East Renfrewshire

East Renfrewshire's food and drink scene is broader than its size suggests, with everything from tapas at Malaga Tapas Clarkston to the steaks at Miller And Carter, plus casual coffee stops like Mags Coffee Shop for something simpler. It's the kind of place where you can eat well without much planning, whether that means a proper sit-down meal or a quick bite between exploring the countryside and villages that make up the area.

Days here tend to move at a gentler pace than in nearby Glasgow, with the countryside setting making it easy to fill time simply walking or exploring the villages and small towns that make up East Renfrewshire. The area sits close enough to the city that a day trip in is straightforward, but staying out here means evenings back at the cottage feel properly removed from it.

With 94 restaurants listed across the area, there's rarely a reason to go hungry, whatever mood you're in. Combine that with a handful of well-placed cottages, each with their own character rooted in the area's farming past, and East Renfrewshire makes a solid base for a few days that mix quiet countryside stays with proper variety at the table.