Day Off
Things to do in....
MILNGAVIE:
Museums and Art Galleries
Lillie Art Gallery
Station Road, Milngavie (opposite train station where free car parking available)
0141 578 8847
Open: Tues- Saturday 10-1 & 2-5
Free Admission
Disabled Access
Gallery Shop
The Gallery boasts a huge variety of Scottish painitngs and sculptures dating from 1880 to present date. Examples include the Scottish Colourists Francis Cadell and JD Ferguson, local artist Mary Armour, Alan Davie and Joan Eardley. Various exhibitions are held throughout the year.
During winter and spring, saturday morning art classes are held for children
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
Argyle Street
Glasgow
G3 8AG
Scotland
(Free admission, café, shop, disabled access)
open daily 10am to 5pm,
except Fridays and Sundays 11am to 5pm
Phone +44 (0)141 276 9599
www.glasgowmuseums.com
Here you can see paintings and sculptures, many by Scottish artists. The star of the collection is Salvador Dali's ‘Christ Of St John Of The Cross’. There are sections devoted to the social history of Glasgow, natural history and one of the worlds largest collections of arms and armour.
People’s Palace at Glasgow Green.
(Free admission, Shop, Café)
Mon-Thurs 10-5pm Fri & Sun 11-5pm
Here you can learn all about the history of Glasgow and its people. Check out the Doulton Fountain at the entrance - it is the largest terracotta fountain of its kind in the world.
The Science Centre
50 Pacific Quay,
Glasgow G51
Tel: 0871 540 1000
(Take train to Exhibition Centre - Low level train from Central station)
Wonderful experience for all the family, with interactive displays, live shows and various ongoing exhibitions. Ther is also an IMAX cinema (with a screen larger than a 5-a-side football pitch). Wearing 3-D goggles, you get to experience film in ways you have never thought possible.
Walks/ Parks
Mugdock Country Park
Craigallian Road
Nr Milngavie
G62 8EL
0141 956 6100
www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk
Open all year round, (except Xmas day)
Free Admission
Visitor Centre & Tearoom (open 9-5)
Giftshop
Victorian Walled garden and Garden centre
There are a number of walks in and around the park. Maps of these wwalks can be obtained from the visitor centre shop.
Carbeth Huts-
For those interested in Milngavie history, a visit to the Carbeth Huts is a must. The huts have existed since the 1920’s, built during the depression by Glaswegians wanting to own their own affordable country retreat. ‘Hutters’ as they are known, would pay the land owner ‘rent’ and build their own hut to their own tastes and comfort. It is interesting to see the huts and how they have been constructed, some looking more hospitable than others! The huts are still very much in use today, and rents are extremely high!
To reach the Carbeth Huts, you can combine your visit to Mugdock country park as the huts are located to the north of the Estate. You can pick up the ‘Carbeth & Back’ map from the visitor centre. This route will take you along part of The West Highland Way route. If you are taking the car, follow the A809 through Milngavie town centre and follow until you reach the Carbeth Inn where you can leave the car and maybe pop in for a drink on the way back!
BALMAHA:
Balmaha Boat Yard
Macfarlane & Son
The Boatyard
Balmaha
Loch Lomond
Scotland G63 0JQ
Tel: +44(0)1360 870 214
Email: boatyard@macfarlaneandson.co.uk
Hours of opening: 9am - 8pm (During Season) 9am - 5pm (Outwith Season) (Earlier opening by arrangement for fishing parties etc)
The boatyard operates a ferry/cruise service with various trips around Loch Lomond and the islands. Of particular interest is the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve which consists of Inchcailloch and a group of smaller islands. The mailboat serving the inhabited islands on the loch operates from here and also carries passengers wishing to visit the islands. If you fancy a day's fishing, or simply a lazy day on the loch, boats are available for hire.
Ben Lomond
Rowardennan is the start point for the ascent of Ben Lomond. The route follows a clearly defined path through woodland, ascending onto open moorland. The path rises fairly steeply to a ridge where it levels out until the final scramble to the summit. The total ascent is 1006 meters. Allow 4.5 hours to complete this 11.89km route.
CRIANLARICH and TYNDRUM
As both of these communities lie on the world famous West Highland Line they provide an opportunity for a diversion from the Way. A train ride to Oban will take approximately 1hr from Tyndrum or 1hr 10min from Crianlarich. Oban is a bustling fishing port with plenty of tourist attractions, not least of which is McCaigs Tower - a folly in the shape of the Colliseum which dominates the skyline above the town. Known as the Gateway to the Isles, Oban is the departure point for ferries to the Western Isles.
FORT WILLIAM
West Highland Museum
Cameron Square,
Fort William,
PH33 6AJ
Tel: 01397 702169
Facilities: Shop, Disabled Access, Tours.
Admission: June to September; 10.00-5.00 Monday to Saturday; July and August also ; 2.00-5.00 Sundays; October to May; 10.00-4.00 Monday to Saturday; Adult £2; Child 50p; Concession £1.50.
A deliberately old-fashioned, traditional museum with local history, archaeology, natural history and geology.
Lochaber Leisure Centre
Belford Road
Fort William
PH33 6BU
Tel: 01397 707254
Swimming pool with water slide, squash courts, fitness suite, sauna, solarium and bouldering wall.
Ben Nevis Distillery
Lochy Bridge
Fort William
PH33 6TJ
Tel: 01397 700200 (Visitors Centre)
OPEN ALL YEAR
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
Easter to September - Saturday 10am - 4pm
July to August- Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm
October to Easter - Saturday, Sunday, and Evening by arrangement
Guided tours and whisky tasting, coffee shop and restaurant.
Ben Nevis (1344m)
If you have an energy left after completing the West Highland Way you could always finish off the adventure by climbing Scotlands highest mountain. The 'Tourist route' starts from the Youth Hostel in Glen Nevis or from the visitors centre at Achintee Farm. This is a strenuous climb and you should allow up to 4 hours for the ascent and 2 to 3 hours for the return trip.
