We took my little boy and his cousin here on Sunday for the Classic Car Show and I must say I was…read morereally impressed. The entire area was used well and it was clearly a very popular day out! There were loads of cars, tram journeys on classic tram cars, pipe bands, characters for the kids... Loads of family fun! The queue for food was chaotic but I had packed a picnic just in case (always prepared!) There's a lovely little bit down by the canal that was very quiet and we sat here for lunch practically undisturbed and able to enjoy the view. My hubby is a massive car nut and he loved the different cars that were there. We spent a good amount of time wandering around while he inspected all the cars that took his fancy. My son loved the pipe bands and danced along to these quite the thing! He practically took a run at the minion character who was taking photos with the kids for charity and gave him a massive hug, which genuinely made my day! It was a lovely addition to the day. I'd love to come back here and get to spend a bit of time in the heritage museum. It's a great place to wander around and there's a huge park I'm sure my little one would love to explore. I feel like we've only really scratched the surface of this place and I can't wait to go back.

Lovely big place. If you get a chance try and head along on…read moreone of their many event days eg royal jubilees weddings etc and they have even more to entertain than usual. I epecially like the adorable little rows of workers cottages decorated throughout as differnt eras.

We booked in an experience with the Loch Lomond Birds of Prey Centre for our vacation to Scotland,…read moreand I could not be happier! We booked the "Meet the Birds" experience, which was affordable, and incredible. We were allowed to handle many birds...when I say handle, I mean, we were given gloves and the birds perched on our arms, and a couple of them flew to us. The guides and the owner were absolutely amazing with their knowledge, and care of the birds. The highlight was holding Orla, the Golden Eagle. She was incredible. There was also a flying show, which was really fun to watch. We really enjoyed our experience. As a note to the other visible review, when we were there, there were many open areas without any birds, that clearly do house them, so it appears that they are not always on display/not always tethered. While I am not 100% sure on this, it absolutely appeared to me that the birds were happy, healthy, and well cared for.

I visited the center recently and was disappointed in the quality of the habitats provided for…read morethese birds. The staff I encountered were lovely, and I believe they are providing the highest quality care they believe they are capable of providing. The owls have bigger aviaries with perches and boxes so that they have freedom to choose to be on display or hiding from view. All captive animals deserve to have appropriate habitats. The other birds are missing out on at least two of the Five Freedoms of animal welfare, which were established in the UK in 1965 and have been adopted by many veterinarians, livestock facilities, zoos, as well as the RSPCA. Animals in captivity should have... - Freedom from discomfort by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area - Freedom to express (most) normal behavior by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind I understand the birds get flown on the owner's property and that birds of prey only fly for 5% of their lives. However, being allowed that 5% of flying time and being tethered for most of the rest does not equal high quality of life. Even captive born birds of prey require enrichment to live high quality lives. Some specific things these birds could use: - the ability to perch at their leisure on perches of varying sizes - water - live plants - various substrates on the ground - next boxes/burrows - novel items - the ability to hide from view. Being on display to humans without the ability to escape is incredibly stressful for animals. There are Facebook groups that can connect the staff with other facilities that care for birds of prey so that can get and share ideas to provide the quality of care these birds deserve. They could also simply Google "bird of prey enrichment" and get loads of ideas. There are so many resources and things they could do, and I hope someone there reads this and starts taking small steps to provide a better quality of life for these feathered beauties.

I've been promising myself a visit to Scotland Street School Museum for what seems like forever and…read moreit didn't disappoint. I thought it would be interesting on two levels, one being the architecture and designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh who designed the building and whose trademark touches are everywhere. The second being the museum which showed what school was like way way back in the good old days. While I don't see myself as particularly ancient, it was a shock to the system that much of the school had a familiar feel, including the cloakrooms, the desks complete with chewing gum, and yes even the ink wells! I remember getting in quite an inky mess with those wood and metal quill pens and open ink pots back in the day. We quickly upgraded to fountain pens thankfully. The domestic science room was vast and well equipped and made me want to crack open a cook book and start baking immediately. A cookbook lay open on one of the tables and I wondered aloud if it was the famous Glasgow Cook Book. It was, and whats more it was open at a page of entirely vegetarian friendly recipes. Huzzah! The Glasgow Cookery Book started its life in 1910 as the textbook of The Glasgow and West of Scotland College of Domestic Science and is apparently a much loved and often reprinted tome. I plan to buy one for myself. I thoroughly enjoyed this visit and would recommend it to everyone. The building is stunning, the museum is fun and there was a fabulous wildlife photography exhibition running in one of the upstairs rooms. A nice bonus. Entry was free (donations welcome and well deserved), the staff were enthusiastic and welcoming, and the parking unexpectedly turned out to be free! We had parked across the road in Shields Road Subway Park and Ride. A voucher from the museum staff allowed us to get our parking ticket validated free of charge at the station. Afterwards we caught the subway into Glasgow city centre and only had to pay for the travel and not the parking. How lovely!

