We hadn't really planned on Glasgow,..hadn't really planned NOT to go either, but it turns out that Glasgow is the only non-stop choice from Phila.

I'm not really reading anything about Glasgow that makes it sound appealing from a tourist standpoint, so I'm thinking we might just get on a train to Edinburgh after we land in Glasgow. Any reason to reconsider this plan? In case it matters, we plan on renting a car and seeing rural areas of Scotland after a few days in Edinburgh.

~Liz

We flew into Glasgow and spent a few days there getting over jetlag. There are several good museums, good shopping along pedestrianized streets. And I'm a fan of Arts & Crafts architecture so we looked at all the Charles Rennie Mackintosh stuff. Then we rented a car and drove north and west.

But we'd already been to Edinburgh. For a first time visitor, Edinburgh is more interesting visually and content-wise.

Definitely worth some time:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7623346603583/

You might want to take a look at my trip report on Scotland; click on my name to find it.

I'm going there tomorrow for the weekend, mainly to meet some friends from another forum. We will be visiting Pollock House, Pollock Park and the Burrell Collection amongst other things. I'm looking forward to it.

Michael - I think the date is wrong on your photos. No way the trees were in full leaf on February 19th as they are in your photos .

hetismij,

The photographs were scanned from slides. So these are either the dates of the scanning or the uploading. My trip report is properly dated.

Ah thanks - I only looked at the photos and was very confused. Easily done

Glasgow is definitely worth some time, but I don't know if I'd plunge into it right off the plane. IMO Glasgow is sort of <i>advanced</i> Scotland if you get my meaning: busy, a little complicated to navigate, and some of the key attractions are a little spread out. As I say, just a personal view, but I'd save it for after your clocks have caught up a little.

Can I make an alternate suggestion along those lines? Pick up your car at Abbotsinch airport (GLA) and head away from the city. In well under an hour from the airport (more like 30 or 45 min.) you can be at Loch Lomond, with most of the distance on motorways hence not that challenging on the drive-on-the-left front. Find a decent B & B or hotel near the Loch (or farther up the A82 if you're up to it) and spend a day or two in the countryside catching up on sleep and adapting a little. Don't know when you're going, but remember Scotland is much farther north than most of the US, so if you're going in summer the days will be surprisingly longer, perfect for walks, day drives, dinner in a pub...

Then hit the cities when your energy level is fully restored, so you can see all the sights, walk all the miles, royal or otherwise, and shop all the shops with your heid clear.

Just a thought.

Unfortunately, Glasglow often gets short shrift,but it really is a great place to spend some time. The Burrell Collection is an eclectic treasure house and one of Great Britain's best museums. Also worth a visit are the Cathedral of St. Kentigern, the Hunterian Art Gallery, St. Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art, the Tall Ship and Pump House and the Glasgow Science Centre is fun, especially for kids.These are just a few places of note in Glasgow. There really is something for everyone.

IMO Glasgow is better that Edinburgh=but it depends on your interests. Glasgow was the cultural capital of Europe at one stage

It's not "shortbread tin" Scotland. If that's what you're looking for then it's not worth your time. If, however, you're looking for first class museums, good music, theatre, entertainment and shopping then it might be worth a visit.