In this post, The Vibes Scotland team won’t be naming what we think is the best attractions and things to see in Glasgow, because there is so much to choose from, although, we will be simply giving some suggestions from on what we consider to be the top things to check out whilst in the historic yet modern city of Glasgow.

Glasgow is a vegan hotspot

Perhaps one of the things which outsiders don’t know much about Glasgow is the fact that is has many options of vegetarian and vegan cuisine, this is something which wasn’t always the case, but around 5 years ago the city has seen food entrepreneurs become more conscious about their menus. Establishments such as the Hug n Pint, Mono, The Flying Duck, the 78, Stereo and the Cran are some of the favourites to name a few. Even if you are a meat eater, it’s always good to know that the option is there if you are travelling with a vegetarian.

The Museums

We list many museums separately due to the great standard which each hold, although we have decided to build a concise listing of all the museums we think are a must see during your stay in Glasgow.
• Kelvingrove Art Gallery
• The Riverside Museum
• The Mackintosh House
• Gallery of Modern Art
• Peoples Palace
• The Lighthouse

Shopping

Glasgow has it all when it comes to shopping. If you love shopping on the highstreet, visiting all the major hitters such as Topshop, Urban Outfitters, Hollister and Pandore you’ll love Buchanan street. If you happen to be interested in more boutique and unique shopping, the West End of the city offers vintage clothing and antique options. If you happen to collect records, Glasgow has you covered, with multiple independent music stores such as Monorail Music, Love Music, Missing, Mixed Up Records and LP Records, you are bound to find at least one of the records you have been searching for. Why not check out the infamous West end of Glasgow where you’ll be greeted with a host of bars and restaurants catering to a slightly more upmarket clientele. Explore Kelvin grove Park, explore the Botanic Gardens or even pop in for a tattoo at the famous Tribe Tattoo.

Merchant City

One of the most popular destinations in Glasgow for people on business trips to stay is in Glasgow’s famous Merchant City, which is located in the heart of the city centre. What makes Merchant City great? It has all the best bars, restaurants, shops, and business hotels in the city. Sprinkle on top of that the Modern Art Museum, Casinos, and a yearly festival, it’s easy to understand it’s so popular with business people looking to relax and unwind after a day of work. If you happen to be staying the area, we would highly recommend Fraser Suites accommodation for your business hotel in Glasgow, as it’s close to all the attractions and the train station, so you won’t have to phone a taxi.

Do you have any other suggestions on things to do in Glasgow? Let us know in the comments below!

Step 1
Get rid of damaged canes and limbs

Step 2
Trim away any limbs that are not growing away from the center of the plant. This is particularly crucial as limbs that grow inward cut down on air circulation and increase the probability of a bug infestation.

Step 3
Look at your plant. Is it interesting? Is it symmetrical? If not, then trim appropriately so that it not only fits in the allotted space but looks neatly pruned. Climbing roses require being trimmed slightly different from other roses. They are a huge plant that takes a great deal of patience to grow. It is for this reason that climbing roses are not pruned as aggressively as most rose shrubs.

Trimming roses entail getting rid of rotten canes or limbs. This includes climbing roses. Do not over prune young climbing roses. This is to be observed for the first few years. Annual pruning of roses is recommended to ensure healthy growth and beautiful blooms. Most roses should be pruned in spring.

Take note that it is important not to prune young climbing roses too often. The first few years of these climbing roses, less pruning should be observed. Annual pruning of roses is recommended to ensure healthy growth and beautiful blooms. Most roses are pruned during the spring however for rambling roses, they should not be pruned until they are finished flowering. There may be slight variations in the demands of the various roses there are, but the basic methods remain the same.

Looking for some gardening inspiration this Spring? This year’s Chelsea Garden Show takes place in May giving all the inspiration you need to get your gardens looking beautiful. This year’s Pearlfisher Garden is inspired by the largest garden in the world – the underwater garden of our great oceans.

Fantastic Après Ski

This wonderful tradition originated in the Alps when skiers and snowboarders would often stop at a bar on their last run of the day in full ski gear before making their way down to the resort. This tradition has stuck around and now dedicated après ski bars have popped up in nearly all resorts. It’s become a proper party scene with live bands, DJs and all sorts of other entertainment being arranged for the enjoyment of all skiers and snowboarders, who often can be found dancing on the tables – it’s either your scene or it isn’t.

One of the most famous après ski institutions in the French Alps is La Folie Douce. Operating since the 80s, they have since spread out their wings to five different locations: Val d’Isere-Tignes, Val Thorens, Meribel-Courchevel, St Gervais-Megeve and Alpe d’Huez. They combine good food, great music with excellent entertainment. Make sure to visit one of these five ski resorts if you want to experience La Folie Douce’s amazing atmosphere first-hand.

