museum
Riverside Museum
Glasgow's Zaha Hadid-designed transport museum on the Clyde, packed with classic cars, a recreated cobbled street of vintage vehicles, and the tall ship Glenlee moored outside.
14 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
East Kilbride
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About East Kilbride
East Kilbride is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Carmunnock, 46km from Loch Lomond.
East Kilbride is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 75,310, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, East Kilbride sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add East Kilbride to your route.
About East Kilbride
East Kilbride (; Scottish Gaelic: Cille Bhrìghde an Ear [ˈkʲʰiʎə ˈvɾʲiːtʲə əɲ ˈɛɾ]), often referred to as EK, is the largest town in South Lanarkshire in Scotland, and the country's sixth-largest locality by population, with 76,607 inhabitants in 2022. Historically a small village, it was designated Scotland's firstRead more
"new town" on 6 May 1947, and thereafter widely expanded. The area lies on a raised plateau to the south of the Cathkin Braes, about eight miles (thirteen kilometres) southeast of Glasgow and close to the boundary with East Renfrewshire.
The town ends close to the White Cart Water to the west and is bounded by the Rotten Calder Water to the east. Immediately to the north of the modern town centre is The Village, the part of East Kilbride that existed before its post-war development into a New Town. East Kilbride is twinned with the town of Ballerup, in Denmark.
Where to Stay in East Kilbride
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in East Kilbride?
East Kilbride offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
How do I plan a road trip to East Kilbride?
Plan your road trip to East Kilbride with Plan Your Road Trips! Add East Kilbride as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Where is East Kilbride located?
East Kilbride is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 55.7641 latitude, -4.1767 longitude.
What is the population of East Kilbride?
East Kilbride has a population of approximately 75,310 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 75,310
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 55.7641, -4.1767
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from East Kilbride
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
The Kelpies
Two 30-metre steel horse-head sculptures towering over the canal at Falkirk, a striking modern landmark off the M9.
39 km · about 45 min drive
castle
Stirling Castle
One of Scotland's largest and most important castles, sitting atop Castle Hill and closely associated with Scottish independence.
42 km · about 50 min drive
cafe
The Oak Tree Inn
A popular stopping point on the A82 beside Loch Lomond, where road trippers heading to the Scottish Highlands pause to take in one of Scotland's most beautiful lochs.
42 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
The Dunmore Pineapple
An outrageous 14m stone pineapple crowns this 1761 walled-garden folly, built for the Earl of Dunmore and rated among Britain's most eccentric buildings. Free to visit, hidden down a lane near Airth.
42 km · about 50 min drive
film location
National Wallace Monument, Stirling (Braveheart)
The Victorian tower commemorating William Wallace overlooks the Stirling battlefield central to Braveheart's story; the film itself shot largely in Ireland.
45 km · about 50 min drive
natural wonder
Loch Lomond
Britain's largest freshwater lake by surface area, where Highland mountains meet Lowland shores in a landscape immortalised in song.
46 km · about 55 min drive
photogenic
Culross
Scotland's most complete 17th-century burgh: ochre-coloured Culross Palace, cobbled wynds and white-harled cottages on the Firth of Forth, preserved by the National Trust. Doubles as Cranesmuir in Outlander.
47 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near East Kilbride
- 54 kmQueensferry CrossingThe world's longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2017, carrying the M90 high over the Firth of Forth alongside its famous Victorian and 1960s neighbours: three centuries of bridges in one view.
- 56 kmElectric BraeFamous optical-illusion stretch of the A719 on the Ayrshire coast where cars appear to roll uphill. Drivers have pulled over to test the gravity-defying slope since the 1930s.
- 65 kmThe Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
- 65 kmGoatfellArran's highest peak at 874m, climbed from Brodick, with views over the Firth of Clyde and to Ireland on clear days.
- 65 kmRest and Be Thankful (A83)The famous climb out of Glen Croe in Argyll with the old military road beside it; landslide-prone but a spectacular gateway to the west coast.
- 66 kmArthur's Seat, EdinburghAncient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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