Take a touring trip to Glasgow in your caravan

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Beautiful and caravannable city of Glasgow

Why Glasgow is great for caravanning

Also read: Commonwealth Games Top Scottish campsites Free digital issue

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Glasgow remains one of my favourite cities in the UK. Forget the urban myth that it’s an unfriendly place and the food is wretched. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Many of the nearby campsites are great if you want to dip in and out of the city, but if you really want to be in the heart of the action, stay at the Caravan Club’s brilliant Strathclyde Country Park site.

Access is a doddle – straight off the M74, but you will hear the rumble of traffic in the far distance from your pitch.

The Commonwealth Games and more

Strathclyde Country Park itself is a draw, whether or not you are staying at the Club Site. The Triathlon taking place in the loch and on the surrounding network of paths looks set to be unmissable.

However, when the Iron Men and Women have finished racing, that same network of paths remains in place for the more gentle activities of walks with the dog or cycle rides with the kids.

If cycling doesn’t wear out the little ones, M&D’s Amusement Park, also in the grounds of the country park, soon will. There are roller coasters to ride by day, bowling to play by night, and all within easy walking distance of the caravan.

In the heart of the city

Glasgow’s heart is the Clyde. From the city centre, I love walking east along the river to Glasgow Green, which will host the Marathon during the Commonwealth Games. When not lined with cheering crowds and lycra-clad sporting types (who, quite frankly, always look as if they need to eat a few pies), Glasgow Green makes for a fun place to while away a sunny afternoon.

Combine your walk there with a trip to the People’s Palace, which borders the Green, and marvel at ‘Templetons’ across the road. Templetons is no longer the world’s most ornate carpet factory; its glorious façade now conceals flats and offices and, most importantly, West micro-brewery and restaurant (westbeer.com).

There are plenty of places in Glasgow serving terrific food and drink, and West is one of them. I have slaked many a thirst on their superb German-style brews. A stone’s throw away from West in the Merchant City you’ll find another Glasgow institution, Café Gandolfi (cafegandolfi.com).

From food to photography...

The name Gandolfi brings us on to photography, and evening is the time to bring your camera into the city. As the light fades, the bridges over the Clyde light up, rewarding any photographer from an iPhone snapper to a professional tog. Glasgow is an eminently photogenic city, be your chosen style either pretty or gritty.

To the west of the city you’ll find the delightful Botanical Gardens, which is my dog Dougal’s favourite place to meet the locals while I relax outside the café with a slice of something fattening.

...And back to food

When food a tad more substantial is required, the nearby studenty 78 Café Bar (the78cafebar.com) is the place we go. Fraoch (Scottish heather) beer is on draught, and the most amazing hearty vegan food that would tempt even the most carnivorous caravanner is served. You won’t find a mung bean nor a deep-fried Mars bar in sight.