I will be houseswappng in Garelochhead, Scotland (30 miles north of Glasgow)for two weeks this April. The first week my fellow house swappers will be people who want to get out into the countryside, hike a little, see native scenery and lots of archeological sites. The second week will be people who want to see arts and crafts, do some shopping and FIND SOME REALLY GREAT PUBS. Can anyone give me suggestions for seeing two different kinds of Scotland.

Good location to get the best of both worlds. I can do lots of generalities, bit it's not an area I know well. <BR>Try http://www.easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~ab...scot/index.htm for archaeology <BR> <BR>Then www.trailwalk.com <BR>www.walkingbritain.co.uk <BR>www.umu.man.ac.uk/hiking <BR> <BR>for walking (I've not given you the mountain one) <BR> <BR>I'll do the Glasgow bit later.

Sheila, <BR> <BR>Thank you. I'll try those sites. <BR> <BR>

Sydney <BR> <BR>Sorry to be so long with follow up. I've had another look at the map, and think I once went along the road up Loch Long when I was about 10; but I no nothing about the whole chunk of land between Loch Lomondside and Loch Fyne. <BR> <BR>Loch Lomond is splendid; famed in song and story. lots of nice places to walk. I get a bunch of walking magazines and if it would help I can cull them for stuff in the vicinity and snail mail it to you. ther is good serious walking (hills and things) as well as nice low level walks. Our ost famous long distance walk, the west Coast Way goes from Milngavie up the east side of Loch Lomond eventually to Fort William. You can do little bits of it as well as big bits. <BR> <BR>I have friedns who live at Kilcreggan (I'm assuming you have a good map) If you want serious details I'll cal them and get stuff for you. <BR> <BR>You can use the Clyde ferries to to a bit of skulling around if you like..There are links from Helensburgh to Kilcrrggan to Dunnoon to Gourock. <BR> <BR>Slightly further afiled you can take the A83 over the high pass from Arrochar to the top of Loch Fyne- the romantically named Rest and be Thankful. <BR> <BR>At the top of Loch Fyne is the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, which is the very good restauarant attached to the smokery. <BR> <BR>A famous Scottish delicacy is the "Finnan Haddie" smoked Loch Fyne Haddock and this is the place to get them. They do lots of other good food too. <BR> <BR>At Creggans at Strachur is a famous Inn (Creggans Inn) which is owned by the descendants of Sir Fitzroy Maclean (I'll leave you some research to do yourselves) which is worth a visit. <BR> <BR>I'll still do the Glasgow bit later. Hope this helps. let me know if you want more.

Your first week friends should be equipped with a large-scale Ordnance Survey map of the area.(at least inch & a quarter to the mile)This shows every fair sized boulder & will enable them to plan hikes without getting stuck in front of a stream etc.,also shows all ancient sites.CARE: you cannot walk in much of the area immediately to the west, it's army land & they are VERY serious about it,armoured vehicles patrol there - you are in the middle of the biggest concentration of nuclear weapons in europe,land based missiles at glen friun, subs at faslane & coulport (the trident base),a shame as it's beautiful countryside....don't worry about this, you'll hardly know they're there if you keep out of their way. <BR>Just remember you are being watched... <BR>Booklets with walks are often available from local sources.Lack of a booklet is an advantage, as is gives an excuse to ask where you can get one - try to pick someone who doesn't get asked often & be prepared for a long & interesting conversation. <BR>Don't be embarrased to ask, people love to help & regard all tourists as a bit daft in any case. <BR>I have only passing acquaintance with the local pubs - again, ask someone. Any old red nosed gentleman will be happy to oblige. <BR>I am sure I know of an excellent old small country hotel near there, nice bar, wonderful gardens, we used to go for the scallops,at the end of a road on it's own... will post when I can remember the name! <BR>Country pubs are often very quiet except for a magical few hours every week, usually Fri/Sat after 10. <BR>Oban & Glasgow & Dunnoon are good daytrips - Oban is a large though very highland town, fishing & ferry port,Glasgow is the biggest city, plenty of good pubs & restaurants, all the museums are free & the natives are friendly & helpful,lookout for red-uniformed guides in the city centre, they are there to help you.Dunnoon is mainly pubs & hotels, big links with the US as the Polaris base was beside there (in the Holy Loch)In Glasgow,try the Scotia bar & the Clutha Vaults (folky, music in evening)or Vroni's (wine bar) or the Drum & Monkey (Renfield Street,good upmarket/commercial pub, good bistro in the back) <BR>There is a good concentration of archaeological sites near the main road <BR>a mile north of Cairnbaan, on the road to Oban by the southern route - find the footprint in the rock at Dunnad fort & stand where the ancient kings of Scotland were crowned (perform your own ceremony!) - there is a sign on the west side of the main road showing where the stone circles are etc.There are probably some sites nearer/at Garelochhead, they'll be on the OS map. <BR>Bring waterproof boots, even when the weather is good the peat is wet. <BR>Enjoy yourself, try to talk to as many people as possible.

