Band trip to Scotland - Suggestions for a day trip from Glasgow

**Rama4390** · 26th May 25, 04:20 AM

Dear Rabble,

In August I will be travelling to Glasgow from Australia to attend the Piping Live festival with my pipe band. We will have a couple of free days during our trip, so I'm looking for suggestions please for a day trip from Glasgow to make the most of my time in Scotland. I'm travelling with the band, but am on my own this trip with respect to family. Our accommodation is all in Glasgow, so I'm looking for options for day trips based from there. I'm open to hiring a car or a train trip, but am looking for something that will take me out of the city.

I'm in my mid 40s and have only been to Scotland once before, when I spent two days on a coach tour with my family last year as part of a larger UK & Ireland tour.

Sites that are already included in our band tour this year include Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, The Kelpies, Falkirk Wheel, Edinburgh including the Tattoo, World Pipe band championships and Crieff Highland gathering.

I'd really appreciate suggestions from locals or those that have a lot more experience in Scotland than I do.

Cheers,
Luke.

**figheadair** · 27th May 25, 12:43 AM

It depends on what you want to do: castles/houses, walking etc. If hiring a car, then 2-3 hours would get you into some spectacular countryside such as Glencoe or the Pitlochy/Blair Atholl areas. Or take the train to the likes of Oban or Fort William.

**Jock Scot** · 27th May 25, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

It depends on what you want to do: castles/houses, walking etc. If hiring a car, then 2-3 hours would get you into some spectacular countryside such as Glencoe or the Pitlochy/Blair Atholl areas. Or take the train to the likes of Oban or Fort William.

I second these suggestions of the train trips.

**Rama4390** · 27th May 25, 04:08 AM

Thank you both. I'll look at options for a train trip.

**DCampbell16B** · 27th May 25, 04:15 AM

Apparently Rest and Be Thankful is closed. So although Kintyre, Inverary and Dunadd are usually a day trip from Glasgow, that is not likely this summer at least.

Arran could be a possibility. Not speaking from experience, but it has a variety of landscape is a small area. Would require a ferry ride, which is an experience of its own.

**Jock Scot** · 27th May 25, 05:57 AM

Arran is not my locality, but, according to local news there have been problems with the ferries to/from Arran. It may be best to check the sailing times.

**jsrnephdoc** · 21st June 25, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rama4390

I'd really appreciate suggestions from locals or those that have a lot more experience in Scotland than I do.

Cheers,
Luke.

Well, I don't have a LOT more experience than you, but Lochcarron Mills in Selkirk is not far from Glasgow, and they have a quite interesting tour as well as an active retail shop for their tartans.

**Jock Scot** · 24th June 25, 03:11 AM

Originally Posted by jsrnephdoc

Well, I don't have a LOT more experience than you, but Lochcarron Mills in Selkirk is not far from Glasgow, and they have a quite interesting tour as well as an active retail shop for their tartans.

Purely out of interest, are these tours, mentioned above, available at week ends?

**Tomo** · 24th June 25, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Purely out of interest, are these tours, mentioned above, available at week ends?

Unless they have changed their policy - they are close at the weekend - tours only during business hours.

About 2 years, when I was heading to Edinburgh to collect my tour group, I decided to take the scenic route though Hawick, Selkirk and Galashields to scope out some options for a private tour I was putting together - on a personal level I had also thought to visit Lochcarron and Lovat Mill - but on checking beforehand both are closed at the weekend and the only day I could go was a Saturday - still a nice drive and to other options worked out well...

**Jock Scot** · 24th June 25, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Tomo

Unless they have changed their policy - they are close at the weekend - tours only during business hours.

About 2 years, when I was heading to Edinburgh to collect my tour group, I decided to take the scenic route though Hawick, Selkirk and Galashields to scope out some options for a private tour I was putting together - on a personal level I had also thought to visit Lochcarron and Lovat Mill - but on checking beforehand both are closed at the weekend and the only day I could go was a Saturday - still a nice drive and to other options worked out well...

Thank you.