The charming Scottish seaside town that was named country's 'friendliest'
When it comes to choosing a staycation destination, everybody will have their own priorities. Scenery, amenities, and the quality of accommodation are all important factors to consider when choosing somewhere to head for a getaway.
One thing that you don't often think about, but is also very important, is the friendliness of the locals. Nothing can put a damper on a holiday like dealing with rude people.
For that reason, one location in Scotland that you might want to consider for a staycation is Helensburgh in Argyll and Bute. It previously placed number one on a list of the "friendliest small towns to visit in Scotland" by TravelAwaits.
Located approximately 30 miles out of the centre of Glasgow, Helensburgh is nestled along the north side of the Firth of Clyde. It is home to a sand and shingle beach that offers panoramic views out over the water.
TravelAwaits praised Helensburgh for its "community-led events organised by the locals for people from the town and visitors to enjoy". They singled out organisations such as the Helensburgh Community Hub, the Helensburgh and District Access Trust, and the Helensburgh Tree Conservation Trust.
The Helensburgh Community Hub is a non-profit organisation that hosts regular events and clubs. It runs a secondhand volunteer-run book shop, as well as family hangouts and beach cleans.
In terms of things to do around Helensburgh, one of the town's top attractions is the Scottish Submarine Centre. The award-winning centre teaches visitors about submarines and how they work using immersive projection and audio technology.
Elsewhere, The Hill House is considered by the National Trust for Scotland to be iconic Scottish architect and designer Charlie Rennie Mackintosh's "domestic masterpiece". The property looks almost exactly like it did more than 100 years ago, while there are also a shop and café to visit.
If you get lucky with the weather during your visit to Helensburgh, then you should definitely check out Hermitage Park. The public park features formal gardens, a war memorial, a large playground, and plenty of peaceful picnic spots.
There are also lots of restaurants dotted around town where you can head for a delicious sit-down meal. These include pizzeria Padrone Pizza, Spanish tapas venue La Barca, and Indian restaurant Annaya's.
Helensburgh is also home to a number of popular bars and pubs. Among the highlights are wine bar La Jupe and traditional pub The Clyde Bar.
TravelAwaits wrote: "There are a lot of community-led events organised by the locals for people from the town and visitors to enjoy.
"Local volunteers make this a great place to visit, which shows what their town means to them and how proud they are of the welcome they extend.
"The Helensburgh and District Access Trust maintains local footpaths like the Three Lochs Way, and Friends of Hermitage Park have been an integral part of the regeneration of the town park."
The experts added: "There is a weekly book sale in the Community Hub and there are lots of fantastic local organisations, proving what a friendly bunch lives here."
The full list of the friendliest small towns to visit in Scotland can be found on the TravelAwaits website.
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