Scenic Scottish town home to country's best beer festival and largest wind farm
Just 20 minutes from Glasgow, Eaglesham becomes Scotland's beer capital for a day each summer but offers charm, history and scenery all year round.
One of the best things about travelling in Scotland is how quickly the scenery can change, and nowhere proves this better than Glasgow. Despite being the country's biggest city, a short 30-minute drive takes you to some of the world's most breathtaking landscapes and charming villages.
Among them is Eaglesham, a picturesque settlement in East Renfrewshire that quietly hosts what many consider to be the best beer festival in the country, Scottish Daily Express reports.
Steeped in history and known for its tranquil charm, Eaglesham was Scotland's first conservation village. It's dotted with listed buildings and wrapped in countryside calm, making it an ideal day trip from the city. But once a year, the sleepy village transforms as beer lovers from across the country flock to the Eaglesham Beer Festival.
First held in 2015, the festival has grown from a modest gathering to a major event on the Scottish cultural calendar. In 2019, it was crowned Scotland's best food and drink event, and by 2023, it had earned a shortlist spot in the 'Scotland's Best Large Festival' category at the Event-It Awards.
Organisers hope 2025 will see the festival reach even greater heights when it returns on Saturday, July 5.
As well as showcasing top-tier food and drink stalls, the festival includes family-friendly activities, making it a day out for all ages. But there's more to Eaglesham than beer.
Described by Undiscovered Scotland as lying on 'the southern edge of Glasgow's catchment area,' the village is said to have 'a great deal of character', much of it owed to the Orry, a large village green at its heart.
Once the site of a cotton mill that employed 200 people, the Orry was gifted to the people of Eaglesham by the 10th Earl of Eglinton in the 18th century, who also designed much of the modern village.
History here runs deep. The Eaglesham Heritage Trail traces the village's origins to the 11th century, while sites like Polnoon Lodge, built by the 9th Earl of Eglinton, and Motte Hill, once used for medieval gatherings, offer rich glimpses into the past.
Nearby Deil's Wood, home to a cairn perched on a prominent ridge, adds to the area's outdoor appeal.
Just outside the village lies one of Scotland's most striking landmarks, the Whitelee Wind Farm.
With more than 200 turbines spanning three council areas, it's the largest onshore wind facility in the UK.
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Eaglesham is also remembered for a dramatic moment in World War II history. In 1941, Nazi official Rudolf Hess crash-landed in the village after a mysterious solo flight from Germany.
He claimed to be on a peace mission to meet the Duke of Hamilton but mistook Eaglesham House for Dungavel House near Strathaven. Pulled from the wreckage by a local farmer, Hess was later tried at Nuremberg and spent the rest of his life in Spandau Prison.
Despite its small size, the village boasts a good selection of shops, pubs, tearooms, and restaurants.
The nearest train station is in East Kilbride, six miles away, but Eaglesham is well connected by the 4A bus from Glasgow and is just a 20-minute drive via the M77.
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