The Clyde Estuary

North Bank
To reach the north bank of the Clyde estuary, you can take the A82 west out of Glasgow (at the busy Anniesland Cross in the West End) or continue along the M8 on the south of the river and take the M898 over Erskine Bridge.  The A82 passes through Dumbarton, not a tourist venue except for Dumbarton Castle, and continues to Helensburgh, the latter being the birthplace of John Logie Baird (inventor of TV) and Charles Rennie Makintosh who designed the Art Nouveau Hill House in the town - its exterior and interior are amazing - well worth the trip from Glasgow. 

South Bank
The airport is accessed from the M8 west of Glasgow on the south bank and the motorway then takes you past Paisley, formerly a flourishing textile town and home of the 'Paisley Pattern'.  The refurbishment of the 12th century Paisley Abbey was completed in 1928 and it features some of the best stained-glass windows and the 10th century Celtic St. Barochan cross.

Further along the M8, you reach Greenock, once a flourishing shipbuilding town.  The views from Greenock towards the lochs and mountains are stupendous and can be appreciated best by taking a cruise from Victoria harbour to Dunoon, Rothesay on Bute, Tighnabruiach on the Kyles of Bute, Tarbert on Loch Fyne and Lochranza on Arran.  Ferries also run from Gourock, 3 miles further west, to places such as Dunoon, Kilcreggan and Helensburgh.  A few miles south lies Inverkip with its popular marina and south of that, Wemyss Bay from where the ferry sails to Rothesay on Bute.