The Cowal Highland Gathering, one of most spectacular Highland Games, was first held in 1894. Spilling over onto three days at Dunoon Stadium, the event attracts around 3000 competitors for such unique events as putting the 32lb Cowal Stone.
Available :
Aug 2013 (annual)
Escape the city to enjoy fresh air at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. The 350km boundary encloses beautiful Scottish countryside - lochs, rivers, forests and dramatic hills - criss-crossed by footpaths, bridle paths and cycle tracks.
Available :
Daily
Beautiful Loch Lomond is the perfect stage for the world-class golfers who compete at the Scottish Open. Regarded as good preparation for the British Open, it attracts leading players on the European Tour and a host of US stars.
Available :
Jul 2011 (annual)
Held on the banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch Castle Country Park - one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland - the Balloch Loch Lomond Highland Games offer a slice of Highland life.
Available :
Jul 2010 (annual)
Paisley was a boom town during the 19th century, when scarves, shawls and ties with Paisley patterns were woven by workers who lived in cottages just like Sma' Shot.
Available :
Apr - Sep 2013; Wed and Sat only (annual)
With its beautiful location at the head of Loch Fyne, the Inveraray Highland Games in the grounds of Inveraray Castle are particularly noted as the "friendly games". They are opened by the Duke of Argyll.
Available :
Jul 2013 (annual)
Inveraray Castle is the home of the Clan Campbell Chief MacCailien Mor. The land it sits on was a gift to the Campbells in the 11th century and they have been Dukes of Argyll since 1701.
Available :
Apr - Oct 2013 (annual)
Glasgow's Coloursfest has gained a loyal following and the event now fills the Braehead International Arena. Fifty DJs spinning tunes in six different arenas keep a crowd of 10,000 dancing until the wee small hours.
Available :
Jun 2013 (annual)
Braehead Shopping Centre is part of the largest privately funded waterside regeneration project in Scotland. It features a vast IKEA shopping complex as well as a shopping centre with all the high street favourites, plus restaurants and an entertainment complex.
Available :
Daily
Every colour and scent imaginable is available at The Candle Store in the South Side of Glasgow. From the company which supplied all the candles for Madonna's Scottish wedding, choose from travel-size tins to votives and chunky table settings. Look out for the bargain corner.
Available :
Daily; not Sun
First launched in 1947, The Waverley sails from Glasgow Science Centre down the Clyde coast. One of the world's last sea-going paddle steamers, she continues to take passengers at a stately pace as far as the Isle of Arran.
Available :
Jun - Aug 2013 (annual)
Built in Bellahouston Park in the South Side, House for an Art Lover is a modern re-creation of a competition entry from 1901 by Glasgow architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Take the tour to see the Oval Room, with its matching oval windows and lights.
Available :
Daily
Two Fat Ladies (named after the bingo call for 88) squeezes between Byres Road and the Western Infirmary in the West End of Glasgow. The driftwood frontage, with ironwork fish scales announces that this is a seafood restaurant, although there are some meat dishes on offer. Well-heeled diners sample Ullapool smoked salmon and diver-caught scallops.
Available :
Daily
For unique buys, vintage clothing store Starry Starry Night can be found in Glasgow's West End. Beaded gowns and 1920s dresses hang on the rails beside dinner suits and glamorous feather boas.
Available :
Daily
This Belgian bar is set in a former stable block down the cobbled mews of Ashton Lane in the West End. Named after singer Jacques Brel, it serves beers and mussels to a cool crowd, with live music in the conservatory.
Available :
Daily
This is the place to go for high-end dining in Glasgow's West End. The Ubiquitous Chip was at the forefront of serving locally sourced ingredients in the 1970s. Aberdeen Angus beef fillet, Haggis and stovies (a rustic Scots stew with meat and potatoes) all feature on the menu. Book a table in the courtyard garden, and finish with a drink in the Wee Pub.
Available :
Daily
08457 76 76 76
