Family Road Trip to Glasgow, Scotland: Four Days of Adventure with Mac and Blair

Traveling with a family of eight is never ordinary. Every trip is part adventure, part chaos, and part story you’ll laugh about years later. That’s exactly what happened when we, Mac and Blair, packed up our six kids and hit the road for a four-day trip to Glasgow, Scotland. Our YouTube channel, Mac and Blair Family Adventures, has always been about capturing these journeys, but this time, we wanted to share the story in writing, too.

From an eight-hour drive filled with snacks and singalongs, to car hiccups, ferry rides, Victorian museums, and botanic gardens, our trip was full of surprises. Here’s how our Glasgow family adventure unfolded, one day at a time.

Day 1: The Long Drive and a Victorian Welcome

The journey began with an eight-hour drive from England to Scotland. Anyone who has traveled with children knows that time multiplies when you’re in the car. Between bathroom stops, snack breaks, and the occasional sibling squabble, we felt every mile.

But the reward was worth it. We arrived in Glasgow and checked into our home rental — a beautiful Victorian house that seemed made for a large family. With its high ceilings, ornate details, and spacious rooms, it wasn’t just a place to sleep; it became part of the adventure. The kids claimed their spots, Blair unpacked the essentials, and we finally exhaled.

That night, we didn’t do much except settle in, share a warm dinner, and prepare for the days ahead. But the excitement of being in Scotland was already in the air.

Day 2: Exploring Glasgow — Markets, Murals, and a Car Mishap

The plan for our first full day in the city was ambitious: dive headfirst into Glasgow’s local life. But family travel never goes perfectly to plan.

Just as we were about to head out, we discovered our car battery had died. Eight people, ready to go, bags packed, kids restless — and the car wouldn’t start. After a quick jump start (and some nervous laughter), we were back on track. It was a reminder that the unplanned moments often become the best stories later.

Our first stop was the Railway Yard Market, where we were welcomed by the scent of fresh coffee and sizzling food stalls. Blair and I grabbed Vietnamese iced coffee, while the kids sampled hearty Scottish sausages. The atmosphere buzzed with local energy, a mix of families, students, and street musicians.

From there, we wandered into the Barras Market, a Glasgow staple. It was eclectic — stalls piled high with antiques, crafts, and quirky treasures. The kids loved darting from booth to booth, hunting for bargains and trinkets.

But what stood out most that day was Glasgow’s Mural Trail. Walking through the city felt like walking through an open-air gallery. Giant, colorful works of street art towered over us, each one telling its own story. Some murals made us pause and admire, while others made us laugh, like the endless tributes to red squirrels. Despite being painted everywhere, we never managed to spot a real one.

We ended the day wandering through Merchant City, where the energy of shops, cafés, and performers kept everyone entertained. A stop at the art museum rounded things off, with the kids alternating between fascination and impatience. Finally, we strolled through the city centre, tired but happy, before returning to our Victorian rental for the night.

Day 3: Ferries, Forests, and the Circle of Life

Day three took us out of the city and into nature , exactly what we needed after the buzz of Glasgow.

We drove to Greenock, where we caught the ferry to Dunoon. This wasn’t just transportation; it was an adventure in itself. The ferry, an older one, had a bit of character. Some of the kids chose to stay in the car, while the more adventurous ones ran straight to the deck. That’s when the waves hit. Wind and spray drenched them, but instead of complaints, there were shrieks of laughter. It was the kind of memory that sticks, that one time they braved the Scottish waters and came back soaked and smiling.

From Dunoon, we continued to the Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyle. (And yes, we learned how to properly pronounce “Argyle” from the locals!) Before exploring, I changed into sturdier shoes — a must when chasing six kids through forest paths.

The gardens were stunning. Towering redwood trees, planted in 1863, stood like sentinels from another world. We taught the kids how to count the rings on a fallen log to see its age and explained how new life grows from fallen giants. Blair reminded them to wipe their shoes on disinfectant mats at the entrance — a small step to protect forests from invasive pathogens.

Our children turned the visit into their own adventure. They stretched their arms to link hands around the massive trunks, climbed low branches, and inspected beetles, slugs, and ferns. For them, this wasn’t a botanic garden; it was a living classroom.

We also saw the aftermath of a recent storm that had knocked down several trees. One of our kids, Braden, spotted the signs and proudly announced his own deduction — a little scientist in the making.

The day ended back in Glasgow, with a peaceful evening walk at the Glasgow Green. As the sun dipped, we admired the historic McLennan Arch, a structure that has been moved multiple times around the city but still stands tall as a reminder of Glasgow’s layered history.

Day 4: Museums, Muffins, and Manchester

Our final day started with the familiar chaos of packing up. Anyone who has checked out of a vacation rental with kids knows the drill, missing socks, misplaced toys, endless bags. Eventually, we loaded the car and hit the road, but not without a quick stop at Lidl for breakfast.

There, I discovered a Scottish tablet muffin. Imagine a regular muffin but topped with crunchy fudge-like caramel. It was indulgent, and exactly what I needed for the drive. The kids happily munched on blueberry muffins, and with coffee in hand, we set off.

Before leaving Glasgow, we made time for one last landmark: the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It came highly recommended, and it did not disappoint. Inside, we saw the towering skeleton of an Irish deer, a display of the elusive red squirrel (again, only in museums and murals for us), and even a working beehive buzzing with life.

Blair used the visit as a teaching opportunity, encouraging the older kids to read exhibit placards and explain them in their own words. I admired the building itself, its grand architecture rivaled some of Europe’s most iconic museums.

Then came the long drive home. After about four hours, we stopped in Manchester to stretch our legs and soak in one more city. Manchester is one of our favorite UK stops (tied closely with Liverpool), and it didn’t disappoint.

The kids made a beeline for bubble tea at T4, while Blair and I checked out the newly opened PopMart store, a place full of collectibles that felt like treasure hunting. This time, we managed not to repeat our infamous past mistake — accidentally driving into a pedestrian-only square, surrounded by police officers. It’s one of those stories that still makes us laugh.

Outside, entrepreneurial street sellers hustled, Uber Eats and Just Eat bikers whizzed by, and the city pulsed with life. I couldn’t help but think: I’d happily live here.

After a quick dinner, we piled back into the car for the final stretch. We rolled into our driveway late at night, kids half-asleep, backpacks scattered, and routines waiting for us. The next morning, school and work resumed, but we carried Scotland with us.

Reflections on Glasgow

Looking back, our four-day trip was everything we hoped for and more. Scotland travel is always special, but Glasgow gave us a mix of culture, nature, history, and family fun. From the chaos of car batteries and ferry spray to quiet moments under redwood trees and the wonder of Kelvingrove, we found the magic that happens when you travel with kids — the unexpected becomes unforgettable.

As a family of eight, traveling isn’t always easy. But whether it’s exploring bustling markets, chasing murals, or standing in awe of centuries-old forests, the experience is always worth it. For us, this trip was more than a getaway. It was a chapter in our ongoing story of Mac and Blair Family Adventures.

And if you’re planning your own family trip to Scotland, here’s our advice: embrace the mishaps, savor the muffins, and don’t forget to jump on the ferry, even if it leaves you drenched.