TRAVEL TIPS

Tours

You can sign on for a sightseeing tour to get a different perspective on the city and the surrounding area.

Boat Tours

Cruises are available on Loch Lomond and to the islands in the Firth of Clyde; contact the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board for details.

Sweeney's Cruises. This operator runs tours on Loch Lomond from Balloch, Luss, and Tarbert. Riverside, Balloch Rd., Balloch, West Dunbartonshire, G83 8SS. 01389/752376; www.sweeneyscruises.com. From £10.20.

Waverley Excursions. The paddle steamer Waverley is a Glasgow institution, sailing from Glasgow to the Clyde estuary (Glaswegians call it "doon the watter") and the islands of the west coast from May to October. Waverley is the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, retired from commercial work 40 years ago but still going strong. Her evening jazz cruises are very popular. There is a wide variety of routes; check online for timetables and prices. Waverley is permanently based at Lancefield Quay, beside the science museum. 36 Lancefield Quay, Glasgow, Glasgow City, G3 8HA. 0845/130-4647; www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk. From £25.

Bus Tours

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board can give information about city tours and about longer tours northward to the Highlands and Islands.

City Sightseeing. Daily bus tours of Glasgow in open-topped double-decker buses are offered by City Sightseeing. It is a hop-on/hop-off service; the full tour lasts just under two hours, with an English-speaking guide aboard and a multilingual commentary. Tours begin at George Square. 153 Queen St., Glasgow, Glasgow City, G1 3BJ. 0141/204–0444; www.citysightseeingglasgow.co.uk. From £13.

Rabbie's Trail Burners. Choose from a range of well-regarded one-, two-, and three-day minibus tours with guides to Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Stirling, and the Highlands. 0845/643–2248; www.rabbies.com. From £45.

Private Guides

Glasgow Taxis. Few people know the city better than taxi drivers. Glasgow Taxis will organize a guided Mackintosh tour or a Burns tour around Glasgow, including pickup and drop-off at your place of choice. These black cabs carry up to five passengers. City Centre, Glasgow, Glasgow City. 0141/429–7070; www.glasgowtaxis.co.uk. From £35 per taxi.

Little's Chauffeur Drive. Arrange personally tailored car-and-driver tours, both locally and throughout Scotland. Glasgow City. 0141/883–2111; www.littles.co.uk.

Scottish Tourist Guides Association. The association provides qualified and accredited Blue Badge Guides with specific areas of expertise and who speak a range of languages. Tours start at half a day, and driver guides are also available. All bookings should be made in advance online. 01786/451953; www.stga.co.uk. From £120.

Walking Tours

The Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board can provide information on a whole range of self-guided walks around the city.

Glasgow Historic Walks. These walks will introduce you to the history and heritage of the city, from architectural strolls through crime sites to the local history of individuals such as St. Patrick and Mary, Queen of Scots. Glasgow City. No phone; www.glasgowhistoricwalks.com. From £6.

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