KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY

AND MUSEUM

Argyle Street, 0141 287 2699 www.glasgowmuseums.com/kelvingrove

Not for nothing is this one of the most viSited museums in Europe. Recently refurbished it is bursting at the seams with something for everyone. As well as their slew of paintings and sculptures. check out the Arty Weekend on Sat 25 and Sun 26 April. where the whole family is inVited to roll up their sleeves and get stuck into some arty activities. which take place alongside talks and demonstrations. Alternatively. check out the Love Your Museum Weekend. Inspired by the new Dr Who exhibition the theme for the weekend is ‘Reality vs lmagination'. Visitors can find out the tables of the mythical unicorn and discover the real animals that inspired this creature and others. design their own armour, explore Scottish wildlife. and create their own alien to match an imaginary world.

LOCH LOMONO & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK

Loch Lomond Gateway Centre, Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, 0845 345 4978, www.Iochlomond-trossachs.org

The town of Balloch. situated at the tip of Loch Lomond. is a 40-minute drive or train journey from Glasgow. On its doorstep is the magnificent Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park. which incorporates one of Scotland’s most famous stretches of water with the peaks and forested glens of the rugged Trossachs. An easy escape from the city. there are all sorts of opportunities for gentle shore-side walks. serious hill-walking. mountain- biking and watersports.

MUGOOCK COUNTRY PARK

Craigallian Road, near Milngavie, 0141 956 6100, www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk

Home to the first section of the West Highland Way. this park is just north of the Milngavie suburb and south of the Campsie Fells. There's a shuttle bus to the park from Milngavie train station every half hour in the summer, and entry is free. It has various walks along marked trails through its 260 hectares of unspoilt grounds and ancient woodlands to explore either on foot. horse or bicycle. and there's also a restaurant. tea room. farm shop. Victorian walled garden and picnic area.

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, 01620 897 240

If you've always dreamed of stepping aboard Concorde. standing beside a WWII Spitfire or a tooled-up Typhoon fighter. the winged occupants of the tour hangars at East Fortune Museum of Flight provide a fascinating insight into the history of

aViation. For many, the highlight of the trip to this former WWII airfield is the Concorde Experience. Imagine that you are Joan Collins. climb aboard. peer inSide the cockpit and. armed With your audio- gwde. listen to a former pilot describe his experience of flying supersonic at 60.000ft. There's also a cafe and gift shop.

NECROPOLIS

50 Cathedral Square, 0141 552 3145

Literally a City of the dead. this vast burial ground behind Glasgow Cathedral pays tribute to Glasgow's wealthier 19th-century inhabitants. Established With a View to being a kind of Scottish equivalent of Pere Lachaise in Paris. it may not have the likes of Jim Morrison, but memorials include a 62m high obelisk to John Knox and plenty of SpectaCuIarly ornate gravestones and mausoleums. See page 30.

THE OCHILS

East of Stirling, www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/areastir/

Cast a glance from Stirling Castle in the direction of the Wallace Monument and yOu Will see behind it Durnyat. as good a hill as any to introduce you to the Ochils. It can be reached by walking or driVing up the Sherrifmun Road behind Stirling University and striking out from the clearly marked layby. Ben Cleuch, the highest point. is only 721m high. and although it is hardly stunning in itself it provides a sweeping view of the Forth Estuary and Kincardine Bndge.

PENTLAND HILLS REGIONAL PARK Edinburgh, 0131 445 3383, www.edinburgh.gov.uk/phrp

Just 20 minutes drive or a 50-minute cycle from Edinburgh city centre, the Pentland Hills Regional Park offers stunning views and over 60 square miles of woodland and cross-country paths. huge reservoirs and even an ancient hill fort. With well signposted walking and cycle routes, it's perfect for leg stretching and getting close to nature. Though busy. Flotterstone (off the A702) provides ample car- parking to begin a hike.

PEOPLE'S PALACE

Glasgow Green, 0141 271 2962, www.9lasgowmuseums.com

Alongside temporary exhibitions, this Clydeside museum relates the story of Glasgow and its citizens from 1750 to the present day. a richly evocative social portrait of a tough, humorous city surviving poverty and war to emerge as a forward-thinking European conurbation of culture and opportunity. The photographs. artefacts and interactive displays pull few punches about darker chapters in the city's history. but overall it 's a fun educational experience. Attached are the Winter Gardens. an elegant

Victorian glasshouse of tropical plants.

DAYSOUTdfim

EASTER EGGCITEMENT

From chocolate surprises to Easter trails, there’s an event for everyone

Chicks, qus & Bunnies Week

Mon 6—Thu 9 Apr. 10-1 1am. 58 per day. Imagination Workshop, 136 Marchmont Road. 0131 466 0148. Make a chick. egg or bunny in this Easter—themed workshop. Price includes a chocolate egg. Ages 6 k

Easter qu-cltement

Sun 12 Apr. 10am. $7.60 per family. Gorgie City Farm, 51 Gorgie Road. 0131 337 4202. Decorate eggs and race them down the hill. just like Jesus did. then search for chocolatey Surprises from the Easter Bunny.

Spring into Easter!

Sun 12 Apr. 10am—5pm. Free With admission. National Museum of Rural Life. Wester KittochSide. Philipshill Road, East Kilbride. 0141 2474377. An Easter egg-stravagan/a With real Easter bunnies. an Easter egg trail and even a Mad Hatter's tea party! Bring your own decorated egg to enter the Best Egg competition. or show off your pet at the museum's annual Pet Show (call 0131 247 4369 to register your pet).

Easter Egg Hunt

Sun 12 8 Mon 13 Apr. 1 1am—4pm. Free With admis3ion. National Museum of Costume. Shambellie House. New Abbey. Dumfries. 01387 850375. Recruit the family to help as you take park in quizzes and games and follow trails to find the golden eggs hidden around the museum.

Easter Extravaganza

Sun 12 Apr. 1 1am—4pm. £4 (£2). Paxton House. Paxton, BerWick Upon Tweed. 01289 386291. Paxton House's great 1000 egg hunt plus children‘s games. egg decorating. Easter mask and bonnet making. and much more.

Easter qustravaqanza

Sun 12 Apr. 1 1am. Floors Castle. Kelso. 01573 223333. Jan in the hunt for eggs in front of the majestic backdrop of Floors Castle. Keep a look out for the Easter bunny!

Palntballlnq

Haggs Road Wood. Nr Edinburgh, Burnwynd. 0800 0191 404. www.a1paintbal|.org. Fun for the slightly older kiddies here. Let off some Easter hols steam with an active afternoon of nonsense.

2—16 Apr 2009 THE LIST 23