AROUND THE LOCAL AREA
EXPLORE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF SCOTLAND FROM YOUR TRANQUIL BASE AT CRAIGMADDIE MUIR
AROUND CRAIGMADDIE
Craigmaddie Roundhouse is a walker's paradise in that you can enjoy scenic walks on leaving the building. Immediately behind the Roundhouse we have our 250 acre moorland which has an abundance of wildlife, you will see Buzzards, Kestrels, Sparrow hawks, Curlew, ducks on the ponds, meadow pipets and Skylarks, to name but a few!
There are lovely walks on the moor with stunning views (in any weather!) to the north where you can see Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps. From the trig point at the top of the moor you can see through to the Pentland hills in the East and on a clear day Goat fell on the Isle of Arran.
Also, on Craigmaddie Muir we have our own standing stones the ‘Auld Wives Lifts’, which consist of three extremely large pieces of grey rock, one propped on top of the other two. There is a space between them through which it is possible to pass.
The rocks are covered in carved graffiti from as far back as the 18th century at least, as well as around eight or so carved 'heads' or faces.
The roundhiouse is perfectly located in the centre of Scotland which makes it the ideal touring base. Some of our favourite days out are listed below along with links to some fantastic areas well worth a visit.
MUGDOCK COUNTRY PARK - ONLY ONE MILE AWAY!
Mugdock Country Park covers 260 hectares and offers a range of activities. Mugdock is a great day out. Activities include walking, cycling, horse riding and archery. Visit one of the three cafes. The Ranger Service leads outdoor learning and environmental activities and the park holds cultural and sporting events throughout the year. Mugdock was the home of the ‘noble Grahams’ for centuries and also James Graham Marquis of Montrose.
LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL PARK
Loch Lomond National Park is a mere 20 min drive away. At the heart of the park is Loch Lomond itself. You wont find a bigger loch or lake in the whole of Britain and you'll have a hard time finding a more beautiful one. Take a cruise on the waters and admire the mighty bulk of Ben Lomond, Scotland's most southerly Munro, as well as the jagged shoulders of the Arrochar Alps. You could maybe even visit one of the loch's 30 islands.
FALKIRK WHEEL
The Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift, designed and built to connect the Forth & Clyde Canal and the Union Canal which allows coast to coast navigation across central Scotland.
The magnificent structure stands 115ft tall and requires only the power of eight domestic kettles, to sail boats through the air and transfer them between the two canals. The Falkirk Wheel has not only been described as a feat of engineering but as a work of art and is now an iconic Scottish landmark attracting over 500,000 visitors a year. There are regular boat trips which allow you to experience the wheel. The canal also offers great walking and cycling opportunities.
SS WALTER SCOTT
SS Sir Walter Scott is a small steamship that has provided pleasure cruises and a ferry service on Loch Katrine in the scenic Trossachs of Scotland for more than a century, and is the only surviving screw steamer in regular passenger service in Scotland. It is named after the writer Walter Scott, who set his 1810 poem Lady of the Lake and his 1818 novel Rob Roy around Loch Katrine.
In 1859 Loch Katrine became Glasgow's main water supply, connected by aqueducts and tunnels to the city more than 30 miles (48 km) away, through a hilly landscape. You can see the Mugdock and Craigmaddie reservoirs which are fed from Loch Katrine, from the roundhouse windows.
GLENGOYNE DISTILLERY
Glengoyne Distillery is situated only 5 miles away, Often described as "Scotland's Most Beautiful Distillery", Glengoyne is open all year for guided distillery tours, whisky tastings and special events. This hard working distillery has been flourishing since 1833. Glengoyne's range of in-depth distillery tours, whisky tasting sessions, private dining and unique hospitality includes the legendary Master Blender tour where guests create their very own individual whisky to take home.
KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY & MUSEUM
This museum is a 30 min drive away.
Kelvingrove Museum opened in 1901 and is a firm favourite with local people and visitors. It has stunning architecture, a
friendly atmosphere and what's more it's free to get in!
Explore our 22 galleries and discover everything from art to animals, Ancient Egypt to Charles Rennie Mackintosh and so much more.
BLAIRDRUMMOND SAFARI PARK
Drive for 40 mins and visit one of Scotland's top attractions for an incredible day out. View giraffes, lions, elephants, tigers and meerkats. Take your chances with the cheeky monkeys in the Park's famous Macaque Drive-thru, walk with free-roaming lemurs in Lemur Land, catch the popular sea lion and bird of prey shows, and take a boat ride to Chimp Island
DAVID MARSHALL LODGE
With trails suitable for all, tree top adventures(Go Ape), a great café, toilets and plenty of information, this should be your first stop when it comes to exploring Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. Enjoy panoramic views and scenic trails, including a gentle stroll to a waterfall and more strenuous routes to lofty woods and rocky crags.
THE KELPIES
The Helix is an exciting new parkland providing activities such as cycling, walking, watersports and much more. The Helix is also home of The Kelpies, two 30-metre-high horse head sculptures which are a true feat of engineering. They are the largest equine structures in the world.
Located between Falkirk and Grangemouth, it was created as a space for the communities in the Falkirk area to come together. The Kelpies go a step further in bringing together not only people from different parts of Scotland and the UK, but from all over the world.
SHOPPING IN GLASGOW
Glasgow is the largest retail centre in the UK outside London’s West End and it is only a 25min drive away. The city’s ‘Style Mile’ is one square mile of some of the best high street shopping, flagship stores and designer favourites. What's more, over 200 stores have late night opening hours, especially on a Thursday evening.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Golf
– There are numerous golf courses locally.
Dougalston Golf course 0141 955 0801
Milngavie Golf course 0141 956 1619
Hilton Park 0141 956 4657
Douglas Park 0141 942 0985
Further afield there is championship courses at Troon which is an hour away by car and Gleneagles Hotel which is also an hour away. The famous home of golf, St.Andrews, is a two hour drive away.
Horse Riding
– Easterton stables www.eastertonfarmpark.com
is one mile away and offers riding lessons and hacking. It also has a cafe which serves an amazing cooked breakfast!.
EATING OUT AND IN!
Milngavie is 2 miles away and has a good selection of restaurants, cafes and take-aways which include:
Garvies - www.garvieandco.com
Andiamos - www.andiamo-restaurants.com (great takeaway pizzas!)
Finsbay - www.finsbay.com
Tel: 0141 956 6016
Wutong - www.g62wutong.co.uk
Classic India Milngavie - classicindiamilngavie.co.uk (should deliver)
Peony (Chinese, take away only) - ww1.peonymilngavie.co.uk (should deliver)
Dining In With Mother India - great Indian food and perfect to pick up before checking in to the roundhouse. Can then be heated up when suits! Located in Bearsden, around a 10 min drive away.
www.motherindiaglasgow.co.uk
Colpi Traditional Ice Cream - the best ice vanilla cream in the world!!! Better still, it's only 2 miles away!
purecolpi.co.uk
Further afield in the west end of Glasgow (which is about a 20 minute drive), there is a fantastic array of restaurants which will meet any taste, this includes one of our favourites Two fat ladies at The Buttery. The Buttery is one of the most best known restaurants in Scotland and is well worth the visit!
http://twofatladiesrestaurant.com/buttery
