Discover Glasgow by Motorhome : Complete Guide
Introduction
Welcome to our complete travel guide to Glasgow by motorhome. We’ll show you around this fascinating city, Scotland’s largest, rich in history and culture. We’ll tell you about its past, its climate, and give you tips on how to travel at the best time of year. We’ll also share budget ideas, places to park and sleep, and much more. Get ready to embark on an unforgettable adventure through Glasgow.
What is Glasgow, Scotland?
History of Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city and the UK’s third largest, has a rich and fascinating history. Located in the western part of the central Scottish Lowlands, Glasgow was founded by two medieval founders: the ancient Archdiocese of Glasgow and the University of Glasgow in 1451.
Its decisive rise came after the Scottish Enlightenment, marking a rapid transition from tool mastery to machinismo. In the 18th century, Glasgow became a major center for transatlantic trade, and during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, engineering and shipbuilding took over.
Despite its reputation as a slum city during the Victorian and Edwardian eras, today Glasgow is one of Europe’s most important financial centers.
Geographical location
Glasgow is located in west-central Scotland in the Clyde Valley. The city covers an area of 175.5 km2 and is 79 km from Edinburgh and 599 km from London. The Clyde, the river that runs through the town, is renowned for the naval traffic it has generated over the past two centuries.
How to get to Glasgow
Glasgow is served by two international airports. Glasgow International Airport (GLA) is the closest airport to the city and handles the majority of Glasgow’s air traffic. It offers shuttle flights to and from London and the rest of the UK, continental flights to various European cities and long-haul transatlantic services to cities such as New York, Cancún, Orlando and several Canadian cities, in addition to Dubai. The airport is located to the west of the city, in the town of Paisley, and is linked to the city by the M8 freeway. Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is located 29 miles southwest of the city in South Ayrshire and focuses on short-haul leisure flights to Europe, low-cost airlines and cargo traffic.
Glasgow has one of the densest train networks in the UK outside London, with 186 stations in the Greater Glasgow area. The commuter network is managed by ScotRail Trains, a company owned by the Scottish Government, and is centered around the two main terminal stations, Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Queen Street Station. The main station mainly serves routes to the south of the city, such as Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and links with the rest of the UK. Queen Street services tend to run east-west across the city, with additional services serving the north of Scotland.
To get to Glasgow by car or motorhome, the city is a focal point of Scotland’s motorway network. The network is heavily used at peak times and is one of the most comprehensive in the UK, linking the city center with the rest of the vast Greater Glasgow region. The M8, Scotland’s busiest freeway, runs through the center of Glasgow, linking the city with Edinburgh, some 40 miles east of Glasgow. Other major freeways include the M73, M74 and M77.
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To get to the UK, we didn’t use the Tunnel or the Ferry from Calais, we left from the Netherlands! From Rotterdam, it’s quite easy to reach the Kingdom in a relatively short time. All you have to do is follow the country’s east coast to reach the wonderful world of Scotland!
Climate: When to visit Glasgow in a motorhome?
The climate in Glasgow, which is fairly close toEdinburgh, is typically oceanic, with four distinct seasons. Winter is cool and rainy, spring sees nature awaken, summer is mild and autumn is marked by a gradual drop in temperatures and an increase in precipitation. The maximum temperature in Glasgow averages 12°C over the year, ranging from 6°C in January to 18°C in July. Average annual rainfall is 1,725mm, with a minimum of 87mm in April and a maximum of 184mm in December.