Me again! <BR>1)When I said that the area immediately to the west was army land, I of course meant the east!Check it at multimap.com, it's marked "DANGER AREA". <BR>2)The hotel I mentioned is actually some way to the west ,over the mountains, past the Kyles of Bute (I believe you get a view of "Buttock Point"...)but it's a lovely drive. <BR>Its at Kilfinan, which is a bit North of Postavadie, which is where the ferry goes to Tarbet (!)(Loch Fyne) (probably called the Kilfinan Inn or somesuch).There is a wee glen behind the hotel which is a garden.

If you like castles, my favorite is Threave castle in SW Scotland. Drive on a small road and park in the farmers front yard. Walk on the path thru his field. Ring the bell and the boatman comes over to ferry you to the island castle.

Here are some Glasgow suggestions which were posted here recently <BR>~ The Burrell Collection <BR>~ The Cathedral <BR>~ City Chambers <BR>~ Mitchell Library <BR>~ Glasgow School of Art <BR>~ Peoples' Palace (includes Glasgow Green) <BR>~ Glasgow University (includes <BR>The Hunterian) <BR>~ The Scotia Bar on Stockwell St. <BR>If the above does not keep you occupied <BR>then go shopping on Buchanan Street. <BR>Lots of shopping- Princes Square and the Italian Centre plus Buchanan Street, Argyle Street and Sauchiehall Street. <BR> <BR>The Lighthouse to celebrate the City of Architecture year. <BR> <BR>The Willow tea room <BR> <BR>The Tenement Museum <BR> <BR>The Botanic Gardens <BR> <BR>Lots of bars and restaurants <BR> <BR>Go "doon the watter" on the Waverley. <BR> <BR>The Sunday Times (UK)made it the best city for a weekend last year. I suspect you could find it's guide on the web page <BR> <BR>There's a fortnightly lisings mag called the List which you should get for details of music, theatre art etc. <BR> <BR>Kelvingrove Park (beside Glasgow University)(take underground from city centre) <BR>Pollok House (beside Burell Collection) <BR>Museum of Modern Art(free,city centre <BR>just west of Buchanan Street) <BR>You will see red-uniformed city guides in the city centre,(esp. in Buchanan Street) They are there to help you. <BR> <BR> <BR>Since you mention Arts and Crafts especially, and since you are staying near Helensburgh, the home of Charles Rennie Macintosh you should go to Hill House at Helensburgh, which is owned by the National Trust, The other places associated with him include the Glasgow School of Art, the glasgow Herald headquarters, the Willow Tea Room, Queen's Cross Church and Scotland Street school. <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy it.

And another thing... <BR> <BR>I found anpother Mackintosh reference today. The House for an art Lover in bellhouston park was designed by Macintosh in 1901 but only built in 1996. It has permanent Mackintosh displays and is open Saturday and Sunday 10am- 5pm or you can phone 0141 353 4449 for weekday access. <BR> <BR>Hope this is some use.