As the tourist season gets going in Scotland, we've been looking at what's on offer right along the river from Braehead to Dumbarton.
On the land
Along the banks of the River Clyde, you'll find some of the
area's most popular tourist attractions, many of them created on
riverside sites which in past decades were used as shipyards or
for heavy industry. Now, regeneration is gradually
transforming the areas around the Clyde, bringing new businesses,
tourism and residential development, new services and jobs to Clyde
Waterfront.
The splendid new Riverside Museum is just a year old,
but in that first year has already established itself as a popular
destination for visitors and local people alike. The impressive
building, designed by Zaha Hadid, has a dramatic location on
the waterfront, where Glasgow's other river, The Kelvin, flows into
the Clyde. The museum provides a unique insight on the story of
Glasgow and its important role in the development of transport and
technology.
The Glasgow Science Centre at
Pacific Quay is one of Scotland's most popular tourist attractions
and a great choice as a family day out. Built on an area of
reclaimed dockland on the South of the river the science centre
offers interactive experiences that inspire, challenge and
engage to increase awareness of science for all in Scotland and
includes an IMAX cinema.
And for a bit of variety and great family entertainment, Xscape is an exciting leisure
facility at Braehead. Ski on real snow at the indoor ski slope
and enjoy the vast array of shops at the Braehead
shopping centre.
Further downriver, the Titan Crane at Clydebank provides an
important connection with the Clyde's shipbuilding past. Take the
lift to the top to survey the area where many of the Clyde's most
famous liners were built and launched. This summer the Titan
Crane becomes Scotland's latest
bungee location, with opportunities to bungee jump from the top
of the crane.
In Dumbarton, you can visit the Scottish Maritime Museum and
explore the Denny Ship Model Experiment Tank. This is
an opportunity to step back into the world of the Victorian ship
designer. Built in 1882 it retains many original features including
the 300 foot long test tank.
Dumbarton
Castle at Dumbarton Rock is an ancient building in an exciting
location, an ideal place to explore some of Scotland's long
history.
On the water
A great way to see the sights and reach many of these tourist
destinations is to take to the water. A regular waterbus service
runs all summer, operated by Clyde Clippers and linking the city
centre with the Glasgow Science Centre, the Riverside Museum, Govan
and Braehead. This year, Clyde Clippers have linked up with Glasgow
City Sightseeing tour buses to offer a joint ticket deal.
There are also two ferries across the river. The Govan Ferry provides a link between Govan
and the Riverside museum.The long-established Renfrew-Yoker Ferry provides another route
across the river, now operated by Clyde Link.
Other options on the river are attractions in themselves. Most
famous of all, the Waverley is the only surviving sea-going
paddlesteamer in the world. Waverley frequently visits the Clyde
and offers a range of excursions.
Have fun on the river and see the sights as well, Seaforce offer sightseeing trips down the
river by powerboat.
Although it is a static visitor attaction The Tall Ship is also on the river. The
Glenlee has recently undergone refurbishment work and is moored
alongside the Riverside Museum. Of the many hundreds of ships
built in Glasgow's shipyards, the Glenlee is one of only five Clyde
built ships still afloat in the world today and she is the only one
of her kind in the UK.
In the air
A seaplane service has been
successfully established on the Clyde, making it possible to fly
direct from Glasgow city centre to Oban and Tobermory, over some of
Scotland's most stunning scenery.