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.
9. Balloch beach - 35 mins
Another favourite for Glaswegians in recent years, Balloch is a great spot to enjoy the sun on the shores of Loch Lomond. | Loch Lomond Leisure
10. Helensburgh beach - 45 mins
Helensburgh Beach is well-known for being one of the most picturesque and most-visited beaches near Glasgow. | Shutterstock
11. Wemyss Bay - 50 mins
Wemyss Bay has a great rocky beach - you can also grab a ferry over to the Isle of Bute for a daytrip | Wikimedia Commons