Shipping magnate Sir William Burrell (1861–1958) was rich beyond most people’s wildest dreams and far keener on collecting fine art than most too. The result was one of the world’s largest solo collections – around 9,000 items from a truly eclectic range of eras and cultures: from stained glass and medieval tapestries; to Middle Eastern antiquities; to Chinese ceramics; and...
The vast Georgian stately home of Culzean (kul-LAYN) is celebrated for the gentility of its design, and its marvellously wild and windswept clifftop setting on the Firth of Clyde – and for the arresting contrast between the two. There have been fortifications of some sort here since the 12th century, but the present structure dates back to an 18th century...
This custom-built mountain biking centre has 35km of trails that are rideable year-round and with something for everyone. There’s a good beginner trail; a bike park with sizeable jumps; an advanced (red) trail with extended section that flows through the woods on boardwalks; and a rocky black-graded (expert) trail that’s among Scotland’s toughest. And all provide good views of the...
The food may be simple and solid –wraps soups and burgers – but it’s so good that lines of hungry customers often block the stairs to this first-floor café. Easily best spot for breakfast and lunch in town; its home-baking is excellent too. The menu offers pretty much everything in veggie or vegan forms, but whatever your requirements, expect large...
Good quality deli serving soups, sandwiches and lots of cakes. Also great place to pick up local specialties and a good wine selection too. The Scottish Deli in Pitlochry has the same owner.
Though the city’s best-known street, Sauchiehall Street (pronounced: Sockie-hall) is mostly just a line of chain stores. But there’s a nice buzz about the pedestrianized zone all the same. Its one really Glasgow-specific sight is the Willow Tea Rooms (Mon–Sat 9.30am-4.30pm, some Sundays) above a jeweller at #217. The interiors – right down to the cutlery and menus – are...