Shawlands (0.5 miles)

Glasgow's hotel scene has been changing over the last few years. Large hotel groups have been building in the city centre and this has meant that some of the smaller hotels on the southside have sold up to make way for residential developments. The pubs in Shawlands have therefore attracted more people which in turn has attracted more pubs and restaurants ! All of the pubs and restaurants are good but I would recommend restaurants Arigos and Bella Napoli. For pubs - Tusk and The Granary are good for a start and they also sell food. Shawlands also has a variety of shops and as mentioned elsewhere, there is large Morrisons supermarket which has a post office and petrol station etc. For Saturday football fans, Pollok Juniors' ground is next to Morrisons.

 

Newlands (0.5 miles)

What can I say, we live here so it must be good ! Newlands is basically a residential area surrounding Newlands Park. The park has a small pond and a little play area for young children. There's a separate park known as the "doggie park" which is self explanatory. Newlands Tennis Club is just off Langside Drive and at the junction of Merrylee Road and Clarkston Road there's a pub called The Meadows.

 

 

Pollok Park (2 miles)

Probably best to take a taxi to Pollok Park which houses the Burrell Collection  and Pollok House. The guide books will tell you all about William Burrell and the building which houses his fascinating collection of artifacts from all around the world. Pollok House and its grounds were gifted to the city by owner John Maxwell in 1966. It is well worth a visit and there's a pleasant walk down by the river to the stables where the giant Clydesdale horses are kept. Pollok House is a venue for wedding receptions these days.  The park also has a photogenic collection of highland cattle to remember your visit. Cowglen and Haggs Castle golf courses are adjacent to Pollok Park.

 

 

 

Cathcart (2 miles)

This area started as a small village many years ago and expanded when the railway was built towards the end of the 1800's. Weirs of Cathcart is a significant Engineering company making desalination pumps. Scottish Power also has its HQ at Cathcart. Two buildings still exist that owe their origins to one of the owners of the mills that lined the River Cart in days gone by. William Couper commissioned and gifted the "Couper Institute" to the residents of Cathcart. The building has a public library and a hall for public performances. William Couper's private residence was Holmwood House - a fantastic example of Alexander "Greek" Thomson's style. It is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to the public. A short walk along the river from Holmwood House will take you to Snuff Mill Bridge and the old blacksmith's shop (now a pub) dating back to around 1700. 

 

 

Mount Florida (2.5 miles)

This area is a continuation of Cathcart which encompasses the "Victoria Infirmary" and Hampden Park - Scotland's national soccer stadium and home for the foot-soldiers of the "Tartan Army".  Hampden now houses an excellent Museum of Football which traces the origins of the game in Scotland. The "Vicky" has a convenient casualty department for those days when there's an "old firm" match between Glasgow's two major football teams Rangers (Blue) and Celtic (Green). If asked "What football team do you support ?" the prudent answer is usually Partick Thistle !

 

 

 

Giffnock (3-4 miles)

This area extends south from residential Newlands until the start of the main A77 towards Ayr. The area is a mixture of residential housing, shops and restaurants (recommend Andiamo's) but note two big card dealerships (Mercedes and BMW), a rugby club (GHA) and a Greens Health club. On the edge of Giffnock is Eastwood Park which contains a public Leisure Centre with a swimming pool as well as Eastwood House which is used for wedding receptions. A public golf course (Deacon's Bank) is not far from Giffnock. Beyond Giffnock are the residential areas of Whitecraigs and Newton Mearns.

 

Clarkston (3-4 miles)

Travelling up Clarkston road from Cathcart through Muirend (a smaller Somerfields supermarket) past Netherlee (Derby Cafe - art deco great coffee) past Williamwood golf course will take you to Clarkston. This is essentially a shopping area that acts as a nodal point from where you can branch out to the conservation village of Eaglesham (try the Eglinton Arms) or Busby and beyond that, the new town of East Kilbride. There's a Museum of Country Life at Kittochside on the way to East Kilbride.

 

Barrhead (4-5 miles)

This area is gradually being upgraded with new housing and a leisure centre. Heading out beyond Barrhead will start to take you down towards the seaside resort of Largs which is still a popular day out from Glasgow. This would usually include a boat trip across to the isle of Cumbrae and its "capital" Millport. Instead of Largs, taking another route from Barrhead will take you to the nearby town of Paisley.