The Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

Why not tour some of the Western Highlands from Glasgow - Loch Lomand, Kilmartin (bronze and iron age stone circles and cairns a good museum), Inverary with its fairytale castle. There is lots to see around the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran.

I haven't been to Glasgow but hope to visit there. I have been to Edinburgh, Hadrian's Wall, and the northern part of the Lake District. If I had a few days I'd spend them in Glasgow and nearby Scotland as Lesley suggests, or add to Edinburgh depending on how much time I already had planned there.

It's 132 miles from Glasgow to Keswick in the Lake District, about the same to the midpoint of Hadrian's Wall. Both areas are scenic and historic, with lots of appeal. I'd say hiking is probably the main long-term activity for people in both areas, but there's enough scenery and history to fill several days without more than short walks.

The Wall sites we visited (based from Durham) were Housesteads and Vindolanda. Housesteads is the ruins of a Roman fort next to the wall. Vindolanda is the ruins of a Roman town, with an active archaeological dig, a few miles south of the wall, plus an excellent museum with artifacts found there. Hexham, to the east, has a fine old church with a Saxon crypt. But if I were you I'd save that all for another trip and focus on Scotland in the time you have.

There are lots of great things to see in the Borders and down to the Lake District. There is a great site on Hadrian's Wall. I really enjoyed Housesteads. Hexham is good as well. They have a lovely little museum on the Reivers of the Borders. Further into Scotland, I found Hermitage Castle to be appropriately looming in the middle of the Debatable Lands. Mary Queen of Scotts slept there. :) All through the borders are the Abbey's the Henry VIII destroyed during the rough wooing. There's Jedburgh, Melrose, Dryburgh, and Kelso. I also enjoyed Floor's Castle and Abbotsford, Sir Walter Scott's home. Traquair House was a great visit. I liked the maze and the house. The story about the gates was lovely.

Selkirk is a town that I want to visit some day. Take a look at this site and you'll see why. You should also visit Castlerigg Stone Circle when you're there.

I liked Keswick. When I visited there street was full of Morris dancers!! Carlisle is interesting too. I liked the Castle.

Check out Fraser's book The Steel Bonnets.

I've spent a great deal of time in the Lake District and, although I am a big hiker, there is plenty to see! The whole area is extremely picturesque, even just driving around. Greener than green fields and hills, sheep and stone walls. It looks just like you want England to look! There are lots of historic sites...Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, Beatrix Potters Hilltop farm, and John Ruskin's beautiful lakeside home across the lake from Coniston. Derwentwater, the lake in Keswick, has beautiful antique wooden boats that you can ride around the lake on and enjoy the views. The town of Keswick is wonderful (it's where we always base ourselves in the Lake District). There is a beautiful playhouse next to the lake that puts on great productions. Up the hill is the Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of the many ancient stone circles in England. The towns of Grasmere and Ambleside are really quaint, if not a bit touristy. Grasmere has a wonderful small church and a tiny building that sells their own version of gingerbread - with ice cold milk it's pretty amazing!

I second what Anita said about Keswick. It is a really nice town to stay in and it is an easy drive to Lake Windermere and surroundings. The Beatrix Potter and Longfellow sights are really worth seeing.

I am not a hiker but I second what Anita said about Keswick. It is a really nice town to stay in and it is an easy drive to Lake Windermere and surroundings. The Beatrix Potter and Longfellow sights are really worth seeing.

August is the absolute ideal time to tour the Scottish Highlands. I suggest you head North from Glasgow and see it all when you have the chance. The Trossachs, Glencoe, Isle of Skye, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness is a memorable trip which fits into your time frame.

Suzanne, the Scottish highlands have great places to see. But, if you have the time, Keswick and the Lake District are wonderful places to see and visit. We stayed in Overwater Hall which is just NW of Keswick. You really stay there for the dinner reservation. We drove down to Ambelside, Windermere and drove around the Windermere Lake to visit Hawkshead (Beatrice Potter Museum & House) and then took the short ferry ride back to Windermere. Here's a link to a picture that shows what Anita described above (hills and rocks). It's really quite scenic. There's actually a 2-lane road between the two rock walls. http://gyazo.com/290e3a8fc3a1e3ef96cde960586fbb04

Colin - ON.-Canada - Ex Brit. Only partly Scottish.
The advice to stay in Scotland for a few days is good as there are lots of historic places within easy reach.

If you want a beautiful place to stay away from Glasgow try Stirling were there is a memorial tower to Wallace and you can see the battlefield where he led his followers to defeat the English. (some say aided by refugee Templars on Heavy Horse, who fled from France into Western Scotland). Stirling has a fine castle where a Scottish Regiment is usually garrisoned, yet stiil accessible in part to the public. You are also within easy reach of Loch Lomond & Loch Katrine, and Cambuskenneth Abby
Glasgow also has some very interesting places to visit.

Make sure you visit the Lake District next time you visit the UK. and if you do, visit Cartmel Priory in the south part of the area, which is said to be the only religious establishment untouched by the sacking of the same by Henry VIII. Has a superb Chapter House.

Hi, great choice you'll love the tattoo! Wow I'm excited for you!

I live in the north of England but have relatives in Glasgow so know this area particularly well. If you want any advice message me.

Ok, first the choice is go north and explore the highlands or south and hadrians wall and the Lake District. It really does depend on what you like. Mu itinery would include the following: (you should google these)
Hadrians wall, you can drive the length of the wall, the roman road runs about 500 yes behind the wall and it a good fast road...make sure you stop off a sycamore gap...made famous in the opening scenes of Robin Hood prince of thieves the lone tree in the hollow ground Costner et al are standing on Hadrians wall! Definitely see housteads roman fort. If your in the area go for a coffee at Langley castle this is a proper real deal knights in shining armour castle and is magnificent, it's open to drop in and have coffee lunch or stay ..

If you come down the A1 pop into Alnwick castle a magnificent castle parts of Harry potter filmed here. Also bamburgh castle one of the most magnificent in Europe

Visit Durham cathedral wow ..and Durham bill Bryson's favorite city

If your into pubs look up britains highest..tan hill inn

In the Lake District wow there is so much to do if you like outdoors stuff but still good if not, Beatrix Potters house, Rheged, a host of beautiful properties open to the public .

If you need any other help just message me