| Month | Average temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Weather | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°/6° | 164mm | ☔ | Very unfavorable |
| February | 3°/6° | 146mm | ☔ | Very unfavorable |
| March | 3°/8° | 125mm | ☔ | Very unfavorable |
| April | 5°/11° | 87mm | 🌦 | Very unfavorable |
| May | 9°/14° | 112mm | 🌦 | Unfavorable |
| June | 12°/17° | 117mm | 🌦 | Unfavorable |
| July | 13°/18° | 149mm | 🌦 | Unfavorable |
| August | 12°/17° | 167mm | 🌦 | Unfavorable |
| September | 10°/15° | 130mm | 🌦 | Unfavorable |
| October | 8°/12° | 183mm | ☔ | Unfavorable |
| November | 5°/9° | 168mm | ☔ | Very unfavorable |
| December | 3°/6° | 184mm | ☔ | Very unfavorable |
Based on this information, I’d advise you to visit Edinburgh between May and September. Although the weather is classified as “unfavorable” during these months, this is the time when temperatures are most pleasant and rainfall least significant. However, bear in mind that the climate in Scotland can be unpredictable, so it’s always best to be prepared for changeable weather.
We did our Scottish RoadTrip during the period July to August 2022. It was a very hot year for the whole country, indeed for the whole of Europe. On the Isle of Skye, in Portree, we even met some locals who were totally bewildered by the weather. But don’t worry, we’ve had plenty of Scottish rain! Especially at Edinburgh level! But what would Scottish charm be without a little refreshing rain?
Sleeping spots and motorhome service areas in Glasgow
Here’s the final list of the 5 best spots to sleep in a motorhome in Glasgow, Scotland, ranked by rating and reviews:
- 📍🥇 Unnamed Road: An unnamed place that has won over travelers with its calm and proximity to the city center.
- 📍🥈 75 Collins Street: An ideal place to park and explore Glasgow, appreciated for its tranquility.
- 📍🥉 Glasgow Green: A green space in the heart of the city, perfect for a nature break.
- 📍 13 Parsonage Square: Parking right in the center of town, close to all attractions.
- 📍 75 Port Dundas Road: A place without comments or notes, but could be an option to consider.
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We chose a parking lot not far from the botanical gardens we visited, and opposite the police gate. Admittedly, it’s pretty handy for avoiding theft. It’s a pay-by-day parking lot, and only by coins, because to pay by card you need an app, but maybe we weren’t good at it, but we couldn’t get our bank details in with a French card.
The parking lot isn’t the closest to the center and we had to take our bikes each time. It was a 20-minute drive with partially bikeable roads. But that’s the price you usually have to pay in big cities.
Another important point if you wish to stay several nights. oil changes are in short supply, so we had to drive a few kilometers out of town to a campsite for one night, in order to change the water.
Where and what to eat in Glasgow
Glasgow, a Scottish city, is a real treasure trove for gourmets. It has undergone a culinary revolution, with a new generation of chefs and restaurants influenced by cuisines from around the world, while remaining true to their Scottish roots. They like to use 100% Scottish products and know how to revisit great classics, always at the right price. Here are a few places to discover in Glasgow, from the West End to the City, right down to the small suburbs.
Glasgow’s restaurants
- 🍽️ Turnip & Enjoy: A real treasure at an affordable price. Inventive, seasonal cuisine, prepared with taste, day by day. A beautiful modern room, attentive service and a menu that highlights Scottish products.
- 🍽️ Cail Bruich: For me, Cail Bruich is the best restaurant in Glasgow, with a well-inspired chef at the service of Scottish gastronomy.
- 🍽️ Porter & Rye: A good West End address. If you like your meat matured to perfection, Porter & Rye is the place to go.
- 🍽️ The Gannett: A little gem of West-End bistronomy. In a simple setting, it’s a neighborhood restaurant where 100% Scottish products are revisited with a modern twist.
- 🍽️ Gamba: A must for seafood lovers. Yes, fish is the king of Scottish gastronomy, and chef Derek Marshall magnifies it to perfection at Gamba.
Glasgow specialities
Glasgow is renowned for its contemporary Scottish cuisine, with its diverse influences. Local chefs are renowned for their ability to revisit classic dishes with a contemporary, often fusion, twist, drawing inspiration from other cuisines around the world. Local specialities include haggis, black pudding, potatoes and cabbage. However, the city has much more to offer, with a variety of dishes ranging from fresh seafood to mature meats.
