Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 29 on 25/10/2006.

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Getting out and about

In the third part of our series looking at how you can get around Scotland by train, Mark Nicholls uses Glasgow as a base

As a vibrant cultural city, Glasgow has much to detain the visitor.

The reopened Kelvingrove Museum, the architectural fascinations of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, a transport museum, the Hunterian Gallery, shops, theatres, museums and atmosphere in abundance.

But as Scotland’s second city, it is a prime location from which to explore a large tract of southern, western and central Scotland by train with good connections and stations at many points of interest.

Whether that is the coast; down to the English border at Gretna or Dumfries; racing at Ayr; inland to Falkirk and its fascinating boat lift; or historic Stirling, the train is a fine way of getting around.

Using First ScotRail train services you can visit some of the most famous spots in the vicinity of Glasgow. Trains depart regularly from Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations.

Sitting virtually mid-way between Glasgow and Edinburgh, half an hour from each, Falkirk has some fascinating attractions.

There are Roman remains from the Antonine Wall, the magnificent Callander House and park and the engineering marvel that is the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first revolving boat lift.

Measuring 115 feet, The Falkirk Wheel is used to connect the Forth & Clyde and Union canals in central Scotland.

Constructed to 21st century, state-of-the-art engineering, it was designed to replace a series of lock gates built in the 19th century and is the showpiece of the Millennium Link project where coast-to-coast navigation of th.....

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By Mark Nicholls

Section : Scotland by Train

Page number : 60