As mentioned by a previous reviewer Scotland Street School Museum is a favourite for day trips with…read moreprimary schools. I always found it a little bit eerie as a child but now that I'm older I can appreciate it more. Architecturally this building is beautiful and was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh between 1903 and 1906 and is Scotland's' only museum dedicated to the countries educational history. The main attractions are three classrooms which have been set up exactly how they would have looked during Victorian times, WW2 and the 50s/60s. When you see these dull and dingy little classrooms it certainly makes you appreciate the airy contemporary classrooms of modern times! You can listen to former pupils who attended the school over different decades talk about their time at school covering areas such as discipline, playground games (such as hopscotch and skipping games which you get to have a go at yourself), school uniform and evacuation during WW2. This is a great day out for kids as it is very interactive and it is made very easy for them to imagine what being at school was like for their ancestors. Adults will enjoy it too but will have the added pleasure of appreciating the beauty of the building itself which will most likely escape the attention of the kids!

This annual balloon show takes place in John Hastie park usually for one weekend in August. During…read morethe day theres some stalls and rides for kids and weather dependent balloon rides and demonstrations. We visited on the Saturday night where just after dark the balloons take part in an evening glow - with the light from each firing in time to music. The event and park itself are a bit low - key- with pretty dodgy looking food vans and no toilet facilities, but the balloons themselves are something you don't often get a chance to experience/ see so close up, and for a free event its well worth a visit.

Absolutely beautiful, inside and out. I can say that on the inside I never seen so many different…read morekinds of ferns , but it was very beautiful. Outside was alittle vender which was nice if you wanted some coffee, lots of people just hanging out laying about the grass relaxed

To many people, the elaborate Kibble Palace structure is the Botanic Gardens which is why its…read morerecent rennovation somewhat diluted the atmosphere of the park. Thankfully it is now back, brighter and cleaner, and looks all the better for its time away. The iconic wrought iron-faced glasshouse is an iconic symbol of the West End and houses a variety of plant life and sculptures, as well as a small fish pond which always provides the most entertainment for younger visitors. The intricacies of the plant life on offer here may be lost on me, but a stroll around here never fails to relax you. For that rteason alone it's good to see the palace back in its rightful place.

Creepy Crawlies is the only soft play facility in the town except in the Magnum Leisure Centre but…read morethat would mean going to the harbour area of the town which is a walk of around a mile or so. Crawlies is part of the Mega Mania group and as a result is well run and maintained. On arrival you register the family surname with the number in party for both security and health and safety purposes.The prices are reasonable eg. one parent with two kids will cost £8 for a 2 hour session. Birthday parties can get a private room to celebrate in with food and drink provided in the cost. The kids have quite a range of things to do such as slides,climbing rope ladders,basketball hoops all enclosed in a netted frame so as to keep them safe and reasonably sure of not hurting themselves. If you are ever in Irvine and are looking to keep the kids occupied for a couple of hours then give Creepy Crawlies a try.You wont be disappointed.!!!

One of last years trends for me (before the weather kicked in) was going to as many museums and…read moreparks as possible in and around Glasgow. Partly because its inexpensive and because it's a good way to see Scotland with my Finnish girlfriend. Our National Trust for Scotland memberships served us well in here, a place I haven't been for around 15 years. It's terrifying how much I can still remember. As well as the museum of the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, which houses alot of his own personal belongings, there is a play park and gorgeous woodland garden that is a joy to stroll around. My luck being my luck, it wasn't the warmest day on record so we spent more time indoors than out. If I ever have kids, I will bring them here and tell them stories about when my Dad took me here oh so many years ago. Free to all, with an admission charge for the museum itself. National Trust for Scotland members go free.

Nice looking place at the bottom of Blantyre, The building itself is impressive. With a huge statue…read moreof Livingstone outside being attacked by a lion. however the museum itself inside is quite boring. Certainly not worth the entrance fee. There is some interesting stuff about the abolishing of slavery, and a replica of his tomb. There is also some of Livingstones diaries and medical equipment on display, (and a disturbing looking thing for cutting holes in skulls!!) The tea room is well priced and and has a good menu. A lot of the building seems shut off the the public, like old classrooms and stuff and they could maybe make more of this. His red shirt he wore when he met HM stanley is on display. ( I presume its not a replica!!!) The surrounding area is nice and a lovely park to walk in , but the asking price of £6 is bit steep for what this museum offers if you ask me.

Worth a look, especially in the old servants area downstairs which doesn't cost anything to get…read moreinto and far more interesting than the grander rooms upstairs that have an admission fee. Better a quick visit here and spending more time at the Burrell Collection, elsewhere in the park.

Ventured here when the Burrell Collection was closed due to industrial action. What a find! Very…read morebusy during peak times and not much room to swing the proverbial cat (especially if you bring your wee ones) but the food is lovely. Good choice of a lot of home cooking and not that expensive. Staff are friendly and mostly attentive when they are not busy, busy, busy. Try the home-baked cakes, they are a total indulgence.