For a Half Day

Loch Lomond: Britain’s largest expanse of fresh water captures the Scottish landscape in microcosm. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (tel: (01389) 722 600; website: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org), Scotland’s first national park, is located some 20km (12 miles) northwest of Glasgow and offers an excellent chance to watch wildlife and experience a taste of highland scenery. Balloch is the largest town on Loch Lomond and is reachable by train from Queen Street station (low level). The Balloch Tourist Information Office (tel: 0870 720 0607; website: www.visitscottishheartlands.com), open from April to October, provides further information. The office and a park orientation centre are situated in the Loch Lomond Shores visitor attraction and shopping complex. To beat the crowds on the ground, take a trip with Loch Lomond Seaplanes (tel: 0870 242 1457; website: www.lochlomondseaplanes.com). Thirty- or 45-minute tours depart from the Clyde outside the Glasgow Science Centre.

For a Whole Day

New Lanark: Nominated as a World Heritage Site, this village is the realisation of idealistic social planning in the Industrial Age. Founded in 1785, near the Falls of Clyde, this cotton-spinning village has been restored as a living community and tourist attraction, with one of the mills being converted into a hotel. The New Lanark Visitor Centre (tel: (01555) 661 345; website: www.newlanark.org) has interpretative displays and the ‘New Millennium Experience’ ride. Trains run from Glasgow Central station (low level) to Lanark, from where buses are available to New Lanark. The Lanark Tourist Information Centre, Horsemarket, Ladyacre (tel: (01555) 661 661), provides further information, including bus timetables and fares.

The P S Waverley: The world's last sea-going paddle steamer (tel: 0845 130 4647; website: www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk) explores the Firth of Clyde. Departures are from the Science Centre (Jun-Aug only).

Edinburgh: Located approximately 50km (31 miles) east of Glasgow, and less than one hour away by train, this great Scottish city and apparent rival of Glasgow is famous for its brooding castle and riotous Hogmanay revelries to bring in the new year. The Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre, 3 Princes Street (tel: 0845 225 5121; website: www.edinburgh.org), provides further information and is open daily 0900-1700 (open later in summer). See the Edinburgh city guide for details.