Car Rental Glasgow - Exploring Glasgow

Beyond Glasgow city centre are some delightful daytrips, but venturing further into the Highlands is truly rewarding.

Paisley is an historical town, now part of western Glasgow. It grew up around the abbey, founded in 1163. More recently it became a major producer of printed cotton and woollen cloth.

Nearby Dunbarton was the ancient capital of the Britons of Strathclyde, but time has passed it by. Worth a day-trip, it stands at the gateway to Loch Lomond and the Highlands, and is presided over by the spectacular Dumbarton Rock, site of the Dumbarton Castle.

Stirling, to the east is famous for its towering William Wallace monument, and Stirling Castle with its fine view and well preserved ramparts.

North is Fort William, in the great divide, site of Britain’s highest peak, Ben Nevis.

From here the Highlands truly begin, with moody glens, spectacular peaks, rural villages and romantic lakes, least of which is Loch Ness (complete with monster!).

The West Highland Railway from Glasgow to Fort William, and then on to Mallaig, is memorable as it passes through some of Britain's most spectacular mountain scenery and finest walking country.

Further north is the pretty fishing village of Oban, launching point to the Hebrides.