Accommodation for All Groups

Whether you are travelling with your family and young kids, or you’re away with a group of friends, you will be spoiled for choice as far as accommodation goes. Resorts cater to all types of groups. There are self-catered options, B&Bs, budget hotels with a continental breakfast or more luxurious hotels with half-board or full-board options. It all comes down to your budget and preference. Some hotels offer a comprehensive ski holiday package, including two cooked meals and even nanny services! Occasionally, if you’re not too fussy about the exact resort and exact dates, you can score some great last minute deals with discounted hotel prices and travel with operators like Mark Warner or Alpine Elements. It’s better to fill rooms than to have them lying empty all week long!

Exceptional Views

Wherever you go in the Alps, you will be met with stunning views. Some ski resorts are known for their spectacular views though, such as the Zermatt resort. Located on the most photographed mountain, it offers unparalleled views atop the Matterhorn glacier. It’s no wonder that Zermatt is a popular destination with skiers and snowboarders. Val d’Isère is another ski resort that is known for its gorgeous views down into the valley. Not only will you enjoy some fantastic runs, being surrounded by those mountains make it that more special.

1. Be patient

You might be used to roaring through a trail at a fast pace without anyone complaining about being sore, hungry or a little bored, but that changes when kids come along for the ride. With changes to how you normally enjoy hiking, you’re going to have to be patient by doing things a different way. If your kids can see your agitated, they’re not going to have a good time.

2. Adapting the route

With a pair of little legs joining you this time, the route should be adapted appropriately to how a child could deal with it. While it’s best to stay with a shorter, less hilly route without difficult terrain, it’s also exciting for them to have some parts of the journey that are a little trickier, to give them a sense of adventure and achievement once they have finished.

3. Responsibility

If your child is a bit older then it’s a good idea to teach them some responsibility while they’re having fun. Get them to bring their own backpack and gradually add more items they take for themselves with each hike. When they gain some more experience, let them join in with the decision making, from which route to select to begin with to what path to choose once you’re there.

4. Loving nature

If you want to make hiking something you and your kids can enjoy together then you’ll want to know they’ll enjoy their first hike. The best way to guarantee this is to introduce them to as much nature and outdoor activities as possible before they start. Take them kayaking, rock climbing, skiing if possible to let them learn to love the outdoors doing something more stimulating for a young mind that walking upwards.

5. Bring friends

If you know other parents who enjoy hiking, then get them involved! Other kids being there will be more fun for your little ones and make the ascent faster than it would be with just you and them. It will make the hike more enjoyable for them and they’ll make some great friends while they do it.

1. Cardiovascular

You don’t have to be Mo Farah to do some hill walking, but nevertheless it’s a physical activity which requires you to keep moving for hours at a time. This constant movement improves lung capacity and is a good opportunity to practice proper breathing techniques.

2. Prevent heart disease

This prevention is two-fold; circulation is improved as walking in all forms is an aerobic sport; and blood pressure is reduced, leading to healthier hearts with less risk of disease.

3. Losing weight

Naturally, as we’re doing a lot of moving as we hike, calories are burnt at a surprisingly quick rate. Factor in that many routes are very long and extremely steep with lots of points which can work up a sweat and the pounds can just drop off you.

4. Breathing

Since hiking thrusts us into the middle of a natural environment without the cars and pollution of the big cities, the air we breathe is of a much better quality than what we’re used to. Hiking regularly can give us a chance to get some clean air in our lungs, help us breathe better and reduce the possibility of contracting a respiratory disease.

5. Reduce back pain

You might not like to hear this, but the cure to back pain is not lying in your bed all day! Hiking strengthens your back, reducing the likelihood of getting pain in the first place but also releasing tensions that currently are plaguing your back.

6. Socialising

It’s not just your body that hiking can improve. There are psychological benefits to this activity, not least of all is the social aspect. It can give you and your friends a great reason to meet up or if you have to go it alone, there’s always some friendly fellow walkers on the way that are more than willing to have a little chat.

7. Strengthens our mind

Walking can strengthen certain parts of our brain, such as our memory, reactions and ability to relax and focus.

8. Happiness

Walking, like all exercise, releases endorphins in our brain that happens to give us pleasure, improve our mood and help us get a good night’s sleep.

1. Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria

Though partly in Greece, most of this vast mountain range is located in Bulgaria and is a truly enriching experience for all hikers. There’s plenty of routes for beginners and families and also paths for the more experienced walkers. For animal lovers, you’ll find hundreds of species living here and those after some tranquillity will be pleased to hear that this is relatively quiet area in terms of tourists.

