Southern Scotland
With a commanding position in a stunning, tranquil spot above the River Nethan, this extensive ruin includes a virtually intact tower house and a caponier – a small gun emplacement. The chilly chambers under the tower house are eerie. You'll feel miles from anywhere, so bring a picnic and make a day of it.
Craignethan is 5 miles northwest of Lanark. Without a car, take an hourly Lanark–Hamilton bus to Crossford, then follow the footpath along the northern riverbank (20 minutes).
17.81 MILES
Glasgow Cathedral has a rare timelessness. The dark, imposing interior conjures up medieval might and can send a shiver down the spine. It's a shining…
29.66 MILES
Hold Stirling and you control Scotland. This maxim has ensured that a fortress of some kind has existed here since prehistoric times. You cannot help…
20.1 MILES
This visually impressive modern museum at Glasgow Harbour owes its striking curved forms to late British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid. A transport museum…
19.9 MILES
Attached to the Hunterian Art Gallery, this is a reconstruction of the first home that Charles Rennie Mackintosh bought with his wife, noted designer…
Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum
19.75 MILES
A magnificent sandstone building, this grand Victorian cathedral of culture is a fascinating and unusual museum, with a bewildering variety of exhibits…
23.21 MILES
Paisley Abbey is well worth the short trip from Glasgow. This majestic Gothic building was founded in 1163 by Walter Fitzalan, first high steward of…
21.11 MILES
Completed in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel is a modern engineering marvel, a rotating boat lift that raises vessels 115ft from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the…
19.44 MILES
This brilliant science museum will keep the kids entertained for hours (that's middle-aged kids, too!). It brings science and technology alive through…
4.72 MILES
The main attractions of this World Heritage mill town are accessed via a single ticket. These include a huge working spinning mule, producing woollen yarn…
2. Falls of Clyde Wildlife Centre
4.79 MILES
The often-unstaffed wildlife centre is by the river in New Lanark and has a small child-friendly display focused on badgers, bats, peregrine falcons and…
10.61 MILES
This museum tells the story of David Livingstone's life from his early days in Blantyre to the 30 years he spent in Africa, where he named the Victoria…
11.29 MILES
It’s a 30-minute walk from Blantyre along the river to Bothwell Castle, regarded as the finest 13th-century castle in Scotland. The stark, roofless, red…
5. Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum
15.15 MILES
This museum is an enthusiastic community project that is well worth a visit. The pièce de résistance is Gladstone Court, a reconstructed street with…
15.37 MILES
A well-loved local institution that runs matinée shows every couple of days throughout the summer using miniature Victorian puppets and bizarre glow-in…
16.53 MILES
An interesting building designed by Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, Holmwood House dates from 1857. Despite ongoing renovations, it's well worth a visit. Look…
16.83 MILES
At Hampden Park, the national stadium, this museum covers the history of the game in Scotland and the considerable influence of Scots on the world game…