National Trust for Scotland: Pollok House

Pollok House was beautifully decorated for Christmas, well done to the staff who obviously worked very hard to trim this enormous house. The restaurant/​coffee shop in the old kitchen has much improved too from a visit in August during a busy time when it pained us to watch inefficient restaurant staff wander seemingly without much purpose and people waited ages to be served or have their tables cleared. The art and the furniture in the house are truly fabulous and it is worthwhile looking at the historic staff photograph to see how many people were supported by the estate, apparently the Maxwells of Pollok were benevolent and fair employers. Outdoors the gardens are lovely make a trip along to the stables to see the Clydesdales and the vegetable gardens behind. All of our guests who have visited have had a wonderful day out and have loved the Highland Cattle calves in the award winning estate herd.

Ventured here when the Burrell Collection was closed due to industrial action. What a find! Very busy during peak times and not much room to swing the proverbial cat (especially if you bring your wee ones) but the food is lovely. Good choice of a lot of home cooking and not that expensive. Staff are friendly and mostly attentive when they are not busy, busy, busy. Try the home-​baked cakes, they are a total indulgence.

Worth a look, especially in the old servants area downstairs which doesn’t cost anything to get into and far more interesting than the grander rooms upstairs that have an admission fee. Better a quick visit here and spending more time at the Burrell Collection, elsewhere in the park.