City Culture & Countryside Calm: The Ultimate March Dual Itinerary

If you are currently sitting with a calendar in one hand and a map of Scotland in the other, torn between the electric buzz of a city break and the restorative calm of a countryside retreat, we have some splendid news.

You do not have to choose.

One of the greatest privileges of staying with us at Pleasant Hill is our unique position at the "Gateway to the Highlands." We sit comfortably in that sweet spot where the cosmopolitan streets of Glasgow are just a short journey south, yet the rolling hills and lochs of the Trossachs are immediately to your north.

March is arguably the best month to take advantage of this duality. The days are finally stretching out, the light has returned, and there is a crisp, invigorating quality to the air that makes both gallery-hopping and scenic driving a joy.

Here is how you can curate the perfect mix of culture and nature during your stay this spring.

Part 1: The City Fix (A Day in Glasgow’s West End)

While our Festival Guide covers the major events, sometimes you just want to soak up the atmosphere at your own pace. Glasgow is a city with a beating heart—friendly, unpretentious, and packed with character.

The Morning: Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Start your day in the fashionable West End. A visit to Kelvingrove is a non-negotiable rite of passage here. It is free to enter and houses everything from Salvador Dalí’s masterpiece Christ of Saint John of the Cross to a floating Spitfire. The magnificent red sandstone architecture looks particularly striking against a bright, breezy March sky, and the museum offers a perfect sanctuary if a spring shower decides to pass through.

The Lunch: Ashton Lane

Just a stone's throw from the museum lies Ashton Lane. Tucked away behind the main streets, this cobbled lane under a canopy of fairy lights feels like a secret film set. It is home to some of the city's best hospitality. Pop into the famous Ubiquitous Chip for a drink or find a cosy corner in Brel to fuel up. It is the perfect spot to discuss your evening plans before leaving the city bustle behind.

Part 2: The Countryside Detox (The Trossachs Scenic Route)

After a dose of city energy, the short journey back towards Pleasant Hill transitions you into a world of silence and space. If you are not in the mood for the heavy hiking mentioned in our Walking Guide, you can still experience the majesty of the Highlands comfortably.

The Drive: The Duke’s Pass

For a breathtaking afternoon, take the car from Aberfoyle to Callander via the Duke’s Pass (A821). Regarded as one of Britain’s most scenic drives, it winds through the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. In March, the landscape is dramatic and moody, with waterfalls often in full flow and the ferns beginning to unfurl. It is a drive that demands you pull over simply to admire the view.

The Viewpoint: The Highland Boundary Fault

Head towards Balmaha on the banks of Loch Lomond. Even if you prefer not to climb to the top of Conic Hill, the views from the waterfront are spectacular. You can trace the line of islands across the Loch which mark the Highland Boundary Fault—the geological line where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. It is a literal visual representation of your holiday: looking back at the city you explored this morning, and forward into the wild mountains.

The Refuel: The Oak Tree Inn

Finish your excursion at The Oak Tree Inn in Balmaha. This family-run establishment is a local treasure. There is something very special about sitting by their roaring fire with a hot coffee or a dram of whisky in March, watching the boats bob on the water outside. It is the ultimate way to decompress.

Part 3: Your Home Base at Pleasant Hill

The true beauty of this itinerary is the logistics. Because Pleasant Hill is your luxurious anchor, there is no need to pack and unpack multiple times.

Imagine this: You spend the morning viewing world-class art in the West End and lunching under the fairy lights. By late afternoon, you are back at your private villa, swapping city shoes for comfortable slippers. You can end the day in our hot tub, watching the steam rise into the cool spring air, reflecting on a day that offered the very best of everything Scotland has to offer.