2. The Highlands, Scotland

If there’s a part of Europe more renowned for its natural beauty than any other, it might just be the Scottish Highlands. Here you’ll find the tallest mountain on the British Isles, Ben Nevis, hundreds of islands to explore such as the Isle of Skye and one of the world’s best known walking routes, the West Highland Way. Start off from just outside Glasgow and journey gradually northwards until the end at Fort William, with the gorgeous mountain range of Glencoe not too far away.

3. Jotunheimen, Norway

This extraordinary mountain range is home to lakes, glaciers and some of Scandinavia’s most scenic routes. Another area perfect for hikers of all abilities, Jotunheimen contains even paths for beginners, longer routes for intermediate hikers and some particularly challenging ascents for the veteran mountaineer.

4. Crete, Greece

The Cretan way of life has traditionally been considered one of the healthiest in the world, down to their healthy diet of fruit, vegetables and lots of olive oil when cooking, but also the daily traversing of the rocky mountain terrain. Hiking one of the island’s many gorges is a must, including the longest in Europe, and can be done in the most incredible of weather conditions.

5. Skocjan Caves, Slovenia

Definitely the most unique route on this list, the Skocjan Caves in the region of Karst welcomes travellers to explore a 5km underground path of caves. Here you’ll be guided through the passages that can be done by just about any level of hiker, although those with claustrophobia may have to give this one a miss.

1. Equipment

First things first, if you’re going on a long hike through some rugged terrain with unpredictable weather, then your Gazelle trainers and Vans hoodie aren’t going to cut it. To save yourself being soaked from head to toe, get yourself a waterproof jacket and some solid walking boots that will also give your ankles support. Try a Millets Discount Code for a great value choice of outdoor equipment.

2. Walking time

When you’re just starting out, camping should be the furthest thing from your mind. Build up your experience with hike of around 2-4 hours so you can get a feel for the terrain, how tired you become and how fast you can go. Be careful with the time you set off and when you come back, as hiking after dark is not recommended even for the most experienced hikers.

3. Go with someone

Whether that’s a friend or as part of a walking group, when you first start out it’s best to be accompanied by someone who has done some hiking already or even just someone to be there in case of an emergency. Going with someone will also give you motivation to keep up with your new hobby and getting up early to try out new routes.

4. Start from the bottom

It can be tempting to dive right in and start tackling the big, challenging walks, but starting with the easiest ones will give you a great taste for hiking and not put you off with its difficulty.

5. Check the weather

Of course, for hiking you should always be prepared no matter the weather, but checking the forecast a few days ahead or the night before your scheduled trip can save you a lot of pain the next day. It might be too wet and windy to be clambering up a hillside or so hot you’ll need your sunscreen and sunglasses. Either way, it’s good to be prepared.

6. Take the road most travelled

The best hiking routes have already been laid out in pretty much any place you would want to hike, so stick to a route that has a path in place. If you wander off and try to create your own path then it’s more than likely that you’ll end up lost. Most paths can be checked online so you’ll know exactly to where to go, how long it takes and where the best spots for a picture happen to be.

As long as you follow the tips in this article, then your time as a rookie hiker won’t last long and you’ll be an intermediate before you know it. The most important thing is to have fun and stay safe, so always be prepared and just appreciate the feeling of discovering the outdoors.

1. Isle of Skye

Over the sea to Skye you’ll discover an unbelievably compact treasure trove of natural delights. One of these natural delights is the Old Man of Storr, the most recognised rock formation in the country. This sight and many more on the island have been the backdrop for a number of Hollywood flicks like Highlander, Prometheus and Macbeth, which goes to show even the best filmmakers know the beauty of this island.

2. Isle of Arran

Arran is perfectly situated if you want to get the best of both worlds during your trip to Scotland, as it’s only an hour and a half from Glasgow by train and ferry. Simply get the train from Glasgow Central to Ardrossan Harbour, jump the ferry to Brodick and you’ll find yourself on Arran ready to get exploring. The island is fairly small, so it’s no problem to just spend the day and head back to Glasgow without the need to get extra accommodation.

3. Orkney Islands

Visiting Orkney can seem like you’ve journeyed way back in time to an era where civilisation was just beginning. Not even half of the 70 islands are inhabited and there’s several Neolithic sites to be discovered, such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar stone circles and other famous rock formations.

4. Isle of Lewis & Harris

The largest island in Scotland is the perfect place for nature lovers. Great stretches of green grass and hills make for some amazing views and you may be surprised to hear that Scotland’s best beaches (yes, beaches) are located on Lewis & Harris. If it’s too cold for the beach then get some local Harris Tweed wool to wrap yourself up in.