Gabby's Glasgow

Glasgow is teeming with trendy bars, hotels and restaurants

Glasgow is one of my favourite UK cities. I know it very well because I lived in the West End near Victoria Circus with my husband Kenny, who used to play rugby for Scotland. It's a great place to be in the city, very central; what's distinctive are the area's amazing Victorian properties - gorgeous architecture on an epic scale. The rooms have massive, high ceilings, beautiful cornicing and fabulous windows. Staying in the West End is the perfect place to be in Glasgow because it's easy to get into - and out of - the city. It takes about 30 minutes, for example, to get from here to Loch Lomond. The countryside around Glasgow is stunning and very easy to reach. I used to love driving off with the dog and walking in all of this fabulous scenery, wandering around lochs on my own. Kenny and I would often jump in the car and drive down to Ayr or Turnberry. There's so much to be seen in Scotland. One of our favourite-ever holidays was a trip driving around Scotland just before we had our twins, Reuben and Lois, who are nearly two. We drove up the west coast, visiting places such as the Isle of Skye. It was magnificent. We had three days of glorious weather and enjoyed meeting the people. Because both of us have travelled abroad so much for our work, we're happy to stay in Britain for our main holiday this summer. We both worry about the carbon emissions from air travel, so that's another good reason for staying in the UK. We're taking our main holiday in Cornwall but we were seriously thinking about Scotland. Kenny's dream is to hire a Winnebago and take us all around Scotland on a big trip. I've told him that he has to wait until the children get beyond the age of saying 'Are we there yet?' I know all about travel by Winnebagos because ITV had us travelling in one for last year's World Cup in Germany - we'd spend up to nine hours a day going from place to place.

Gabby is smitten with
Glasgow's West End

I have a fondness for luxury hotels, I have to admit. Kenny and I have been lucky to stay in some of the world's best. If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the fabulous Amankila Resort on the east coast of Bali, set on a cliff-top overlooking the Lombok Strait. However, the secret of a great holiday is not where you're staying but with whom you're staying. Wherever Kenny and I go with the children, it will always be wonderful.

Here are some of our recommended haunts in Glasgow. ONE DEVONSHIRE GARDENS1 Devonshire Gardens, Glasgow (0141 339 2001; www.onedevonshire gardens.com)This is my favourite Glasgow hotel. It's actually a Hotel du Vin with 49 fabulous bedrooms and a great bistro. This is the perfect place to chill out. When people think about a short break in Scotland, most only consider Edinburgh. When I first knew Kenny, Edinburgh was where I used to come most often. It was only later that I discovered Glasgow. Kenny's farm in Stirling is equi-distant from Edinburgh and Glasgow, handy for nights out in both cities. Then when Kenny came to Glasgow to play rugby we moved here, so then I really got to grips with the city. I discovered that what makes the place so great is that the people are the nicest in the UK - funny and cheery. The first three months we were here, the weather was terrible - it rained almost every day, yet everybody still managed to be upbeat. KEMBER AND JONES134 Byres Road, Glasgow (0141 337 3851; www.kemberandjones.co.uk)This deli/café opened the week we moved up to Glasgow, so I feel a special relationship with it. Nowadays whenever I can't get my favourite table by the window I feel a bit resentful! We used to have lunch here about five times a week, meeting up after Kenny had finished training. I was pregnant and didn't feel like cooking at home so it was great to eat here. The staff are really friendly. THE UBIQUITOUS CHIP RESTAURANT12 Ashton Lane, Glasgow (0141 334 5007; www.ubiquitouschip.co.uk)Situated in a cobbled mews in Glasgow's West End, this is one of the city's most famous eating places, with a great atmosphere. The restaurant is a sort of mini-Kew Gardens - an atrium filled with plants and artwork. It attracts a mixed crowd - many smartly dressed business people, but also an artistic clientele. You see plenty of actors in here. It always has a lively vibe. I've never eaten here without enjoying the atmosphere. When it comes to nights out, Glasgow seems to have a bit of a Mediterranean approach to things. It's not considered unusual to book a table for dinner between 10 and 11pm and linger until the early hours. I'm not sure if Glaswegians have a Spanish-style siesta some time during the day in order to recharge their batteries after staying out so late. ? Read more of Gabby Logan's Glasgow recommendations on www.1off.com, a new website with inside information on shops, hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs in UK cities, including Edinburgh, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, London and Cardiff.