7 Days of iconic sightseeing in the west of Scotland

Begin with a day discovering Glasgow's culture. Scotland's biggest city is renowned for its style, energy and huge personality, so it's a perfect place to start.

• Glasgow City Sightseeing Tour - see all the city's best bits from the top seat of a double decker bus! With multi-lingual guided tours, a great view of the city and plenty of fascinating facts, this is a fabulous way to get acquainted with a brand-new city. 
• The Burrell Collection - visit The Burrell Collection in the heart of Pollok Country Park. This recently refurbished building is home to one of the greatest art collections with thousands of objects spread across 24 galleries and spanning more than 6,000 years of history. You'll find famous artworks from Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, as well as medieval, Chinese and Islamic art. 
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum - Glasgow's trendy West End is home to Kelvingrove, a free museum packed with over 8,000 intriguing objects and artefacts. The museum houses an extraordinary collection of art, from the Dutch Old Masters and the French Impressionists, to perhaps its most famous piece, Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dali. 
• Glasgow’s West End - afterwards, take a wander along Byres Road, a pleasant, bustling street lined with a variety of independent shops. You'll find some great places to eat and drink in this part of town – be sure to try Ashton Lane for a few local favourite spots. Glasgow also has superb accommodation options, so you can rest and recharge your batteries after a busy day in the city. 

Leave the city in your rear-view mirror and drive towards the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond. Here, you can start to unwind with a spot of pampering and a big dose of fresh air. You can rent a car in Glasgow from several locations, and the drive to Loch Lomond should take about an hour and a half.

• Cameron House on Loch Lomond - indulge with a lengthy luncheon at this magnificent baronial mansion, where you'll find a selection of restaurants and brasseries. Golfers can tee off at the 18-hole championship course, and there's a tranquil spa, complete with a rooftop infinity pool. 
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is a hiker's paradise, with stunning vistas in every direction. Lace up your boots and explore the Luss Heritage Trail, a lovely short walk around a quaint loch-side village. Or why not spend another day here and challenge yourself to something a little more strenuous? The most southerly Munro Ben Lomond, Ben A'an, and The Cobbler are all rewarding climbs nearby.

Dragging yourselves away from Loch Lomond might be tricky, but there are islands, boat trips and many more adventures ahead! Upon arrival in Oban, take the Calmac ferry across to the Isle of Mull and explore this island for the day, before heading back to the harbour town for a stroll and some of Scotland's freshest, quality seafood.

• Tobermory – explore this wee port town with its distinctive row of pastel-coloured houses. There is a distillery, a local museum and several pubs here too. 
• McCaig's Tower - stretch your legs by taking the short climb from Oban town centre up to McCaig's Tower to admire the views across the bay and towards the isles. 
• Seafood in Oban - if you haven't yet experienced this region's top-quality seafood, what are you waiting for? Oban is Scotland's 'seafood capital' and is famous for its flavoursome feasts. Along the harbour, fresh catch is hauled straight from the shores and onto your dinner plate. Enjoy! 

Step into the region of Lanarkshire where the perfect day out awaits, with vibrant country parks, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, magnificent landscapes and views, and plenty of attractions to visit.

• New Lanark Visitor Centre - uncover this unique 18th century cotton spinning mill, which is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing the industrial communities and villages that once thrived across Scotland.
• The Falls of Clyde - this jaw dropping natural formation is located just next to the visitor centre and boasts magnificent waterfalls, scenic walking trails, rich plant life, and wildlife to spot. 
• Strathclyde Country Park - head up to Strathclyde Country Park to enjoy some time out in the countryside, with Strathclyde Loch, a watersports centre, M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park, adventure playgrounds and more that the whole family can enjoy. 
• Summerlee Museum - explore the exhibition hall full of working machinery, let the kids blow off steam at the adventure play park, and experience the underground mine and miners’ cottages. 

Dive a little deeper into the west coast of Scotland by exploring Ayrshire & Arran. With sandy shores, clear waters, island life, and ancient attractions, you won’t be lost for things to do here.

• Dean Castle Country Park - step inside the 14th century Dean Castle and admire the detailed and intricate collections on display, or head out and explore the 200-acre country park. Home to parkland lime trees, ornamental pines, and great oaks, follow along the trails and paths and discover the park for yourself. 
• Robert Burns Birthplace Museum - delve into the life and works of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns. Visit the cottage where Burns was born and lived in his early childhood, browse over 5,000 artefacts and displays in the museum, and explore famous locations mentioned in Burns's poems, including Brig o’Doon and Alloway Auld Kirk. 
• Culzean Castle - one of the grandest and most ethereal looking castles in Scotland, Culzean Castle is not to be missed. Perched on the Ayrshire clifftops, Culzean encompasses all the features of a true fairytale castle – a dramatic oval staircase, turrets, elegant rooms, and an estate filled with woodlands, a Swan Pond, an ice house, and formal gardens.

Head into the picturesque Dumfries & Galloway to enjoy beautiful coastlines, rocky shores, ancient castles, and plenty of opportunities for getting outdoors and having an adventure.

• Crawick Multiverse – whether you’re interested in cosmology, wellbeing, or just looking to explore somewhere new, there are plenty of paths and areas to discover at Crawick Multiverse. Admire the landforms and installations, or why not stop over and stay the night at the onsite campsite if you’re travelling in a motorhome or campervan? 
• Drumlanrig Castle - this magical pink castle is set amongst rolling green landscapes and features its own estate with glorious Victorian Gardens, a woodland adventure playground, and plenty of nearby trails to uncover. Head on a castle tour where you can dive in deeper to the history of the Douglas Family, who have been tied to the castle for over 600 years. 

When it's finally time to drive home, break up the journey to Glasgow with a couple more stops. Why not tick a few more Scottish towns and villages off your list, or how about a hop across to an island?

• West Kilbride – West Kilbride is a scenic village on the Ayrshire coast that boasts immense views across to the Isle of Arran. Take a wander to the beach through Seamill, see the nearby Portencross Castle that dates back to the 1360s, play a round or two of golf at West Kilbride Golf Club, or take a walk up Law Hill or Tarbet Hill to enjoy some great views. 
• Largs – head just 15 minutes north to the town of Largs, famed for its history with the Vikings when a fleet of longboats attempted to land in 1263 but were ultimately held off by Alexander III’s army. Across the town you can experience festivals, battle reenactments, and living history displays to commemorate this victory. 
• Great Cumbrae – did you know Cumbrae is Scotland’s most accessible island? This small but mighty island sits just off the coast from Largs and offers great opportunities for cycling as well as community events, and fun activities the kids will love. 
• Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park – before you head back into Glasgow, stop in at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park to stretch your legs. As Scotland’s largest regional park, there are plenty of routes, trails, and paths to explore on foot or by bike, with outdoor activities on Castle Semple Loch you can enjoy too.