Strategy for planning a trip to Glasgow in February 2026

Generally I wouldn't book a thing. Glasgow just isn't that kind of a place, and hotels don't get booked up unless there is a really big event on.
There is no cost benefit in booking the trains to Edinburgh ahead of time, and no assigned seating. The only exception being the two daily Cross Country trains from Glasgow to Plymouth via Edinburgh.
There is also the express bus #900 every 15 minutes for £10 day return- a walk up fare.
A central Scotland rail rover ticket could be a good investment.
You can do St Andrews by direct bus every 30 minutes, totally different scenery than the train, or Stirling on the McGills bus - out through the Trossachs, back direct (both hourly routes). A wonderful day trip.
Done both of those.
Day trip by train to Oban or Fort William would be magnificent if there has been snow.
Or Aviemore for skiing in the Cairngorms- train or hourly bus.
Dundee by train or bus for the museums.
If you got sparkling weather there are several magnificent ferry/bus day trips you can do. All totally spontaneous.
A bit more planned (for cost) there is the hourly train to Lockerbie, to pay your respects to those lost there.
On a far lighter note train or very regular bus to Ayr or Dumfries for Robert Burns.
The border city of Carlisle is only just over the hour for the 102 miles by train. Booked a few days ahead I usually get that for £15 return.

All good suggestions by Stuart. I think getting to Fort William or Oban without getting absolutely battered by the weather in February would be a bonus.

Edinburgh is an easy day trip if the weather's not so great.

In general, I think flexibility is the best idea in Scotland that time of year. Even if it's not so bad with road closures or train disruptions, sometimes you have to ask yourself if it's worth going if you get out of bed and the weather is howling.

There's things on Stuart's list that would be easy in poor weather, and some things not so much fun. Edinburgh, Stirling and Falkirk are all easily reachable. The Ayrshire Coast, like Ayr, Troon and Ardrossan, even if you're not sailing to Arran. The Trossachs and the A82 side of Loch Lomond. In the "bit more of a trek that time of year" category I'd probably put Aviemore, St Andrews, Fort William and Oban.

I think it depends on how much clothing you bring. If you stick to the towns and cities you can get away with just normal people winter clothes. If you're heading up north you need to pack some clothes that you can handle some wet and cold weather in.

Stuart and Gerry - you have given me a LOT to think about - thank you!! I never considered many of the possibilities you have listed here. I will look into the train pass too. Obviously I have a lot of research to do (exciting!). Rabbies also has a few day trips from Glasgow even in the winter months, which is something I will look into, but I like the options of day trips on my own.

Mainly, I am relieved that I can be spontaneous and flexible with the trip. I think I was a little concerned about this.

I agree with both Gerry and Stuart—I don't think I booked anything ahead of time in Glasgow (well, except the hotel), and never had any problems. I would definitely suggest visiting Stirling Castle (and the town of Stirling) while you're there. It was a wonderful day trip and very easy by train from Glasgow's Queen St. station.

You also might want to check Rabbies' one day tours from Glasgow, which come highly recommended. Not all of them will be available in February but definitely some will, and you could get to some places that would be a bit more difficult with public transportation. If you visit their website, you can sign up to receive their 2026 schedule as soon as it comes out. https://www.rabbies.com/en-gb/tours/scotland/from-glasgow

ETA: I just saw that you are aware of the Rabbies tours, lol! So never mind. :-)

Mardee, thank you for your perspective and experience. I am happy to hear that I don't have to book activities/tours ahead without knowing what the weather will be like. And no worries, I am glad we are on the same wavelength about the Rabbies tours! I think I definitely want to visit Stirling and Edinburgh (probably these are places my husband would like to visit too), but these we can plan on our own. But Stuart and Gerry have given me quite a few more ideas, especially if the weather is cooperative. I will look into those. There is also a Rabbies tour I am eyeing, possibly on my own if the weather is decent. We should be there 9 nights (7 nights conference, 2 on our own) so I want to plan a few alternatives. Of course, I also have a wishlist of places/things I want to see/do in Glasgow too. I am very excited about a long stay in one place.

With your 2 nights on your own after your week in Glasgow, I'd be tempted to stay in Edinburgh. I find Edinburgh to have more charm than Glasgow and being smaller is easier to get around and soak up all the history that will surround you.

Jean, the original thought was to spend the extra 2 nights in Edinburgh. But we are rethinking that for a couple of reasons. First, we will probably be flying in and out of GLA airport, and I thought it would be much easier to just stay in Glasgow. Second, Edinburgh is so much more expensive than Glasgow! I don't know if prices will change as we get a little closer to the travel dates, but right now they are almost double what Glasgow costs. The Premier Inns in Edinburgh are ALL sold out for the dates we are looking for, which makes me think they are not released yet. And if we end up doing a day trip during those days, we might as well stay in cheaper Glasgow. And if the weather is terrible, we will not have to worry about getting to/from GLA airport.

