Love it! This is a regular haunt for me in the winter, when it's free, but it's included in the…read moreNational Trust membership if you're there for a summer visit. This is a stately Georgian home that was maintained in the spirit of stewardship--like the earl of Grantham on Downton Abbey. The Maxwell family lovingly and carefully curated the place so that every addition, change, piece of art and situation of the furniture would compliment and reflect upon what already exists. Each room is rich with detail and a wonderful combination of magnificent beauty that still feels like the kind of place you'd want to come home to. The cafe is quite good, if a wee bit pricey. There's also a regular and a food-only gift shop. Definitely make your way over to this other fabulous bit of art, history and architecture when you're in Pollock Park.

As a member of The National Trust for Scotland, my recent trip to Pollok Park inevitably included…read morePollok House. That being said, it is free this time of year anyhow and this was reflected in the high number of people there. It was a gorgeous house, with a maze of rooms and an impressive garden that has been very well kept. Some of the paintings and art inside were suitably impressive, with recent pieces and some vintage paintings on huge canvasses. I couldn't help but feel like I was navigating my way around the house in Cluedo, looking for a candlestick and corpse in the Library. There were some really elegant pianos. The books in the Library were numbering in the thousands, and all concerning historical Scotland. The highlight for me was standing in the very room where initial meetings were held that ultimately led to the formation of The National Trust for Scotland. There was also a packed cafe and funky giftshop that included paper made out of elephant dung. Never seen that before. Not sure if I wanted to though, to be fair. It wont be on MTV Cribs, but it's a nice big house that offers a nice addition to a stroll around Pollok Country Park.

One of last years trends for me (before the weather kicked in) was going to as many museums and…read moreparks as possible in and around Glasgow. Partly because its inexpensive and because it's a good way to see Scotland with my Finnish girlfriend. Our National Trust for Scotland memberships served us well in here, a place I haven't been for around 15 years. It's terrifying how much I can still remember. As well as the museum of the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, which houses alot of his own personal belongings, there is a play park and gorgeous woodland garden that is a joy to stroll around. My luck being my luck, it wasn't the warmest day on record so we spent more time indoors than out. If I ever have kids, I will bring them here and tell them stories about when my Dad took me here oh so many years ago. Free to all, with an admission charge for the museum itself. National Trust for Scotland members go free.

Nice looking place at the bottom of Blantyre, The building itself is impressive. With a huge statue…read moreof Livingstone outside being attacked by a lion. however the museum itself inside is quite boring. Certainly not worth the entrance fee. There is some interesting stuff about the abolishing of slavery, and a replica of his tomb. There is also some of Livingstones diaries and medical equipment on display, (and a disturbing looking thing for cutting holes in skulls!!) The tea room is well priced and and has a good menu. A lot of the building seems shut off the the public, like old classrooms and stuff and they could maybe make more of this. His red shirt he wore when he met HM stanley is on display. ( I presume its not a replica!!!) The surrounding area is nice and a lovely park to walk in , but the asking price of £6 is bit steep for what this museum offers if you ask me.

Once upon a time, The Ramshorn was a church. The surrounding cemetery is well worth a visit, and…read morenot just for Goths: it makes for a relaxing break from the bustle of the city centre. Now the home of Strathclyde University's theatre group, it stages frequent week long run of traditional plays, from Anouilh's Antigone to contemporary melodramas. The casts are always well rehearsed, the scenery minimal and evocative and the direction crisp. In a city filled with theatres, The Ramshorn stands out as a place for scripted drama. It has a very pleasant bar, which only opens at the same time as the performances.

Arguably the most striking building in this area of the city, the Ramshorn's long association with…read morethe University of Strathclyde means it is primarily known for its student productions. However, don't let that put off (just kidding, most are actually very good), the Ramshorn, or more accurately, its graveyard, is also a surprisingly good spot to eat your lunch on a sunny day and is frequently very busy. It's always worth keeping an eye on what's coming up in the theatre as a night here is a very pleasant experience - particularly when the lovely little bar is open.

Worth a look, especially in the old servants area downstairs which doesn't cost anything to get…read moreinto and far more interesting than the grander rooms upstairs that have an admission fee. Better a quick visit here and spending more time at the Burrell Collection, elsewhere in the park.

Ventured here when the Burrell Collection was closed due to industrial action. What a find! Very…read morebusy during peak times and not much room to swing the proverbial cat (especially if you bring your wee ones) but the food is lovely. Good choice of a lot of home cooking and not that expensive. Staff are friendly and mostly attentive when they are not busy, busy, busy. Try the home-baked cakes, they are a total indulgence.

Of course I love this place. It's the home Partick Thistle. However as a stadium, like football…read moreit's a tale of two halves. If you are fortunate enough to be in the south facing Jackie Husband stand you'll have a great experience with uninterupted views of the park and modern stadium facilities. If you are in the North facing "main stand" it's like a trip back to the dark ages with little leg room, obstructed views and primitive facilities.

I went to Glasgow Uni for four years and I didn't notice this place until 2014, eight years after…read moreI'd graduated! It's hidden away inside the Zoology department but is open to the public Monday to Friday. The museum one large room full of taxidermy, insects, birds, shells, coral and lots of other things. Like a giant sea turtle suspended from the ceiling. There are also a few live specimens so look out for those. I can imagine this being a great setting for a B movie about an escaped tarantula. It does look and feel like nothing has changed since the 50s! Definitely an interesting place for a look around if you're nearby or visiting the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery and of course if you have an interest in natural history.

Small museum that you should visit in tandem with St. Mungo…read more This small religious museum is located just opposite of the imposing, intimidating St. Mungo (Glasgow) Cathedral, and it's worth a visit if you're in the area. There is more to read than actually to see at this unassuming museum, but if you want to know more about the different religions of the world, you might actually learn something here. Exhibits are modest indeed though. My recommendation would be to go the museum first, then the cathedral, then the city of the dead.

This may sound like an odd thing to say but the very existence of this museum is inspiring to me…read more In a world where religion can seem to divide people and spark misunderstandings, this museum does well to represent the history and principles guiding all variety of religions. Free to enter and easy to walk around, there are exhibits to represent and teach about different cultures, representations of life and religious backgrounds. There are colourful displays, historic tributes and artistic designs on show. With something to interest anyone and homage to all walks of life, everyone should be able to appreciate the great value of this museum, what it has to offer and what it represents.

Our newest artwork here in Kilmarnock, I went down to see it two days ago. Sandbed Street, beside…read morethe river in the town centre, used to be a bit of a mess but the council has now cleaned it up and started making other improvements. This striking mural is very eye-catching and is the work of Frank Carty of nearby Newmilns. The idea came from town centre manager, Fiona Nicolson, as part of the plans to regenerate the area. The four local heroes depicted are triathlete Gregor Grant of Kilmarnock, karate expert David Coulter (Knockintiber), swimmer Alan Jardine (Hurlford) and boccia player Jamie McCowan (Dundonald). All four men carried the Olympic torch through the town recently. It's certainly a huge improvement and I hope that more murals and other ways to make this old street, and indeed the whole area, more attractive, are in the pipeline.