Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, about 75 km west of Edinburgh, and the trip is simple. ScotRail trains from Edinburgh Waverley reach Glasgow Queen Street in about 50 to 55 minutes, with departures every 15 minutes and off-peak singles from about £15. Citylink 900 coaches take about 1h15 and start from about £7, and driving along the M8 takes about an hour. Queen Street station sits beside George Square, so the city centre is immediately walkable, with the Glasgow Subway available for longer hops.

Glasgow rewards a day of museums and architecture. Glasgow Cathedral, a medieval building that survived the Reformation largely intact, stands on the east side of the centre, and the Necropolis, a Victorian hillside cemetery, rises behind it with views across the city. In the West End, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is a red sandstone landmark housing natural history, Scottish art and the famous Spitfire and Dali displays, with free entry. Further west on the Clyde, the Riverside Museum covers transport and social history and is also free, with the tall ship Glenlee moored alongside. The Victorian terraces, murals and cafes of Finnieston, Byres Road and the Merchant City provide lunch options, and the city is known for its live music venues and varied food scene.

A sensible arc is to arrive at Queen Street, walk to the cathedral and Necropolis between 09:30 and 11:00, take the subway or walk west to Kelvingrove for 11:30 to 13:30, lunch on Finnieston or Byres Road, and visit the Riverside Museum in the afternoon before returning in the early evening. Glasgow works all year because its main attractions are indoors, though May to September gives the best walking weather and long daylight. Most museums close around 17:00, so plan the outdoor Necropolis for the morning. Budget about £45 to £65 per person for train fare and lunch, since the major museums are free and a Subway ride costs about £2.