Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond, Scotland

This morning I collected guests from Argyll Hotel in Glasgow and then headed north-west visiting the following sites:

• Loch Lomond where we stopped to photograph a snow-capped Ben Lomond.
• Ret and be Thankful scenic pass.
• Inveraray Castle and town on Loch Fyne.
• Oban
• The prehistoric linear cemetery and stone circle site at Kilmartin Glen. First we visited the museum and visitor centre.
• Carved 14th/15th century medieval gravemarkers at Kilmartin Church burial ground.
• Prehistoric rock art at Achnabreck
• Dunadd fort at foot of Kilmartin Glen
• Oban,where we are staying tonight.

Overall, a good day aided by reasonably dry weather.

In the evening, guest John gave a demonstration of bagpipe playing aty a local pub in Oban.

Rest and be Thankful, Argyll, Scotland

Inveraray Castle, Argyll, Scotland

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe, Scotland

Kilmartin Glen, Prehistoric Site, Scotland

Prehistoric Rock Art, Achnabreck, Scotland

View from Dunad, Kilmartin Glen, Scotland

Neilston Pipe Band, Neilston Show, Scotland

This afternoon, I visited Neilston Agricultural Show. Neilston is a pleasant small town situated S.W.of Glasgow.

The event was very well patronised with what appeared to be thousands of visitors. Events included show-jumping, sheep dog trials, cattle and sheep judging, tractors, family pets, the Neilston Pipe Band and much more. The event was aided by dry, sunny weather.

It was here that I connected with my two guests and then embarked on a Scotland tour with focus on personal ancestry. I am writing this at our first overnight, in Annan near the Scottish Borders.

Show jumping in progress.

Show Jumping, Neilston Agricultural Show, Scotland

Prizes on Display at Neilston Show, Scotland

Prize Cattle

Prize Bulls, Neilston Agricultural Show, Scotland

Equine prizes.

Prize Giving, Neilston Agricultural Show, Scotland

Commonwealth Games 2014, Glasgow

• Seventeen sports comprising: Athletics, Aquatics, Boxing, Badminton, Weight Lifting, Lawn Bowls, Hockey, Rugby 7s, Squash, Netball, Cycling, Shooting, Wrestling, Gymnastics, Judo, Table Tennis and Triathlon.
• The Games will be staged in three clusters: East End, South Side and West End.
• Cost estimated at GBP500m (about USD800m). 
• 6500 athletes.
• The biggest multi-cultural sports event hosted in Scotland.
• Legacy will be important.

Clearly, the Games will result in a surge of visitor numbers. Already Glasgow attracts some 3.0m visitors per annum.  

Glasgow can offer a wide range of attractions and sites including Roman Era, Picts, Medieval, Industrial history, Art, Architecture and Design. See this blog post for an overview.