We have not made up our minds yet, but we are leaning towards staying in Glasgow....but this may change.....thank you for weighing in.

Hi, MapLady,

As far as weather goes, I spent a couple of weeks in Glasgow in February in each of the years 2001 through 2006. I never encountered any weather problems until on one of my trips I hit some snow while driving up to Aberdeen. One year the temperature actually hit 60 Fahrenheit.

I don't think that you need to worry about the weather unless you've planned a day trip by ferry, and the weather closes in. There is a lot to see and do in Glasgow - most of the museums are free, and there are restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. My personal favorite restaurant is The University Cafe on Byres Road. It has been in the same family for over a century, so they must be doing something right!

If you want the true Glasgow experience, you need to visit The Barras on a Saturday or Sunday. Even if you don't buy anything. It's an amazing indoor/outdoor flea market/farmer's market. Some of it is downright Dickensian in nature.

You've been given great advice from Stuart (isn31c), Mardee, and GerryM. Now you just have to pick and choose.

Have a wonderful time!

Mike (Auchterless)

Exactly - Glasgow is almost always a fraction of the price of Edinburgh for hotels and most everything else. With such cheap and fast 24/7/365 transport between the two cities I could never contemplate staying in Edinburgh unless I found a killer deal as I did once, down at Leith
To me Edinburgh is tourist kitsch (what the tourist thinks Scotland is), Glasgow is real and vibrant, maybe a bit gritty at times., but actual real life.
Even the bagpipes on every corner are just different, in a way I can't define in words

Mike, I am so relieved to hear that the weather is generally not as bad as I was thinking! I am adding to my notes as I get suggestions on this forum. Do you have a favorite meal at the university cafe? I am planning to visit the university and would love to eat there. Thank you for your recommendations.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this trip actually happens!

Yes, I've maybe made a bit too much of the weather in my last post. It's unlikely that it will be bad enough to physically stop you doing stuff, but you need to be brave sometimes in February if it's miserable, especially if you are waiting for buses and trains. It's sometimes hard to know the tolerance of someone from California to a bit of Scottish winter weather. It's not the season for planning to see remote castles or ancient monuments really. Many people don't realise how short the days are in February until they experience it.

Do you think you'd want to stay in the city centre in Glasgow? Is the conference in a city centre location?

I tend to recommend the west end to people if you've got a few days. You get a better flavour of Glasgow in a west end location. If you're near Byres Road the Underground gets you to the city centre in a few minutes. That's where Mike's favourite, The University Cafe is located too! We talked about a hotel near The Botanic Gardens recently that I thought looked really nice. I can dig that up. The advantage of a city centre location would be having Glasgow Central and Queen Street railway stations and Buchanan bus station within walking distance, if you're focused on spending your days out of town.

Just to add, the west end hotel we talked about on here before was this one - https://ambassador-hotel.net/

Gerry, the conference will be at the Scottish Event Center (SEC) but the details of the conference hotel(s), with special conference rates, is yet to be announced. I am assuming it will be around the SEC though. My husband is going to want to stay at the conference hotel during the conference at least, if not the entire time.

And yes, I agree that even if the weather is not too bad to stop travel, I am the one who needs to be brave with the cold and the wet. In addition to "being from California", I grew up in India, so definitely am not used to the cold! I am generally okay as long as temperatures hover over freezing, and not quite as brave below that. The other point you brought up earlier - to kit up appropriately - I am taking that to heart. While I do have lots of warm layers, I think I need to put some effort into staying dry.

I'm still looking into some of the suggestions Stuart and you made yesterday....I will compile a list and post on this forum, but it may take another couple of days. I really appreciate your help!

Well the SEC has It's own station- imaginatively called Exhibition Centre- with very frequent suburban service into Glasgow on what I still refer to as the Blue Trains (the affectionate local name for the suburban electrics).
Those trains go a long way out to Helensburgh (for Mackintosh's Hill House)- change at Partick.
Go one stop up the line to Partick for through trains to Edinburgh every 30 minutes via the Bathgate route.
Using the Clyde Walkway/Cycleway you can walk into the City in around 45 minutes. Done that several times when catching the paddle vessel Waverley. The Glasgow Science Centre (museum) is just across the river and Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery is very much within walking distance.
Not a bad location to stay at IMO, if corporate bland hotels

Stuart, I was not too happy about staying near the SEC, so I am happier to hear your perspective. I think I would have preferred to be near the Buchanan bus station. I am concerned about standing around or walking about in the cold and wet. But maybe I just need to stop being wimpy. And get some good waterproofs.

