Balloch Castle near Loch Lomond

Hope the Scots showed you a good time - they did me! And having just had time for a wee meander into some of Scotland's beautiful countryside, the next visit's got to be longer…

Off to the airport...

Bus stop for the airport

I got the airport shuttle back to the airport but if you're getting there with a car hire and dropping it off there, see our guide to returning a car hire to Glasgow Airport.

Departures

Screens for check-in desks

If you need to check in or have luggage to put in hold, find which check-in desk you need at one of the screens dotted about the airport. These ones are by the lift and escalators to go up to the next floor.

Heading up one level

Departures are located on the first floor of the airport. Once inside the terminal building, head to the check-in area (for check-in desks 1-39) and you'll find a lift and escalators that will take you to the first floor.

This way to departure gates

To go straight to the departure gates from the lift, turn left and left for security. From the escalators, you'll see the entrance to the departure gates and security area behind you as you come up (so you should turn left and left too!).

Eating and shopping pre-security

Here though is what you can find before going through security. See our post on arriving into Glasgow Airport to find what eating and shopping options you have in the arrivals area on the ground floor.

Games and football on your right

Game Zone

For Celtic fans

I'm afraid if you're a Rangers fan, you're out of luck!

Food and drink

Sports bar action

Up ahead of you, you'll see the Central Sports Bar & Grill, which is good for a pint (or other cool refreshment) and hot food - you know, burgers and chips sort of food. They have big screens playing sports… like all sports bars do! 

Deli Kitchen

For coffee, pastries and cakes, sandwiches as well as curry in a pie, get yourself over to the Deli Kitchen - just to the right of the Central Sports Bar & Grill. Also good if you fancy some ice cream!

Scotch Pie from the Deli Kitchen

I had a Scotch Pie to snack on… basically - mince meat in a pie. (No celeb chef offerings here in case you were hoping for something like Gordon Ramsay's Plane Food!)

Fresh Food Central

At the back, there is the Fresh Food Central - started to run out of time for a proper exploration but they have a range of cold and hot food options including salads and stone baked pizzas.

Shopping and eating after security

Duty Freeee

Once you've gone through security, you'll walk through a large duty free shop where you'll be able to pick up all your duty free favourites as well as some shortbread biscuits and a bottle of scotch… great if you wanted to get one (or more) but didn't have time or only have hand carry and you wanted to take more than 100mls!

After walking out of the duty free shop, if you haven't spent all your money yet, there's more shopping that can be done!

For electronics

To your left, you'll find Dixon's Travel for electronics

Glasgow and Scottish treats

Next to that is the Discover Glasgow shop for Glasgow and Scotland souvenirs - including some rather nice tartan carpet-like bags. Also a good shopping option if you wanted to pick up something in a Rennie Mackintosh style - jewellery for example. And shortbread of course!

Next to Discover Glasgow is a Rolling Luggage store if you want a new bag to travel with.

Boots and Accessorize

Walk a little further and you'll find a Boots your right for toiletries and anything you might need from a pharmacy. In Accessorize right beside it, find a host of accessories from scarves to flip flops. 

If you want to pick up something to read or just buy refreshments or snacks for the flight, head to the WH Smith further ahead.

Sunglass Hut and Swarovski

Pick up a new pair of sunglasses at the Sunglass Hut and lovely crystal things at Swarovski - these are just opposite the big WH Smith, past EAT (more on eating options further below). 

Need gates 1 to 26?

The way to gates 1-26 are beyond EAT, which should be on your left as you walk past it. 

A new wardrobe perhaps...

For clothes...

Not an actual wardrobe but clothes to put in it! You've got several options further ahead towards gates 26 to 37 and gates 51 to 52 including Dorothy Perkins, Brands by Collezioni and À bientôt.

Rituals

For cosmetics and nice smelly things for your home, head to Rituals which is just by the À bientôt. 

Worked up a hunger? Here are your food and drink options

Sanderling Wetherspoon Pub

Up ahead is another Wetherspoon pub, The Sanderling serving typical pub fare and drinks.

Eat at EAT

There is a large EAT for hot and cold refreshments, sandwiches, sweet things and soup

Beardmore Bar and Restaurant

The Beardmore bar and restaurant will be particularly appealing for those looking for something more Scottish in flavour. They have a wide range of food options as well as boasting over fifty whiskies! 

Caledonia Café Bar

The Caledonia Bar and Café is before you get to beardmore on your right. Apparently, they have great views...

Frankie and Benny's

But if you're looking for some American-Italian fare in a diner type style, head to Frankie and Benny's, which is on the second floor. There are stairs leading to it after walking past EAT on the way to gates 1 to 26.

Tennants Bar

Never too far away from a drink... there is also a Tennants Bar close to departure gates 27 to 36.