Strathclyde is the most populous and second largest Scottish region. With a population in excess of 2.5 million, including 1.2 million in the Greater Glasgow, Strathclyde is the home of one out of two Scots.
The region owes its name to the early medieval Kingdom of Strathclyde, originally known as Ystrad Clud (meaning 'Valley of the River Clyde') in the Brythonic language.
Strathclyde was created from the traditional counties of Glasgow, Ayr, Bute, Dunbarton, Lanark, and Renfrew, and parts of the counties of Argyll and Stirling. Since 1996, the area of the region has been divided between 12 council areas: Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow City, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, and West Dunbartonshire.
Three of Scotland's greatest castles opened to the public are located in Strathclyde: Inveraray Castle (official residence of the Duke of Argyll, chief of Clan Campbell), Culzean Castle (former home of the Marquess of Ailsa, the chief of Clan Kennedy), and Mount Stuart House (home of the Marquess of Bute).
Other notable attractions include Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond (Britain's largest lake), the Oban whisky distillery, the scenic ruins of Kilchurn Castle at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, and Dumbarton Castle, the oldest stronghold in Britain.