With sunny weather ahead of us here in Glasgow we’ve come to realise that there may just be one thing that our city is sorely lacking: sandy beaches.
For sure you can enjoy the sun in Kelvingrove Park or the Botanic Gardens, or any one of the many great green jewels of Glasgow - but no summer is complete without at least one trip to the beach.
Just a short jaunt to the west coast via train, bus or car can give you a litany of beaches to choose while there are many seaside and lochside towns and villages that are a short distance from Glasgow.
Here’s our list of the top 12 best beaches towns to visit near Glasgow for your next sunny day trip.
5. Irvine beach - 40 mins
Looking at Irvine you could hardly tell it's a new town - the place is picturesque and the beachfront is undeniably one of our favourites on the West Coast. Make sure to check out Gro café while you're their for some friendly service, lovely wee dogs, and some cracking scran at either lunch or dinner hours. | James - stock.adobe.com Photo: James - stock.adobe.com
6. Troon - 40m
Troon, old reliable. A regular summer destination for Glaswegians, you can get there in just 40 minutes by train. | Wikimedia Commons
7. Kilbride Bay - 2h30m
The beach is remote enough to be quiet with room for everyone to enjoy.” I’ve been, and I’ve checked, and I can confirm that this half-mile of south-facing sand — with its tide line of sea shells, and Arran like a postcard nine miles across the Sound of Bute — is spot-on. And check out the Bothy at Kilbride Farm — a café a mile inland that was closed when I visited just after sunrise, but is highly spoken of in these parts. | Visit Scotland
8. Millport - 1hr 30m
Millport is a stunning town on the Isle of Cumbrae and has been a holiday destination for Glaswegians for generations - and for good reason. Check out the stunning beaches that circle the isle, you can even ride a bike around the entire isle in about half an hour. | Canva/Getty Images