Why people should Book Direct.

Saving money and supporting UK Tourism.

Significantly so here in Glasgow.

This extremely informative BBC News South East story kindly detailed by Paul King Saltcote Place

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Visit Loch Lomond

Why not get out of the city for a while to Loch Lomond which is only a 30 minute drive away? The beautiful loch meanders across the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, which is flanked by picturesque villages, compelling countryside, dramatic peaks and many adrenaline fuelled activities! Check out our suggestions below to get a taste of just what’s on offer!

Cruise Loch Lomond Boat Tours & Watersports
Loch Lomond’s shoreline spans 153 km, so with plenty of little islands sprinkled throughout the loch, you could see the sights with Cruise Loch Lomond who operate customised cruises from several departure spots around the Loch. Tarbet, on the western shore, gives the ideal setting off spot for discovering the breathtaking fjord northern region of the Loch. The guided tour cruises afford you the opportunuty to access remote scenery on the eastern shore, creating the perfect setting for you to tranquilly enjoy all the Loch has to offer.

Balloch Castle Country Park
Loch Lomond’s stunning country park offers panoramic views across the Loch’s glittering waters, and extends across 200 acres of captivating lawns, decorative woodlands, a walled garden with glorious flowers and plants, nature walkways and guided walks. A superb spot for a picnic, with picnic benches dotted around.

Loch Lomond Seaplanes
For a tour with a difference and an utterly thrilling experience, soar high on a seaplane around the shores of Loch Lomond ! A first class seat and view on this seaplane will amaze you! Travel to secluded parts of the extraordinary National Park and Scottish West Coast which can only be experienced by air tour. Taking off and landing on the loch is a very special way to enjoy Loch Lomond. Highly recommended!

4×4 Adventures Scotland, Luss
Get ready for this soul-stirring off-road escapade in a powerful Land Rover Defender or Discovery as you get to grips with rough, sheer countryside high on the Scottish hills enveloping Loch Lomond with glorious views. Knowledgeable and friendly tour guides are there with fascinating facts about the region. Whatever you’re in the mood for – a lovely stroll in the Park, a
high-flying trip by air or land or a water based frolic, Loch Lomond is the day trip which will create lasting memories.

A Glass of the Good Stuff

Ah, the good old amber liquid. Or whisky, our national drink! It’s part of the backbone of Scottish culture and a heritage we really love to share with visitors to our beautiful country. Although most of our whisky distilleries are based in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, you can still get a wee dram during your stay in Glasgow. The Ambassador Hotel is ideal to access city centre locations or for driving out onto the open road if you’d like to hire a car and look beyond the city limits in pursuit of our most prized beverage. 

Read on to see our top choices for whisky adventures in and around Glasgow – cheers!

Clydeside Distillery

With stunning views of the river after an impressive 10 million-pound refurbishment of a one-time pump house, the Clydeside Distillery is the showpiece of this month’s recommendations. If you would like a walk, then the locale is a vigorous one hour from our residence and, during a spring visit, the milder Scottish weather will make your appreciation for a wee dram (small drink) at the end , even more rewarding. During a tour – starting from just £15 – you’ll learn about the city’s intriguing relationship with whisky and the distillery’s own journey to it’s everlasting home. 

Whisky and Wallace

Tartan Tours Scotland organise private excursions for groups of up to six people and you don’t want to miss this tour! Following the trail of significant milestones in the life of William Wallace, you’ll visit Dumbarton Castle and the Wallace Monument, before capping off the day with a tour at Auchentoshan Distillery and needless to say, tasting their whisky!

Strathclyde Distillery

There can’t be that many cities around the globe which can brag of a working distillery in the heart of their city – but then Glasgow is a unique city. We have our priorities right, and a good bevvy (drink) in the company of friends, founded on our shared legacy and love for the land is very close to the top of our list. Strathclyde is now part of the renowned Chivas Brothers brand and, surprisingly, frequently goes unobserved by Sunday strollers making their way through Glasgow Green, where the perimeter of the distillery sits opposite! 

DIY Tour

This one’s a bit out there, but we think the best way to get into the swing of things with the tradition of whisky drinking is to go out for a drink of the amber nectar in the neighbouring bars and pubs. Try the Ben Nevis for old time Scottish magic, Bon Accord to choose from a selection of over 300 whiskies, or Dram in the West End for a great variety of malts coupled with an assorted line-up of entertainment with comedy, quiz nights and live music. 

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Glasgow on A Budget

Travelling to a UK city on holiday can rapidly turn into a rather expensive pursuit. With pound sterling still a reasonably strong currency, many of our international visitors really feel the pinch on their wallets when they realise the expense of holidaying here. At the Ambassador Hotel we have regular discount deals (see our blogs pages for this month’s offer), making your stay just that bit more economical. To give you a hand though, we’ve compiled a list of stuff to see and do to save you some extra cash. 

Grab a Voucher

The Ambassador Hotel has close connections with various tourist attraction providers all over the city. One of the most popular requests from our guests is for a city sightseeing tour. It’s the best way to see Glasgow’s high points and we’re delighted to give our guests money-off vouchers to help keep your costs down. You can also drop in on the Scottish Tourist Board hub on Buchanan Street for even more discounted tickets. 

Free Attractions

Glasgow is crammed full with free activities. The city libraries hold regular children’s workshops which anyone can take part in. We suggest getting yourself along to the Mitchell Library (the city’s main library) to take in its impressive architecture and jam-packed line-up of events. Outdoors, visit the West End’s Botanic Gardens. Totally free to all visitors, you’ll be transfixed by a journey through the planet’s most exotic plants and flowers by way of a series of established greenhouses. 

