Eats in Glasgow in autumn (challenge level: Muslim) & daytrips
March 19, 2023 9:24 PM Subscribe
I'm finally heading back to the city I was studying in, and for sure, a lot has changed in the decade since I was last there, I would expect. This time around, I'm bringing along a friend, and we'll only be in Glasgow for about 5 days. I've got the highlights within the city all planned out in terms of architecture and exhibitions/museums, but I'd like to bring them to Stirling on a day trip and if possible up to the highlands (by train!) at least either Oban or Mallaig. I've looked through previous Asks, and the recommended itineraries look so great but not doable for me on this trip. The other thing of course is the food recommendation, since I'm not planning to cook, and I can't vert well bring them to the halal butcher I used to go (even if it's still around!).
So my questions are about:
1) Daytrip via the West Highland Line in autumn: Oban or Mallaig? What can I show them around? Distilleries are absolutely an okay suggestion, btw, even if we won't partake.
2) I don't quite expect specifically halal suggestions, but help me update on places to eat? (for example, which tea room should I bring them to?) Any particularly great vegan/vegetarian places, which I remember Glasgow has quite a bit of good reputation for? Indian/Pakistani options would be quite low on our priority since we can get those at home, unless there's a standout. Any place whose menu isn't dominated by pork is also a-ok for us, so any particular non-porky dishes at any particular place would also be a welcome suggestion.
and lastly, bonus question:
3) has the planning for travelling by bus gotten any easier over the years? Should we still stick to taxis? Are rideshares still a thing?
So my questions are about:
1) Daytrip via the West Highland Line in autumn: Oban or Mallaig? What can I show them around? Distilleries are absolutely an okay suggestion, btw, even if we won't partake.
2) I don't quite expect specifically halal suggestions, but help me update on places to eat? (for example, which tea room should I bring them to?) Any particularly great vegan/vegetarian places, which I remember Glasgow has quite a bit of good reputation for? Indian/Pakistani options would be quite low on our priority since we can get those at home, unless there's a standout. Any place whose menu isn't dominated by pork is also a-ok for us, so any particular non-porky dishes at any particular place would also be a welcome suggestion.
and lastly, bonus question:
3) has the planning for travelling by bus gotten any easier over the years? Should we still stick to taxis? Are rideshares still a thing?
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The trip over the Glenfinnan viaduct to Mallaig is spectacular, but it looks to be more than five hours each way, and I don't think Mallaig itself is wildly exciting - it's best known as a ferry port and the jumping-off point for the islands. You're basically looking at 11 hours of sitting on a train with a short break in Mallaig to grab a sandwich, and not really doing anything else that day. Unless they're insane about the Harry Potter films (which feature the viaduct), I'd not put yourselves through that much train travel.
Oban, on the other hand, is a lovely destination, and the ride there from Glasgow is 'only' 3 hours each way. I think I'd go for Oban, giving you time for lunch and a stroll around at your destination.
I've not been to Oban by train so can't vouch for the scenery, but just about every corner of that part of Scotland is insanely beautiful, so can't imagine it'd hurt the eyes.
posted by penguin pie at 11:35 AM on March 20, 2023 [1 favorite]