Major city · United Kingdom
Kilsyth
Use Kilsyth as a half-day stop for the Antonine Wall at Bar Hill and Croy Hill, not a base: 2–3 hours on foot, then back to Glasgow or Stirling.
Kilsyth is a small commuter town 15 miles northeast of Glasgow, sitting where the lowland route pinches between the Campsie Fells and the moors. Its one real draw is the Antonine Wall: the earthworks at Croy Hill and Bar Hill are among the best surviving sections of the Roman frontier, and you can walk both from the town. Everything else — a country park, a canal marina, a couple of pubs with rooms — is a stopover, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Nov–Feb (short daylight, wet underfoot on the hill paths)
- Airports
- GLA · EDI
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kilsyth999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kilsyth, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet commuter town and safe to walk by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent (24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGLA Glasgow Airport (About 25 miles west; bus 500 to Glasgow city centre, then bus or train to Croy.).
- Getting aroundThe town itself is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–18 (≈ US$16–25)
- Street or quick mealTrain, Croy to Glasgow Queen StreetAbout £6 (≈ US$8)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Metro or bus rideBus fare, Glasgow to KilsythAbout £6 (≈ US$8)
- Museum or sight ticketSwimming pool entryAbout £5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedPub or guesthouse double room, a night, per room£125 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedPub or guesthouse double room, a night, per room£180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £80 (≈ US$110) · High £140 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GLA Glasgow Airport (About 25 miles west; bus 500 to Glasgow city centre, then bus or train to Croy.) · EDI Edinburgh Airport (About 30 miles east; bus or tram to Haymarket, then a westbound train.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Mar
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Apr (12). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kilsyth: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 rd
Feb
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
14 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
16 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
16 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town itself is walkable. Colzium, Croy Hill and Bar Hill are all reachable on foot; a bike helps for the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath and the Campsie Fells. Croy station, 2 miles south along the B802, is the rail link — buses 344/349 and 435 run between Kilsyth and Croy.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1–1.25 h
Bus 89 from Buchanan station, about 1 h; or bus to Croy then a 15-min train
The obvious base for this area; museums, food and onward rail.
Cumbernauld
cautionDoor to door: About 20–30 min
Canavan bus 435, every 30 min Mon–Sat
Only worth it for the next Antonine Wall forts at Westerwood and Castlecary.
Falkirk
goDoor to door: About 1 h 40 min
Midland Bluebird bus 72 via Lenzie and Kirkintilloch
Rough Castle fort and the Falkirk Wheel; the bus is slow, the train via Croy is quicker.
Door to door: About 50 min
Bus to Croy, then train north, about 20 min
Castle, Wallace Monument and Bannockburn; a full day.
Door to door: About 1.5 h by car
Back roads by car, or train from Croy via Glasgow
Too slow by public transport for a comfortable return day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Main Street / Parkfoot Street)
The Coachman pub has rooms on Parkfoot Street; bars below mean Friday and Saturday noise until late.
Allanfauld Road, north edge
Farm guest rooms and a garden cottage; quiet, but you need a car or a 20-minute walk into town.
Auchinstarry Marina
Canal-side rooms at the Boathouse, south of town; handy for the towpath and the John Muir Way.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–70 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- £70–110 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- £110 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pub or guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × £125 | £125 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × £80 | £160 |
| Bus 89 Glasgow → Kilsyth, one way2 × £6 | £12 |
| Train Croy → Glasgow Queen Street, one way2 × £6 | £12 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £33 |
| Trip total≈ £181 per person per day, bed included | £362≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to and from Kilsyth excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £12–18 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus fare, Glasgow to Kilsyth | About £6 (≈ US$8) |
| Train, Croy to Glasgow Queen Street | About £6 (≈ US$8) |
| Swimming pool entry | About £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Croy station is 2 miles from town: check the bus times before you commit to a train.
- Hill paths at Croy and Bar Hill are rough and boggy after rain; wear boots, not trainers.
- Sunday buses are sparse — some routes run only two services a day.
- 5G does not reach Kilsyth; 4G is fine on all UK carriers.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent (24 h)
- 111
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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KilsythKilsyth
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent (24 h)111
Embassy
No embassies in Kilsyth; consulates-general are in Edinburgh and Glasgow, embassies in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus 89 Glasgow Buchanan → Kilsyth: about £6 (≈ US$8), about 1 h
- Train Croy → Glasgow Queen Street: about £6 (≈ US$8), 15 min
- Taxi Kilsyth → Croy station: about £8–10 (≈ US$11–14)
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry
- Thank you — Thank you
- Please — Please
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the everyday language here; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kilsyth. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Nov–Feb (short daylight, wet underfoot on the hill paths) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GLA and EDI: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street, Colzium and Banton Loch, Croy Hill, Bar Hill and the canal marina.
- Place pages with verified access notes for Colzium House, Croy Hill and Bar Hill, plus eat pages with last orders.
- Antonine Wall day fixture linking Kilsyth, Cumbernauld, Falkirk and Kirkintilloch so the Roman frontier can be done in one day.