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  1. Home
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  3. Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Lanark Loch

Kenny Lam

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

A beautiful landscape studded with lochs and coastal towns surrounding Glasgow.

Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley at a glance

  • Active & adventure:

    West Highland Way, paddleboarding & kayaking

  • Arts & culture:

    Glasgow UNESCO City of Music, Dumbarton Castle, New Lanark, country estates

  • Nature & outdoors:

    Falls of Clyde, dolphins & seals, Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park

  • Cities and towns:

    Glasgow, Lanark, Paisley

Map of Scotland

What to expect in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

From the islands of the Firth of Clyde to the shores of Loch Lomond, Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy beautiful Scottish surroundings. You can try all kinds of activities from outdoor adventures on the water to distillery tours. Stroll through pretty villages, take a ferry to Great Cumbrae or the Isle of Bute while inland, the Clyde Valley offers ancient woodlands to explore and dramatic waterfall walks to savour. Attractions like New Lanark and Dumbarton Castle will bring Scotland's fascinating past to life.  

I'll sing of a river I'm happy beside 
The song that I sing is a song of the Clyde.

Ian Gourlay / R Bell , from Song of the Clyde

Highlights in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Ready to see some unusual UNESCO heritage sites? Or take it easy as the morning mist lifts from Loch Lomond, following a scenic forest trail? 

Unusual UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Explore life at the frontiers of the Roman Empire along the Antonine Wall or find out more about the 18th century utopian mill town of New Lanark. At both of these sites you'll discover the rhythms of life in days gone by with plenty of opportunities for photography. Glasgow is also a UNESCO City of Music, so get your dancing shoes on! 

Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites 

Silvanus, the Roman Head sculpture at the Nethercroy site of the Antonine Wall

Silvanus, the Roman Head sculpture at the Nethercroy site of the Antonine Wall

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

The wonderful West Highland Way  

Ready for a trek through the lush heart of Scotland? Let the landscapes and the lochs along the way fill your heart with Scottish spirit and there's always time for a stop at a friendly pub along the way! This famous walking route begins in Milngavie and winds through spectacular scenery towards the Highlands. Strap on your walking boots and enjoy the great outdoors.

Walk the West Highland Way

Walkers on the West Highland Way

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

Explore the lochside, take a boat cruise, or just enjoy the fresh air on waymarked woodland trails in one of Scotland’s favourite landscapes. Hear the sounds of birds and the wind rustling through the trees as you let this amazing National Park wash over you. 

Visit Loch Lomond & The Trossachs

Lennox of Lomond

© Go Rural / Craig Stephen

What's on in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Footstomping live music is a part of life in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley. Choose an event to attend during your holiday and make it one to remember. 

Paisley Halloween Festival, 23 - 24 October 2026

Witness the streets of Paisley come to life with a twinkling parade, magical installations, and spooky street performances. 

Celtic Connections

Glasgow’s annual folk, roots, indie, world and traditional music festival celebrates the link between Celtic music and cultures across the globe.

Paisley Food & Drink Festival

The free-to-attend, outdoor food and drink event will host delicious food and drink traders from across Scotland.

World Pipe Band Championships

Hear the best pipe band drummers compete for the top prize!

See Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley through a new lens

Catch the light dancing across Loch Lomond and watch ferries gliding across the Firth of Clyde – this is a region with some unforgettable views. Don’t forget to tag @visitscotland  

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Discover your ideal location in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Find yourself amongst incredible landscapes from quiet lochs and rivers full of wildlife to the ever-powerful sea. Stay somewhere new and experience the west coast way of life.  

Glasgow

Located on the River Clyde, Glasgow is famed for its bold architecture, vibrant art scene, world-class museums, and top-tier music venues. Dance the night away at one of the many concerts in the city, make the most of the incredible food and drink scene and take your time discovering all there is to see in one of the many fantastic museums and galleries.

Enjoy Glasgow

Lanark

Discover one of Scotland's oldest royal burghs, where historic streets, independent shops and welcoming cafés sit on the doorstep of the beautiful Clyde Valley. Follow scenic riverside trails to the spectacular Falls of Clyde, wander through woodland rich in wildlife and uncover centuries of history in this charming market town. 

Visit Lanark 

Paisley

Travel to vibrant historic Paisley, just west of Glasgow. Renowned for the impressive Paisley Abbey, rich textile heritage, and thriving cultural scene, it’s an easy and rewarding day trip from anywhere in Greater Glasgow. With excellent transport links, striking architecture, independent shops, and attractions such as Paisley Museum (set to reopen in early 2027), you’ll enjoy the buzz here. 

Explore Paisley 

Glasgow

The Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve

Paisley Abbey

New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site

Step back in time at the New Lanark UNESCO World Heritage Site, where beautifully restored mill buildings sit beside the rushing waters of the River Clyde. 

