Scotland's 'friendliest' town with award-winning restaurants surrounded by lochs and rivers

When deciding where to head for a day out, one aspect that is often overlooked is the friendliness of the locals.

Having a good experience with the people who live in a town or village can make or break a trip. One uncomfortable encounter with a rude stranger can easily sour an entire day.

Luckily in Scotland, there are plenty of destinations that are known for their friendly and welcoming attitude above all else. In fact, experts at holiday website TravelAwaits previously put together a list of the eight "friendliest small towns to visit in Scotland".

Coming in at number one on their list is Helensburgh on the north side of the Firth of Clyde in Argyll and Bute. Named after the wife of Sir James Colquhoun, who founded the town towards the end of the 18th century, the coastal town was historically a Victorian holiday resort.

Speaking about the locals, TravelAwaits wrote: "Just a little way up the coast from Glasgow, Helensburgh is surrounded by lochs and rivers and perpetually looks to the water. There are a lot of community-led events organized by the locals for people from the town and visitors to enjoy.

"Local volunteers make this a great place to visit, which shows what their town means to them and how proud they are of the welcome they extend."

Meanwhile, Helensburgh has far more to offer than just friendly residents. The town is framed around the scenic Helensburgh Beach, which is backed by a lovely promenade from which you can take in the far-reaching views out over the bay towards the glorious Rosneath peninsula.

The promenade also offers easy access to the town's many lovely independent shops and businesses, which sell everything from clothes and jewellery to flowers and baked goodies. There are also lots of galleries and gardens, including those at the picturesque Hermitage Park near the town centre.

According to VisitScotland, Helensburgh is also home to "award-winning restaurants and cafes". Among the standouts are Indian restaurant Masala Twist and Chinese restaurant Mandarin, which have previously taken home prizes at the Scottish Curry Awards and Spice Awards respectively.

In terms of tourist attractions and beauty spots, you are also spoiled for choice. Some of the highlights, though, include Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architectural masterpiece Hill House and the Scottish Submarine Centre — the country's only submarine museum and education centre.

More information about Helensburgh, and the full list of the friendliest small towns to visit in Scotland, can be found on the TravelAwaits website.

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