Glasgow - Surroundings

Summerlee Heritage Park in West Canal Street, Coatbridge (pop. 49,000) looks at the region's industrial history. Exhibits include Victorian steam engines, an exhibition on coal mining ca. 1840 and Scotland's only working electric tram.

Castlehill is four acres of land that is currently let to the West Dunbartonshire Council.

The Forth and Clyde Canal (1790) winds its way through the Strathkelvin District to the north of Glasgow. The pleasure boat "Ferry Queen" plies up and down the canal during the summer.

The Island Hopscotch ticket, which is valid for three months from the date of the first journey, entitles you to economy fares for cars and accompanying passengers on 24 different Caledonian MacBrayne routes.

Glasgow Zoo lies in some 60acres/25ha of Calder Park (6mi/9.6km southeast of the city center; entrance in Hamilton Road). Lions, leopards, reptiles, elephants, polar bears, monkeys and camels are the main attractions but young children will find plenty to entertain them.

ATTRACTION IS CLOSED.

By the coast at Gourock (pop. 11,700; 34mi/55km west of Glasgow) stands a 6ft/2m high slate monolith that was probably a meeting place for druids. Later, fishermen came here and made small offerings in return for fine weather and good catches. It is still the custom for newlyweds to circle the stone after the wedding ceremony in the hope that Granny Kempock will bring good luck to their marriage.

Greenock (pop. 50,000) was the birthplace of the engineer James Watt, the man who made the Clyde navigable. The town was famous for its shipyards but most of them have now closed and the name Greenock has become synonymous with computers. The body of "Highland Mary", immortalized by Robert Burns, is buried in the town's central cemetery.

The Barony Chambers of Kirkintilloch is a museum which documents the social and economic development of the region.

The Auld Kirk and its graveyard form one of the finest and oldest sites in the town of Kirkintilloch.

Once the home of Glasgow shipping baron, Sir James Lithgow, Gleddoch Estate has an 18-hole, par 72 golf course and driving range, as well as club hire and a golf professional who is on site to give lessons.

Other facilities include an equestrian center.

In the industrial area of Port Glasgow (pop. 19,000; 25mi/40km west of the city center) stands a well-maintained 16th century mansion with gatehouse and tower house, once the seat of the Maxwell family. The oldest sections of the building date from the 15th century. A small museum traces the development of Glasgow's harbor.

At the Shotts Heritage Centre visitors can experience the sights and sounds of Shotts history from the 17th century. Covenanters to the heyday of the iron and coal industry.

A "fun" swimming pool and an ice-skating rink are just some of the facilities available at the Timecapsule Leisure Centre in Buchanan Street.