Getting back to the possibility of staying in Edinburgh for a couple nights. The is another chain called Motel One. They have 2 locations that are well positioned for visiting Edinburgh. I have not stayed at either one. But, several posters in the past year have mentioned being happy with their stays. Do a forum search if you interested.

Yes, the SEC isn't a bad location. Another bonus is that the Finnieston neighbourhood is a short walk from there. There's a real food scene come up there in the last few years. Several very high quality, cool places to eat on that stretch of Argyle Street. Several very good pubs around there and the Kelvingrove area too. The most well-known is probably the Ben Nevis. It's known for its selection of fine malt whiskys. Some of the pubs have a Highland flavour and clientele and there are regular traditional music sessions to be found.

Hi again, MapLady,

My favorite meal at the University Cafe is a Scottish favorite, pie, beans, and chips. Followed by an ice cream cone with one of their homemade flavors. Best is the vanilla ice cream with raspberry sauce.

Anthony Bourdain visited the University Cafe in 2015:

https://www.glasgowworld.com/best-in/anthony-bourdains-glasgow-7-spots-where-bourdain-ate-and-drank-in-the-city-4553968

https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/lifestyle/lifestyle/23674269.glasgow-cafe-still-loved-100-years-old/

I've visited Glasgow many times over the last 50 years, and the University Cafe is always on my list of best places to eat.

Hope you get an opportunity to visit.

Mike (Auchterless)

Jean - if we decide to spend a couple of nights in Edinburgh, I have shortlisted the Motel One on Princes St. And am waiting for Premier Inns to release those dates too.

Gerry - Stuart and you are making me feel a lot happier with the location.

Mike - I looked up the University Cafe after you mentioned it earlier....and the ice-cream is definitely everyone's favorite. I'm really looking forward to visiting. Pie/beans/chips sounds very good!

You are all amazing! Thank you for your help!

I think there would be some cracking views from the upper floors of one of the tall hotels at the SEC. You're right by the river and The Squinty Bridge, Finnieston Crane, Riverside Museum and The Science Centre are all interesting things to look at.

Make sure Mr MapLady gets booked up for the conference asap :)

Ha ha, Gerry - I bet we will not get those rooms with the awesome views! We're still waiting to receive the hotel details; I'm assuming that will be in Sep/Oct sometime.

Getting back to the possibility of staying in Edinburgh for a couple nights. The is another chain called Motel One.

There is also a Motel One in Glasgow, which is near the Central train station, and is supposed to be very nice. Allan, who posts here a lot, stayed there and really liked it. I stayed at Grasshoppers Hotel, which I loved but which sadly went out of business last year. I have stayed at the Motel One in Berlin and liked that one a lot. Very clean, very comfortable, good service and very reasonable prices. If you become a member, I believe you get your first night's breakfast for free.

Mardee, I think that's the Motel One on Princes St, which I have already shortlisted. I saw a lot of recommendations for it on this forum, and the prices are currently the most reasonable. I was hoping to be able to compare some Premier Inns, but I don't think they have released bookings for our dates as ALL the Edinburgh PIs are "sold out". Fortunately I still have a lot of time to figure this out.

I'm enjoying having the forum members to talk to about this, because my husband and other friends in real life think it is too early to plan for this trip (!).

If you've found a good price with Motel One that has free cancellation and no prepayment you should book it. Prices are only going to go up.

And it looks like Premier Inn Edinburgh is only booking about 9 months in advance. As of today they have rooms available thru Feb. 26.

Jean, that's a good idea! Thank you!

MapLady, Marlee was pointing you toward the Motel One in Glasgow, not the one in Edinburgh: https://www.motel-one.com/en/travel-design/design-stories/glasgow/

Nancy - thank you - I should have read Mardee's post more carefully. Apologies, Mardee! I'll look into that one.

I looked it up and the tall hotel at the SEC I'm thinking of is the Crowne Plaza. That would be a great spot for taking a look at Glasgow.

Weather wise February is cold and wet. The temp will generally be well under 10 degrees Celcius, the max for the month is generally about 7. And there will be rain.

Glasgow has a lot of things to do indoors, with the museums, and shopping, and has some of the best public transport in the UK. It is also the hub for Scotland's transport network, train, bus, and road. That time of the year few trains on ScotRail will require booking, most don't need it in the middle of summer. The Stirling, Edinburgh, and Falkirk lines are commuter lines, for Glasgow and Edinburgh, so are frequent.

Some places will not be open, generally NTS properties will not open before 1st March, but Glasgow and Edinburgh are often the exceptions as they will get visitors overwinter in the way further out will not.

Plus the SECC is huge, five big halls in the main building, plus the Armadillo and the Hydro. There are possibilities that there will be more on at the time. There is a Tutankhamum exhibition coming for a couple of months in July, and I managed to miss March's model railway show again.

