Paisley town centre is definitely not what it used to be with thriving shops and lovely cafes to…read moreeat in. But now everywhere you look you can see pound shops, discount shops, charity shops and phone shops on every corner while more shops close down. Now I am not putting a bad name to discounted shops as I do like to frequent them but it really is a shame to see somewhere that I spent my teenage years slowly whittle away. The town centre does have the every day shops that you need if you stay in the Paisley area and they are slowly cleaning the town centre up but what I do have to say is that the architecture in this little town is breathtaking and definitely is a place for history.

What was once a really great and thriving town centre, is now a gathering place for low lives who,…read moresadly, out-number the decent people of this town. I've got more chance of being mugged that I do of finding a decent shop. Even M&S has become an outlet - as another reviewer already commented - so you have to go to Breahead for the nearest M&S store. I fear that Paisley town centre will never return to its former glory. It's a great shame that it's been allowed to get into this state.

I agree with the previous reviewer wholeheartedly. Ross Priory is one of the most overlooked…read morebuildings in Scotland. It is absolutely incredible. A must for visitors to Glasgow. Even the drink prices at the bar are reasonable. The only problem is, the priory is not anywhere near a train station. So you bring your car or get a train to Balloch then a taxi.

Beautiful architecture, a perfect setting, and several guest rooms make this a sublime wedding…read morevenue on Loch Lomond.

Rainbow Bridge is an integral feature of the Art Park. Located within the grounds of House For An…read moreArt Lover, the park was completed in 2008. I dig bridges, and few more so than this one. I've spent many an hour playing on it with my nieces and nephew - the kids love the perspex, multicoloured panels - they rotate and provide a great opportunity to play hide and seek. I'd highly recommend a visit - especially to burn off some of the kids energy!

These spectacular Italianate buildings (splendid both inside and out) were finished in 1886 and the…read morebeautiful Victoria Tower (75m in height) can be seen dominating the skyline from many parts of the town. Unfortunately, the Municipal Buildings remain uncompleted to this day as a local man, Robert Cowan, refused to sell his business in front of the tower. As a result, the shop was inserted into one corner but was destroyed during a bombing raid in 1941, leaving the unusual effect still seen today. The bricks are different to the rest and this area has become known as 'Cowan's Corner'. These days the Municipal Buildings include the Town Hall and various Council offices. There are a few parking spaces nearby but it's very difficult to find a space. However, there is a large public car park only about 5 minutes walk away.

Newark Castle is very well preserved and stewards are always very welcoming and helpful. The…read morehistory is told in the upstairs gallery and it is a very interesting history indeed. One of the bedrooms has original wood panelling bed recesses which show grafitti of the time carved into them. It's quite shocking and sad that graffiti of this time can be found daubed on the outside castle walls! Inside the castle scottish music is played in the grand hall which gives a sense of what it was like at the time. The castle is reputed to be haunted - ask at the gift shop and I'm sure the steward will tell you the whole story as well as show you some seriously spooky pictures!

This impressive and striking old building is a familiar sight in this part of the city. One of the…read morehistoric Merchant City buildings, it was built in the 1920s and designed by A. Graham Henderson as part of the redevelopment of Glasgow Cross. It has a very grand façade fronted by two large Ionic columns and featuring some interesting scupture by Benno Schotz. These days (rather a shame I think) the ground floor is simply a large furniture store. It's found at Glasgow Cross between London Road and the Gallowgate in the southeast corner of the Merchant City.

The Weavers Cottage is a National Trust for Scotland property. If not a member, it is still very…read morecheap entrance fee. It is well worth it as it really is a little time capsule and is so well loved and looked after by the stewards that their enthusiasm is infectuous. There is a real loom and spinning wheel which the stewards work for you (in period costume)and you are given the opportunity to try it out too. Nothing has changed in the cottage since the 1800s - furniture is all authentic. It really is remarkably well preserved. It is also very child friendly. Kids are given treasure trove sheets to go through as they walk around. It has a lovely garden at the back to sit in on a summer's day. A great day out for all the family.

This is a very striking medieval landmark which you'll find at Glasgow…read moreCross on the east side of the Merchant City area. It is actually all that remains of a larger building which comprised a debtors' prison, the town clerk's office and the council hall. It was built in 1636 and stands 7 storeys and 126 feet high, being an extremely prominent landmark within the city. This area was, at one time, the centre of Glasgow (now considered to be George Square owing to the first railroad terminus being built at Queen Street). On the steeple you'll see some of the oldest sculpture to be found in Glasgow, including a shield which portrays the city's coat of arms. It has recently been renovated and repaired at a cost of £200,000, and I think it looks quite beautiful! I know that, at one time, it was possible for tourists to view the interior (and views from the top!) but I can't find out if it's allowed today. Perhaps someone will tell me, or I'll ask at a tourist information centre.

Did you know that in Glasgow we have the tallest tower in Scotland? And that it's also the only…read morebuilding in the world capable of fully rotating itself? (#Guinessrecordandall) No? Me neither. That is, before I had a science-loving friend from Poland visit this weekend and he insisted we go check this tower out. At first, we thought it was closed. To be fair, it does look closed from the outside. The reason is, of course, there is a secret passage from the Glasgow Science Centre. Whoa, I know. We managed to find this passage and got to go up. We were quite lucky, because it was a sunny bright day and the last day of the tower being open before it closes for winter. Good timing, huh? As I wasn't really expecting much apart from a pretty view, I was pretty impressed. A tower that can fully rotate? And it only takes a single 6kW motor (equivalent of 6 microwaves, ha!)? Cool! The view from the top was great and we were able to see quite a lot, due to the nice weather. The staff was really nice and ready to answer all of our questions ("What are those rotundas on each side of Clyde for? And "Why isn't the tunnel between them open anymore?" - Learning new exciting facts about Glasgow every day!) and seemed to really enjoy their job. I'm so glad I went, I love to explore new places!

Like so many people, I thought the tower was still closed. This is due to when it first opened…read moremany years ago they had to close it shortly after due it being built on ground that was subsiding. Thankfully that's sorted now. It was a lovely sunny day so I decided to head up. You can pay to just go up the tower, I thought you could only do it as part of the science centre ticket. You head in through the science centre, get your ticket and head towards the cafe. You then head down a ramp to the base of the tower. I had booked my ticket but only had to wait about 5 minutes before my tour began, there was lots of info to read up on whilst you waited. The tour started, the tour guide explained all the the facts about the tower and how it is the only free standing tower that can rotate 360 degrees in the world (Guinness book of records certificate in the wall to prove it) the tower is 127 metres tall. After all the information, we entered the glass lift, the lift is small and can only fit 6 people at a time. The lift takes about 2 minutes to get to the top. Once at the top you get out into the pod. The views are amazing and on a clear day you can see as far as the hills. As it was sunny the pod heats up quickly, so you don't want to hang about too long. I'd say that the full trip takes about 30 minutes and is well worth a visit.