Glasgow was a great place for food. Thanks to a local acquaintance, we discovered a wonderful restaurant called Stravaigin. On their website, it even advertises itself as “The Best Scottish Restaurant in Glasgow”, and it has to be said that of all the restaurants we’ve been to in the UK, it takes the cake by far. Caro had chosen a vegetarian curry which was a delight, and I had the best mussels of my life (in Scotland I had the best mussels ever). The latter were chilli mussels, and I’m still salivating over them.
A completely different atmosphere can be found at Waxy O’Connor’s Glasgow, which is a pub but where it is still possible to eat Scottish specialities. A visit to this pub is a real attraction in itself, as it is magnificent, even incredible (like the mussels).
Travel budget for a RoadTrip to Glasgow
The currency used in Scotland is the pound sterling (GBP). The cost of living in Scotland is 7.5% lower than in France, and local purchasing power is 5.7% higher. When traveling, plan on a local budget of at least €108 per person per day.
– Meal in a mid-range restaurant: €29(+16% on 🇫🇷)
– Fast-food menu: €7(-23% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Local beer (50 cl draught): €4.5(-25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Single public transport ticket: €2.9(+76% on 🇫🇷)
– Monthly public transport pass: €76(+51% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Unleaded petrol (1 liter): €1.65(+6% on 🇫🇷)
– Budget hotel (double room): €68(+18% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Mid-range hotel (double room): €104(+25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Top-of-the-range hotel (double room): €173(-38% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or equivalent): €68(-16% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Summer dress in a major retailer (Zara, H&M…): €34(-3% compared to 🇫🇷)
– Pair of sports shoes: €73(-13% compared with 🇫🇷)
Indeed, Glasgow and the UK aren’t particularly cheap for us French Europeans. We found that the food itself was quite expensive, as were the activities. Beer, on the other hand, is very, very cheap, as is cider.
If you’re interested in buying alcohol, be aware that sales are prohibited at certain times of the day, early in the morning and late at night.
What to do in Glasgow
Here is a list of things to do in Glasgow by theme
- Visit the Riverside Museum, which tells the story of transport in Glasgow and Scotland.
- Explore the Necropolis, Glasgow’s Victorian cemetery with its beautiful views over the city.
- Follow in the footsteps of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Glasgow’s world-famous artist, with a visit to the Glasgow School of Art and Mackintosh House.
- Discover the statue of the Duke, the Duke of Wellington, with his construction cone on his head, which has become the city’s best-known emblem.
- Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, one of Scotland’s most important museums.
- Do a little shopping at Barras Market, one of Glasgow’s iconic markets.
- Take in a Scottish soccer match at Hampden Park, Scotland’s national stadium.
- Take a Subcrawl, a pub crawl on Europe’s third oldest metro system.
- Visit Glasgow University and the Hunterian Museum, the fourth oldest English-speaking university.
The West End Festival is an annual event held in Glasgow’s west end. It began in 1996 as a small local festival centred on Byres Road. It has since become the biggest festival in Glasgow’s calendar, with events taking place over 16 days in June. Its carnival parade is the biggest carnival event in the UK after Notting Hill in London. The festival features a wide range of activities and events, including live music, outdoor theater, comedy, drama, guided walks, lectures, films, children’s events, various local street celebrations and markets, and a well-known carnival parade and street party on the opening Sunday.
Conclusion: Why visit or return to Glasgow?
We loved our trip to Glasgow. The richness of its history, the diversity of its cuisine and the beauty of its landscapes really won us over. However, we were a little put off by the cost of living, which can be quite high. Despite this, Glasgow remains a must-see destination for all motorhome travellers. We hope our guide will help you plan your own adventure in this incredible city.
FAQ
There are several places to park your motorhome in Glasgow. One of the best is Red Deer Village Holiday Park, a 5-star vacation park on the outskirts of Glasgow.
You should visit several places in Glasgow, including the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Science Centre, Riverside Museum, and Buchanan Street for shopping.
The best time to visit Glasgow is from May to September, when the weather is warmest and driest.
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