My trip to Scotland was from May 3-26, 2023. It began in Glasgow (3 nights), then I picked up a rental car and drove/ferried to the Isle of Arran (3 nights), Isle of Mull (4 nights), Isle of Skye (4 nights), Lewis and Harris (2 nights), then one night each in Elgin, Cruden Bay and Dunfermline. After that, I dropped off the rental and headed to Edinburgh (2 nights), then a final night at Glasgow Airport. I do keep an online journal with photos that anyone is welcome to access, so just check my profile.
MSP/AMS/GLA: The flights all went fine. I had a Comfort+ seat on Delta and got no sleep (but never do). At AMS, there was no passport control. I flew into and out of D Gate so just hung out for a couple of hours. Got to Glasgow and passed through security very quickly--within 10 minutes of deplaning I was heading outside.
The Airport Express 500 bus was easy to find. Just walk out the doors, turn left and continue down past the taxi queues until you see a purple double decker bus and join the queue of people waiting to get on. I downloaded the First Bus app and bought my ticket ahead of time but you can also just use Tap and Pay on the bus. The bus takes 20-30 minutes to get to the city.
Grasshopper’s Hotel: I highly recommend this place. I booked it based on recommendations from this forum and loved it. The hotel is located right next to the train station - in fact, there is a shortcut through the station to get there. Once you walk through the station to Union Street, look to your right and then up and you will see the Hotel Grasshoppers sign above the door. Go to the front door, press the buzzer, and they will give you a passcode to enter. Take the elevator up to the 6th floor.
The rooms are very nice with a desk area and lots of room and a comfy bed. They have an amazing selection of homemade cupcakes and ice cream (with vegan options) in the hallway that are always available (gratis!) for guests. There is a lounge with coffee and tea makings available for guests and wine and beer is available for purchase. Wine was €4 for a glass and it’s based on the honor system - you pour a glass and let them know. The lounge was a wonderful place to meet people as everyone tends to gravitate there. Breakfast is included and is served buffet style with cooked options as well as cereals, yogurt and so on. The staff was very friendly and went out of their way to be helpful. The price is reasonable as well.
Kelvingrove Museum: This museum was so much fun. I hadn’t read up on it so the contents were a total surprise. Really visually, stimulating, and some beautiful art. Everything was just wonderful. I really enjoyed this and would highly recommend a visit. If you have kids, they would definitely love it! There are also quite a few good restaurants in the area so it would be worth stopping by and getting a meal before or after. I ate at Mother India’s Cafe. Very good, although I was surprised that many Indian restaurants in Scotland do not serve rice with a dish. You have to order it separately.
Glasgow Cathedral and Necropolis: I stopped by here on the day of the coronation, and they had TV screens up. I liked the cathedral, although it wasn’t as ornate as many other European ones. But I think it’s worth a visit, and I would definitely visit the Necropolis, which is right next to it. That was pretty cool. I saw the gravestone for the man who wrote Wee Willy Winky.
Tenement House: I liked this place and thought it was interesting. I don’t know that I would put it on my top places to go to, but I was in the area and enjoyed it.
Hunterian Art Gallery: The art here was really nice, especially their Whistler collection. This is a great place to just wander around enjoying their small but nice collection. It’s pretty easy to get to by public transportation as it is right on the campus and a quick walk from the bus stop.
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