Me and my good lady are driving up to Scotland mid-September to visit my brother, who lives near Nairn. We will be touring Scotland for a week before
going there, and as part of this trip we plan a day trip to Glasgow - we've given up on Edinburgh as it's now just a tourist trap in the
city centre. I've been to Glasgow ages ago, and wouldn't mind seeing it again. I'll even get a phrase book, if necessary! 
However, I don't want to stay in the city, or drive there - what I'd like to do is stay in a nearby town that has a good rail link into the
centre of Glasgow, so that we can leave the car at the B&B/hotel & ride in and out on a day return.
So - can anyone suggest a pleasant location that has B&Bs and/or small hotels, with a good and fairly quick rail link into the city?
It's not so very far to Loch Lomond, and there's a railway station at Balloch, though I've no idea what the frequency of service is like, these days.
I used to stay near Whitburn. There is a train line from East to west, places like Bathgate and linlithgow might be worth a punt. ..
Largs is a beautiful spot to stay and great for ice cream. I am very averse to hanging about for public transport so have no idea of how it is
connected. Well worth exploring for your specific circumstances
Atb Mike
quote:
Originally posted by trextr7monkey
I am very averse to hanging about for public transport so have no idea of how it is connected.
Largs or Helensburgh would be good senic choice both are both a a bit of a hike from Glasgow but have good rail links to Glasgow
If you fancy a short ferry journey Millport a mile by ferry from Largs.
quote:
Originally posted by Sam_68
It's not so very far to Loch Lomond, and there's a railway station at Balloch, though I've no idea what the frequency of service is like, these days.
I recently stayed at Loch Lomond camp site. Excellent place and as said close enough for Glasgow via the bus/train route. Great pub in the village with good affordable food.
I like a stroll at Largs for an ice cream but am not sure I would want to overnight there. Its a bit rough round the edges these days and a bit tatty.
If you do head there the trains are every half hour or so to glasgow central.
I would go for the Loch lomond option. Trains to Balloch are about 45 mins from Glasgow. From memory if you go from Queen Street it's direct. If
you go from central you have to change trains. It's only a 10 min stroll between queen Street and central. If you do stay in Loch lomond continue
up to Arrochar and over the rest and be thankful. It's a nice drive and my evening blat road of choice when I had the kit.
Other option would be Stirling area. Good trains and nice part of the country.
[Edited on 18/8/16 by sdh2903]
Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll give them all some thought. 
The garden rooms edinburgh is highly recommended by me. Great value and you may be lucky and get a vacancy. Breakfast in the Bluebird Cafe down the
road is an experience not to be missed. Google it to see if Im right
Cheers
Stay up near lomond. Personally though, I'd rather drive in - parking is cheap and easy - I drive in daily because the 1hr buses from our village go round every possible place on the way and only drop me at the wrong side of town, making the multiple bus journey more expensive than fuel and parking.
Well, I have now booked a place in Balloch, just a short walk from the station. I'm more than happy to leave the car and travel by train to
Glasgow, as the day before we'll have driven over 430 miles (about 7 hours, not including the pee breaks) to get to the B&B!
Thanks for all the help.