Museums are the order of the day for a cheap day out too. Both the Kelvingrove Museum and Museum of Transport have free entry and of course intriguing exhibits. The Hunterian Museum is also deserving of a visit but be warned, with an anatomy theme running throughout the museum’s history, it might be a bit on the gruesome side!

Complementary WiFi

Walking is an excellent way to explore the city, but nobody wants to lose their bearings in a foreign land! Using a map app on your phone can be a tremendous help, and free city centre Wifi helps make it possible. It’s simple to access – just connect to BT Wireless, allow the webpage to load and verify you’re online, and off you go! 

Most of cafes, bars, restaurants and museums provide free browsing too, so remember to ask for any passwords that you might need. 

So, for low-cost but high-quality accommodation, get on the official Ambassador Hotel website, where you’ll find the latest deals and best rates guaranteed – we look forward to welcoming you to our great city!

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Staying Healthy

Spring is here and hot on it’s heels will be summer, so many of us will be stepping up our physical fitness routines in an effort to look our best when the weather permits us to shed some layers of clothing. Spring break will see us nibbling away at those irresistible chocolate eggs, hitting the most fitness-conscious of us hard. 

Keeping this in mind, there’s nothing to stop you getting back on your healthy living schedule as soon as your holidays come around, and a visit to the Ambassador hotel doesn’t have to upset the status quo. Our fair city is famous for its diverse food scene, and while a three-course dinner in many Glasgow restaurants may require some extra gym time, we are in the know about a few obscure gems that won’t see you going off the rails quite so dramatically! Read on to see our pick of the bunch of healthy restaurants in Scotland’s largest city. 

Fit Food Bistro

Set inside Tiso’s flagship Glasgow store, Fit Food Bistro has its origins firmly set within the notion that healthy food should still be delicious. Wholesome soup, energizing breakfasts and copious amounts of vitamin-rich smoothies, make this eatery a prime spot for health-conscious shoppers looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat mid-spree. Plus, the friendly folks at Fit Food think there’s nothing wrong with indulging yourself with a slice of cake from time to time!

KCAL Kitchen

Walking through the city centre with an empty tummy can be tricky when you’re trying not to give in to temptation and stay on the side of healthy. Luckily, KCAL Kitchen saves the day every time. The West Regent Street café’s approach is nutritious food made delicious, and with a whole menu devoted to dessert, we’re really impressed! Check out their Muscle Builder burger for the ultimate protein boost, or choose an egg based breakfast from their selection of omelettes and eggs on toast to pep up your day. 

Picnic

Serving up fresh grub for all the animal-lovers out there, Picnic is 100% vegan and proud of it. The lovely staff serve a wide variety of smoothies and juices, burgers, baked sweet potato, super salads and, needless to say – a mouth-watering dessert menu. 

Singl-End

How can we put Singl-End on our list when they have an entire trestle table jam-packed with cakes, we detect you thinking? Well, obviously, the cakes aren’t compulsory (but they’re oh-so divine!) and this bakehouse has more to tempt you than just sweet treats. Order the vegan breakfast, eggs on toast or freshly prepared sandwiches to
please your taste buds and your healthy diet. 

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Everything You Need To Know…

If you’re from out of town, it can be tricky to know what’s on offer in a strange city. Glasgow folk who live here will always recommend the West End to new arrivals. With its old fashioned, sandstone tenement apartments, tree-lined River Kelvin and the Harry Potter-like University of Glasgow turrets, the place has a lot going for it. The West End is a blend of professionals and students and has a raw cosmopolitan feel. You’ll encounter park yoga, alternative dance lessons and book groups, as well as some interesting clubs and a whole gamut of award-winning restaurants. It’s a highbrow setting, with a large emphasis on education and enjoying life to the full. Pore over our selection of favourite West End spots and pastimes. 

Alternative Movement at In the Moment

Just sitting on the edge of the West End, in the Moment is a movement and dance hub with a difference. Tai Chi, Somatic Movement, Biodanza, Five Rhythms, Self Love Club and more fill up the timetable. If you’re curious as to what some of those are, have a look at their website for class descriptions and go along with an an open mind. We promise you’ll emerge feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and ultra
relaxed.

Botanic Gardens

The time-honoured attractions are the best and the Botanic Gardens are only a few minutes’ walk from our door. You’ll be in awe at long-established glasshouses (complete with koi carp pond!) displaying a broad range of weird and wonderful plants from far-flung destinations across the globe – some as big as houses! There are seating benches outside for basking in the sunshine, or why not bring a picnic blanket and stretch out with a few nibbles. Indulge in a coffee and cake from North Star Café just a few steps away and enjoy a chilled out afternoon.

Byres Road and Ruthven Lane

We’ve put these two together because the word on the street is – shopping! From bookshops (old and new – from Waterstones and an interestingly-stocked Oxfam bookshop across the road) to vintage vinyl, vintage clothes from yesteryear and high street brands like Oliver Bonas and Fat Face. Go easy on the credit card though, or you could find yourself spending a bit more than you planned!

Food, Glorious Food

When you’re not wandering along the River Kelvin or charity shop bargain hunting, spoil yourself with some tasty food from one of the countless and diverse restaurants and cafes the West End has to offer. The University Café is a charming vestige of the 1930s and still has many of it’s original fixtures and fittings for you to marvel at. Plus, their home-made ice cream is legendary! Transport yourself to Japan via Glasgow at Bar Soba, and sample South-east Asian street food dishes or go upmarket with nouveau cuisine at Ubiquitous Chip.

Medical History at the Huntarian

Little known outside of the medical community and historian circles, William Hunter was the forefather of the study of obstetrics and his research and ground-breaking techniques have saved the lives of literally millions of women and babies. Discover facts about his amazing life and work for free at Glasgow University’s Hunterian Museum – beware, some of the exhibits are not for the squeamish!