Step back in time at New Lanark

Trip ideas in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Picture yourself ambling along riverside trails through ancient woodlands, sailing on sparkling lochs and uncovering hidden corners of Scotland's west coast. Here are some ideas to help you plan a day out.

Clyde Walkway guide & maps

Follow the River Clyde walkway on a 40-mile journey through country parks, riverside towns, woodland trails and the spectacular Falls of Clyde.

Take a road trip in the Clyde Valley

Take the scenic route through a landscape of rolling hills, historic towns and riverside viewpoints.

Outdoor activities in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Choose an adventure with a stunning backdrop. From trail runs and bike rides to castle visits and watersports adventures.

Plan your trip

Getting to Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley

Train

Regular rail services connect Glasgow with destinations across the region, including Balloch (Loch Lomond), Largs, Gourock, Lanark and many more. It's an easy way to explore without a car. Trains to Glasgow are available from across the UK.  

ScotRail 

Driving

Major routes including the M8, M74, A82 and A78 make it easy to explore everything from Loch Lomond and the Clyde Coast to Lanarkshire's scenic countryside. Having a car offers extra flexibility for discovering hidden beaches, viewpoints and rural attractions. 

Bus and coach

Frequent bus and coach services connect towns, villages and visitor attractions throughout Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley, as well as providing links to destinations across Scotland. 

Scottish Citylink 
Stagecoach 

Ferry

Hop aboard a ferry to explore the islands and peninsulas of the Firth of Clyde, including Great Cumbrae, Bute and the Cowal Peninsula. 

CalMac Ferries 

Flying

Glasgow Airport provides year-round domestic and international flights and is conveniently located for reaching destinations across the region. Prestwick Airport also offers additional connections to the Ayrshire coast. 

Accessibility

Many attractions, accommodation providers and transport operators offer accessible facilities and services. Check directly with individual venues before travelling for detailed accessibility information. 

Euan's Guide 

Accessibility in Glasgow 

Explore nearby

Enjoy the buzz of Glasgow, discover iconic sights in the Forth Valley or plan a relaxing coastal break.

Glasgow

Big-hearted, bold, and bursting with character, there’s an unmistakable energy to Glasgow.

Forth Valley

Welcome to the centre of Scotland. See The Kelpies, climb the National Wallace Monument and enjoy outdoor adventures with the whole family.

Ayrshire & Arran

Discover Burns Country, championship golf courses and the stunning Isle of Arran.

FAQs

When is the best time to visit Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley?

April to October is a great time to make the most of the outdoor attractions in Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley, though it’s a region worth visiting all year round.

Spring (March–May): Follow the footsteps of the Romans along the Antonine Wall and visit Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to see the landscape come back to life after winter.

Summer (June–August): Make the most of the summer weather on the coast or meet Highland cows and Clydesdale horses at the National Museum of Rural Life

Autumn (September–November): Admire the Falls of Clyde as autumn colours transform the surrounding woodlands with vibrant shades of yellow and red.

Winter (December–February): Head to Lochwinnoch to see whooper swans, goldeneye ducks and other birds overwintering in this wetland system.

How long should I stay?

Three to five days is ideal for exploring the Clyde Coast, historic towns and the Clyde Valley. A week (or longer) gives you time to add island trips or longer walking routes to your itinerary. 

Where can I stay?

Choose from luxury loch-side hotels, coastal guesthouses, countryside retreats, self-catering cottages, boutique inns and unique island accommodation. 

Accommodation in Lanarkshire 

Accommodation in Helensburgh

Paisley and Renfrewshire accommodation 

Does Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley have a visitor levy?

Yes – overnight accommodation stays in Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire are subject to a visitor levy. This is a small charge that your accommodation provider adds onto your bill. The money collected from the visitor levy goes towards improving facilities, services and infrastructure that benefit both visitors and local communities. 

From January 2027, visitors to Glasgow will be charged 5% on all stays, and in July 2027, visitors to West Dunbartonshire will be charged 5% all stays.

Find out more about the visitor levy

Do I need a car?

Not necessarily. Many destinations, including Loch Lomond, Helensburgh, Largs, Lanark and Gourock, are accessible by public transport. However, a car can make it easier to reach more remote beaches, viewpoints and countryside attractions. 

Is Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley good for families?

Yes. Families can enjoy boat trips, country parks, wildlife watching, beaches, cycling routes, castles, adventure activities and plenty of open space to explore together. 

Family friendly activities in Lanarkshire 

Family days out in Paisley and Renfrewshire 

Can I visit Loch Lomond on a day trip?

Absolutely. Balloch, Luss and other Loch Lomond destinations are easily reached, making the area ideal for a day of walking, cruising, watersports or simply enjoying the scenery. But spending a few days here allows you to truly relax and soak up the atmosphere. 

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