7 Days of iconic sightseeing in the west of Scotland

Begin with a day delving in to Glasgow’s lively cultural scene. Scotland's biggest city is renowned for its style, energy and famous self-effacing humour, 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 your bearings in this vibrant city.
• The Burrell Collection - set at the heart of the leafy Pollok Country Park, the Burrell Collections invites you on an art history journey spanning more than 6,000 years. Inside its beautifully refurbished interior, view treasures sourced from around the world, from exquisite artworks by Rodin, Degas and Cézanne, to incredible medieval, Chinese and Islamic pieces.
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum - step inside Kelvingrove and uncover a treasure trove of more than 8,000 intriguing objects and artefacts, all free to enjoy. Wander through extraordinary galleries filled with masterpieces by the Dutch Old Masters and the French Impressionists and come face to face with one of its most famous acquisitions, Christ of St John of the Cross by Salvador Dalí. 
• Glasgow’s West End - take a wander along Byres Road where independent boutiques, record shops, cafés and more line this bustling street. You’ll also find great places to eat and drink in Ashton Lane, a little cobbled hideaway in the city’s trendy West End, home to pubs and restaurants, with fairy lights draped overhead. When you’re ready to call it a day, head back to one of the city’s superb accommodation options and recharge your batteries.

Rent a car in Glasgow for the drive to the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond, which should take around 90 minutes.

• Cameron House on Loch Lomond – treat yourself to a decadent lunch at this magnificent baronial mansion, where you'll find a selection of restaurants and brasseries. Test your swing on the 18-hole championship course or take a welcome pause in the hydro and thermal spa, replete with a rooftop infinity pool, a traditional hammam steam bath, and aromatherapy room.
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park - this 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 Munros Ben Lomond, Ben A'an, and The Cobbler are all waiting to be climbed.

Moving on from Loch Lomond might be tricky, but there are islands, boat trips and many more adventures ahead! When you arrive in Oban, take the CalMac ferry across to the Isle of Mull and explore this enchanting island for the day, before returning to the harbour town to tuck into Scotland's freshest, most delicious seafood.

• Tobermory – explore this wee port town with its distinctive row of pastel-coloured houses made famous by the wildly successful children’s TV programme, Balamory. Drop by the distillery, Mull Museum and enjoy a drink in one of several pubs.
• 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 tried this region's top-quality seafood, what are you waiting for? Oban is Scotland's 'seafood capital' and is famous for its superb langoustines, scallops and mussels. Along the harbour, watch as the fresh catch is hauled straight from the shores, later transformed into mouthwatering dishes you can look forward to feasting on later that day. Enjoy!

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

• New Lanark Visitor Centre – step back in time at this fascinatingly well-preserved 18th century cotton mill village, which is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage site.  Learn what life was like for the workers and their families, and the pioneering social reforms – many of which we enjoy today – were first implemented here.  
• The Falls of Clyde - this jaw-dropping natural formation is located just next to the visitor centre. Watch as waterfalls tumble over rocky ledges into the steep wooded gorge. The most dramatic is the Corra Linn where water cascades from a height of 26 metres.
• Strathclyde Country Park - head up to Strathclyde Country Park to enjoy some time out in the countryside. Enjoy a spot of canoeing, kayaking or rowing on Strathclyde Loch, or enjoy the classic amusement parks rides and games at M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park.
• Summerlee Museum – venture below ground to discover the world of coal mining, view working machinery in the exhibition hall, and glimpse what life was like for miners and their families in carefully restored cottages.

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

• Dean Castle Country Park – feel as though you’ve been transported back to the Middle Ages at the 14th century Dean Castle. Inside, weapons and armour spanning the Viking age to the Renaissance, antique musical instruments and exceptional Flemish tapestries which still adorn the walls bring centuries of history to life. Outdoors, explore the 200-acre country park on winding woodland paths beneath the canopies of great oaks, ornamental pines and lime trees.
• Robert Burns Birthplace Museum – follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, visiting the places which shaped his life and poetry. Start with the modest, thatched cottage where Burns was born and spent his early childhood, browsing over 5,000 artefacts connected with his story. You can also explore locations, including the Brig o’ Doon and spooky Alloway Auld Kirk, which feature in his spine-tingling poem, Tam o’ Shanter.
• 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, an ice house, exquisite formal gardens, and even a swan pond.

Head into the picturesque Dumfries & Galloway, a region fringed by rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, where ancient castles stand amid rolling hills alongside forest parks and a UNESCO Biosphere.

• Crawick Multiverse – whether you’re interested in cosmology, wellbeing, or just looking to explore somewhere new, there are plenty of paths and thought-provoking spaces 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 among 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 into the history of the Douglas family and their 600-year-old tie to the castle.

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 – from this scenic village on the Ayrshire coast, soak up splendid views across to the Isle of Arran and take a stroll across the sandy shore near Seamill, pausing by the nearby Portencross Castle, which has stood here since the 1360s. Walk to the top of Law Hill or Tarbet Hill for bird’s eye views or play a round or two of golf at West Kilbride Golf Club.
• Largs – head just 15 minutes north to the town of Largs, famed for its rich Viking lore. It’s here that a fleet of Norse longboats attempted to land in 1263 but were ultimately held off by Alexander III’s army. Today, the town marks this pivotal episode with an annual summer Viking Festival, featuring 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 is compact enough that you can cycle around it in just a couple hours. Pause by secluded bays, wander the Victorian promenade at Millport with an ice cream, and step inside Britain’s smallest cathedral.  
• Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park – before you head back into Glasgow, take a breather at Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. As Scotland’s largest regional park, there are plenty of routes, trails, and paths you can stretch your legs on or explore on two wheels. Alternately, glide across the serene surface of Castle Semple Loch during a kayaking or paddleboarding session with the Clyde Muirshiel Outdoor Activity Team, or take a refreshing wild swim dip.