I find it odd that the Motel one in Glasgow, by Central station, is so heavily promoting the West Highland Line as a selling point for the hotel, when all West Highland Departures are from Queen Street- daytime from the main station, the sleeper from the Low Level station.

Gerry, I think Crowne Plaza will be the conference hotel, but we are still waiting for the information from the organizers.

MC-Glasgow, thank you for the information. It is good for me to hear this and be prepared about the weather and short daylight hours.

Also, my husband (D) reminded me that we will also have social obligations related to the conference, and want to hang out with friends we are meeting after a long time.

So, here are the results of this exercise so far, and the resulting strategies for trip planning:

1. We need to have appropriate clothes and footwear. We have warm layers, but I need to look into our wet weather gear.
2. D reminds me that he will have some work gear related to the conference to haul around, so he would like to keep changing hotels to a minimum. I think he's trying to tell me that he would like the extra nights in the conference hotel if possible. I'm trying to figure out the conference hotel, but it may be August/September before that information is released.
3. We will have some social get-togethers, and some of them may be impromptu. So flexibility is key.
4. Weather-wise, cold, wet and dark - again, flexibility is key.
5. The daytrips we are interested in do not need advance planning: Stirling, Falkirk, Glengoyne distillery, possibly a Rabbies day tour
6. Edinburgh is expensive. Motel One Princes St - make a cancelable booking ASAP if the price is right.
7. If staying in Edinburgh, would like to visit Galashiels
8. Lots of things to do in Glasgow: museums, University, Mackintosh sites, bookstores (my list is long enough that I think I will not be able to see/do it all)

Thank you to everyone for contributing!!

Glengoyne is easy- the McGills Midland Bluebird X10/X10A to Stirling via the Trossachs stops outside.
It's a bit of a trundle as far as Milngavie (start of the West Highland Way- the bus stops at the ceremonial start sign- but you could get the train that far.I

Buy an all zones Day Rider on the bus for £11.10 currently

That covers all McGills buses from Stirling and Falkirk to Largs- a huge area. It doesn't include McGills beyond Stirling into Edinburgh.

Stuart - is it possible to visit Stirling and Glengoyne in one day then? I think we would not want to do that, but in case time is really short, it would be good to know the possibilities. Thanks for the insights!

Absolutely it is, and then come back to Glasgow on McGills direct X36. That bus trundles to Cumbernauld New Town then suddenly becomes non stop to Glasgow (or of course come back on the train).
I've done a variant of exactly that (stopped off somewhere else than Glengoyne for work reasons) then had quality time in Stirling then back to Glasgow.
I was a bit surprised when we stopped at Glengoyne as I hadn't done my homework properly.

Aah, brilliant! Good to know what is possible, in case we run out of time or good weather. Thanks so much!
And of course, Stirling+Falkirk combination also works, right? I know it will get dark early, but I would love seeing the kelpies lit up!

Regarding rain gear. Here's the rain jacket that I've been traveling with the past 3 years.

Waterproof, super lightweight, packs in its own pocket, hits me about mid thigh and doesn't look like I'm camping. I sized up so I can wear a puffer vest or jacket underneath, if necessary. The only drawback is the hood is huge, so I wear a waterproof baseball cap under the hood if it's raining. I love it, but I don't know why they call it a parka.

Anyway, Eddie Bauer has it on sale for 50% off right now along with other rain jackets.

Yes, Stirling and Falkirk is a combo. In that case by train as the 38 bus Stirling to Falkirk is McGills East Scotland, not West Scotland, so not part of the Day Rover.
There is a separate East Scotland Day Rover.
Personally my opinion is that Stirling is a full day as there is so much beyond just the Castle to see.
To the Kelpies there is a town bus service (or taxi). To understand the Kelpies contextually it is my opinion that you should ideally walk there from Falkirk Town Centre along the canal.

Jean - I am noting your suggestion, thank you. I will start a new thread eventually about gear for the trip.

Stuart - putting all this in my notes. You are (as always) an invaluable source of information. I would love to walk from the town center to the Kelpies along the canal, but not making any promises if the weather is nasty!

To be fair, although the West Highland Line leaves from Queen Street, it connects to the Argyll line, the line from Glasgow Central Low Level, at Dalmuir.

There are usually interesting tours of Glasgow Central,, which should be running at that time of year as well. It is one of the UK's grandest terminal stations and the guides know their stuff.

I've just heard this morning about the Glasgow Requiem Walk- a new self guided walk, as part of the 850th celebrations of the City being given Burgh status.
Meant to be a listen to on your phone as you walk thing but can also be downloaded.

See also this YT video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwgVEQe4AzY

Posted about the walk a few weeks back. It does look like an interesting bit for Glasgow's birthday.

Both the walk and the tour look interesting. Especially like having the indoor option of the Central station tour.