of Eilean Donan, on which stands a 13th century castle that bears his name. From its walls and towers you will have a privileged view of Lake Duich.

Finally, you will arrive at the Isle of Skye. This island has an area of approximately 1,656 km² and connects with 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 .

Details of interest

• 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 take from Glasgow is the tour of the Scottish coast on a steamboat. You will sail from the city to Tighnabruaich aboard the historic Waverley and immerse yourself in the fascinating maritime history of Scotland while discovering beautiful places.

You should go to the pier next to the Glasgow Science Centre. There, you will board the boat and begin the adventure, with the following being some of the destinations you will stop at:

• Greenock Harbour with a beautiful village from which you can see Dumbarton Castle in the distance.
• The village of Dunoon, with a quiet atmosphere, Victorian buildings and cobblestone streets.
• The strait of Kyles of Bute, with stunning panoramic views led by the crystal clear waters of the Isle of Bute and the coast of Argyll. Undoubtedly, a very photogenic destination.
• The town 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 will return to the starting point in the city, with plenty of time to continue with the activities on your itinerary. You may have time to join one of Glasgow' s best tours to discover the local cuisine, street art or history of the city on a guided tour of Glasgow.

Details of interest

• Price: from 26€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: aboard a historic boat (the last maritime steamship in the world).
• Disadvantages of this option: perhaps the time of the stops is a little limited to discover all that hides each of the villages.

If you are an Outlander TV series enthusiast and you are in Glasgow, you should join a tour of the Highlands to see some of the locations used in the show. You will see ancient villages, Scottish castles and breathtaking natural landscapes.

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

Among the villages that usually incorporates the itinerary of this activity are 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.
• The 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 Creek you will see the medieval fortress of the year 1400. Called Doune Castle, it represents the home of Clan MacKenzie in Outlander.
• The town of Linlithgow west of Edinburgh: this city is notable for the Linlithgow Palace, present in Scotland since the twelfth century. Its ruins served to shape the Wentworth prison where Jamie is tortured.

Details of interest

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

Taking a tour from Glasgow will allow you to discover new places and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will enjoy nature and have the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of Scotland.

It is certainly an enriching experience worth taking advantage of if the timing of your itinerary in Glasgow allows it. 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 each of the experiences. Some of them are:

• Take some snacks with you. Remember that these types of experiences do not always incorporate food and drink, so it is good to have something to recharge your batteries with.
• In Scotland the weather is often unpredictable and you should keep an eye on the weather forecast before you set off on your excursion. This way, you will be able to wear the appropriate clothing.
• Do not forget the mosquito repellent, as you will need it when you are immersed in nature.
• Wear closed and comfortable shoes. This way, you will be able to walk on trails and any uneven terrain safely.