Two cities intertwined in Scottish history are bursting with energy and friendly faces ready for a summer of fun.
Just a half hour drive separates Glasgow and Stirling with both boasting happy vibes and special places to visit.
Walking tours are a fabulous way to look upwards and see unmissable gems. One of the best in Glasgow is a stroll around the riverside district of Govan, famous for its laid back feel and happy locals.
It’s also steeped in history and Henry Bell of Radical Glasgow Tours is an enthusiastic guide keen to show you its beauties. Famous for its Fairfield power house and where transatlantic liners and battleships were once made, today it is under the ownership of BAE systems who make navy frigates.
In 1971, it was the scene of industrial action to save the yard led by worker Jimmy Reid who led a work-in by locking out management to prove the orders could be finished. The campaign won support from around the world and included celebrities, Billy Connolly and John Lennon.
Today, the Fairfield Heritage Museum is community led and dedicated to spreading the ship building story and close by Govan Old Parish Church is home to the Govan Stones, a collection of precious medieval carvings.
There are statues paying homage to Mary Barbour, a local activist who led the 1915 rent strikes and shipbuilding pioneer John Elder and his philanthropist wife Isabella. Murals dedicated to Mary and Isabella are also proudly displayed, along with a daffodil painting in honour of horticulturalist Peter Barr and a vibrant community led mural featuring scenes which makes the area so special.
Image of Stirling Castle by Walkerssk from Pixabay
It’s a three mile walk over the Govan footbridge, built in 2024, into the vibrant city centre which is gearing up for summer sizzlers including the Commonwealth Games in late July.
The 10 sport programme including the largest ever para sports medal events is dotted around the city, which is also Scotland’s musical capital recognised by UNESCO.
It’s music all the way with festivals including Counterflows in April which champions boundary-pushing experimental sounds and underground talent, to Summer Nights, featuring stars such as Billy Ocean and Del Amitri at Kelvingrove and Queen’s Park bandstands in June.
A great base is the AC Hotel by Marriott, perched on the edge of George Square. Blending historic Victorian architecture with an elegant modern interior, the hotel has a stunningly spacious bar and dining area. Guests can enjoy tasty breakfasts and lovely appointed rooms, with front facing ones taking in a great view of the roof top historic gems on Glasgow Town Hall, which sits opposite.
Glasgow has a fabulous food scene and two of the best restaurants are Scottish beauty Mharsanta in the heart of Merchant City and nearby Sebbs.
At Mharsanta, starters as inventive as haggis scotch egg and Stornoway black pudding croquettes or veggie favourites of kale pesto stuffed mushrooms and red pepper and goats cheese croquettes are served up, along with mains starring Perthshire venison stew and chicken Balmoral for the meat eaters and vegetarian haggis, neeps and tatties and goats cheese, avocado and red pepper salad. Desserts include homemade honey cheesecake and traditional cranachan.
Special experiences like haggis tasting and Scottish sharing platters along with walking or bus tours which finish with a meal at the Mharsanta are brilliant choices for people wanting to see Glasgow at its best and there’s private dining and takeaways for different options.
Haggis Scotch Eggs – Photo courtesy of Mharsanta
If snazzy cocktails and wee tapas are the order of the day, then Sebbs underground bar and restaurant is the place to be. From chai tai mixed with banana, sour pineapple and orgeat to a chilli colada mocktail and scrumptious dishes such as cured chalkstream trout pastrami, crème fraîche and urfa pepper, grilled cauliflower, salsa macha and walnut crema, rolled lahmacun and charred celeriac, tahini butter, caper and raisin dressing, it’s a fun place to dine.
Regular Scot Rail trains head out from Glasgow’s Queen Street to Stirling via some spectacular views. The medieval royal capital and strategic gateway to The Highlands is home to the former residence of the Stuart kings in the 15th century, with the castle sitting on a volcanic crag.
Nearby is The Wallace Monument, where William Wallace led his troops to victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
Like Glasgow, Stirling is ideal for pottering about. Walking Tours in Stirling are 90 minutes with an expert pointing out the many historic features of the Scottish city, from the old town to the secrets of the 300 year old gravestones.
The meeting point is outside the Old Town Jail, which is well worth a visit. Dating back to 1888, the prison also served until 1935 as Scotland’s only military detention barracks. Here actors will give a “live” tour and guide you through the horrors of this grisly place with a chance to visit the stone cells and enjoy views across Stirling from the rooftop.
Vera’s Artisan Bakery in the heart of the city’s historic cobbled thoroughfare is a great wee place for lunch with people watching while tucking into a selection of specialist sandwiches and snacks.
Close by is the Stirling Smith Gallery where arts and objects meet and with temporary and permanent exhibitions featuring Scotland’s best.
Together these two fascinating and fun Scottish cities are flying the flag for Scotland. For tourist information on the two cities, please visit: www.visitglasgow.com, www.yourstirling.com and www.visitscotland.com.
Author Bio:
Rebecca Hay is an experienced travel writer and member of The British Guild of Travel Writers. Follow her adventures with her family on Twitter and Instagram @emojiadventurer and on Facebook via EmojiAdventurers2.
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