Say what you want about Glasgow but you can’t deny that this Scottish city has got a certain something about it. Not only is it one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in the UK, it’s also a stone’s throw away from some of Scotland’s most breathtaking scenery.
You’ll find all the usual ingredients of a trip north of the border here, including bagpipes, kilts and haggis, but you also won’t need to look hard to find something a little more modern and edgy.
Glasgow – something old and something new
If you’re after an experience that’s 100% Scottish, Piping Live! 2013 will be right up your street. It’s the event in the piping calendar and now it’s in its tenth year, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before.
From 11th – 18th August Piping Live! will be taking over St Enoch Square, right in the centre of Glasgow. And take it from us, parking couldn’t be easier. Just drop your car off at Q Park on Fox Street and you’ll find Piping Live! right around the corner. The piping events run all day and they’re so central that it’s easy to pop in and out throughout the day.
Watching the World Pipe Band Championships can be thirsty work, so it’s a good job Stewart’s Victorian Tearooms are just around the corner to keep in line with the traditional feel. The homemade soup of the day with a crusty bread roll is particularly tasty but do you know what the best bit of the day will be? If you fancy yourself as a wannabe piper, there are ‘come and try bagpipes’ sessions running all day where you can have a go yourself. We warn you though, it’s harder than it looks…
Now let’s fast forward to the 21st century and the UDO World Street Dance Championships 2013. If you’ve heard of Diversity from Britain’s Got Talent, you’ll definitely know about street dance. The over 18s will be competing for a £7000 prize so get ready to see the dancers dance like they’ve never danced before. And if you never see a real one-on-one hip hop dance battle… Well, you’re missing out.
Outside Glasgow
You really shouldn’t go to Glasgow without exploring the area around it. Take a ride on a Loch Lomond Seaplane and you’ll see the whole area from above.
Source: http://www.lochlomondseaplanes.com/news/gallery.html
Ask any Scot and they’ll tell you it’s a must-do activity while you’re in the city. There are two seaplane tours you can go on – along the west coast or up to Loch Lomond. But speaking from experience, Loch Lomond from the skies is a truly spectacular sight and probably the best route. There are three routes you can take around Loch Lomond and if you’re lucky enough to fly on a clear day, you’ll get a view that extends for miles. Make sure you pack a camera because we guarantee you’ll want to brag about this to your friends!
Those who’d like to discover the Scottish scenery from dry land can hire cars from Holiday Autos and explore the area at their own pace. And if you don’t mind the short drive up the M80 to Stirling, a day trip to Stirling Castle will be well worth your while. Not only is it a great day out that doesn’t break the bank, it’s also been voted the UK’s Best Heritage Attraction.
If you don’t fancy staying in the city, you could stay in Falkirk – a small town that’s well-placed for daytrips to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stirling. Holiday Autos car hire in Glasgow is perfectly placed for picking up a rental car and hopping between different Scottish towns and cities so after the short drive to Falkirk you’ll be within perfect reach of Scotland’s top sights.
You’ll also be five minutes away from one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions – the Falkirk Wheel. This rotating boat lift attracts visitors from all over the world and cost £17.5 million to build. But the best bit? Finishing your visit with a cup of coffee and delicious piece of cake at the visitor centre café.
Wow Scottish scenery is so beautiful. Glasgow. UK’s Best Heritage Attraction