Glasgow's west end is one of the most desirable areas of the city in which to live. At one time it was the preserve of the social elite who were able to afford its fine traditional houses of solid, sandstone

construction, many of which are of architectural note.

With its main arterial road, the

elegant Great Western Road, cutting a swathe right through the west end, the surrounding streets are distinctive

and leafy.

Follow this great tree-lined route out of town, and in no time you can branch off towards the Campsie Fells or the Trossachs, or continue straight ahead, on the short journey which leads to that glorious triangle of roads linking lochs Lomond and Long, and the Gareloch. Remain on the A82, and it will ultimately lead you via Glencoe, the Great Glen and Loch Ness, to Scotland's newest city and capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

Recent years though, have considerably extended the west end's appeal, with a range of modern - mainly

flatted - developments, becoming available to the public, which it seems has hardly been able to contain itself in its rush to acquire a property in these desirable environs.

The west end has several ''urban

villages'' within it, in addition to the hub of Byres Road, with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, great shopping, a theatre, cinema, restaurants, cafes, bars and many other amenities.

There are lots of shops on Great Western Road itself, both at the city end and at Anniesland, while Hyndland Road boasts an excellent variety of retailers whose ranks extend down Clarence Drive and into sections of Crow Road.

The Botanic Gardens and other green places are within the west end, and sporting and gym facilities are readily available. The further attractions of the city centre are easily and quickly reached, either by car or by excellent public transport links.

The Western Infirmary sits at the foot of Byres Road, next to its close neighbour, Glasgow University at Gilmorehill, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. The Kelvin Hall is just across Dumbarton Road. The River Kelvin meanders through this area, watering the lush green banks as it burbles happily on its way to the Clyde.

It is not surprising then, that people are so keen to live here.

Adam (Scotland) has successfully constructed a number of apartment developments in the west end over recent years, with many flats selling from plan, according to David Nelson, the company's chairman and managing director.

Past developments have included Westside Gardens, set on a triangular area of land between Hyndland Road and Partickhill Road; Lauderdale Mansions at Novar Drive, and Kingsborough Gate at the corner of Crown Road North and Prince Albert Road.

Currently under construction in Kelvinside is 46 Cleveden Road, where Adam is building an exclusive development, sympathetic to the

surrounding architectural panorama of blonde sandstone and slated roofs.

There are just 14 apartments: 12 of three bedrooms in three different styles. There are two penthouses, one of three bedrooms, one of two public rooms, four bedrooms and a large

dining kitchen. Already, half of the apartments, including a penthouse

at #445,000 have already been reserved, and completion is expected to be in May.

All the properties will have the benefit of south-facing balconies of good size, accessed by patio doors from their lounges - several have excellent views across the city. Every apartment has its own dedicated parking space, located in a secure underground car park. Access is via an electronically operated remote-control entrance; a lift serves all floors, and there is a video door entry system to protect the apartments.

All properties here have integrated AEG appliances in the kitchen/dining area; an ornate carved mantelpiece and marble fireplace with living flame gas fire in the lounge; fully fitted co-ordinated bathrooms and en suite shower rooms. Television and telephone points are supplied in the lounge, kitchen and master bedroom; smoke detectors are fitted, and there's the option of a cable television network. Period-style cornicing, moulded skirtings and facings, enhance the look of quality.

Outside, the entrance driveway will have monoblock paving, with the open-plan front and rear gardens laid out with landscaping which will include feature rock-planted areas, turf, shrubs and trees.

David Nelson says: ''Conveniently situated in Kelvinside, this development, with its thoughtfully designed room shapes creating an atmosphere of space and elegance, is one of quality and unashamed luxury.

''The underground parking, given all the problems of parking in the west end, always proves to be an immediate attraction to people.''

Prices at 46 Cleveden Road start from #205,000. Further information from the sales office, open Friday and Saturday, 11am-5pm, telephone 0141 357 4546.

Morrison Homes has launched a new development at Anniesland, to the north- west of the city, as it continues its expansion into Glasgow.

The Waterways, offering 112 properties in styles which will include two and three-bedroom apartments and terraced homes, overlooks the Forth and Clyde Canal, which has undergone a face-lifting transformation in recent times.

Upgraded canal paths and cycle tracks lead to the west end of the city, with the appealing prospect of enabling walkers and cyclists to keep well away from

traffic routes while enjoying their leisure time. But more of that later.

First occupancies at The Waterways, are expected in August 2001, with prices ranging from #75,000-#130,000. Steven Allenby, sales and marketing manager at Morrison Homes, says: ''The Waterways is another significant development for Morrison's in Glasgow.

''The mix of properties will be appealing to a wide market, and we are confident that given the current demand for properties in the west end, combined with our fixed prices, it will sell out very quickly.''

Sales at The Waterways are being handled by Clyde Property's new homes division, through its west end and Bearsden offices. Gary Thomson, Clyde Property's new homes managing director, comments: ''Morrison Homes has acquired an unique site which, once completed, will offer residents proximity to the west end, either by rail, bus or car.

''Excellent local amenities include the soon-to-be-opened #13m Next Generation sports centre, and a recently built Safeway supermarket. The apartments and houses, contemporarily styled, are designed to attract professional couples and families who have either been 'priced out' of traditional areas in the west end, or simply not been catered for until now.''

Further information is available

from Clyde Property on 0141 576 0777, or from Morrison Homes on 0131

343 1000.

Westpoint Homes' development at Two Berkeley Street (next to the Mitchell Library), is now sold out. Over just one weekend, the builder sold a staggering 41 of the 48 apartments.

Now, work is continuing apace at the second phase of Westpoint's Kelvin

Park development, where 69 apartments are under construction, at the junction

of Kelvinhaugh Street and Lymburn Street.

Offering a choice of two and three-bedroom apartments, the development - which is well placed for Byres Road, Glasgow University, the Western Infirmary and Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - also has a small selection of four-bedroom duplex apartments for sale.

Master bedrooms all have en suite facilities, and the flats feature hardwood laminate flooring in kitchens, halls,

sitting rooms and bathrooms, while the bedroom and en suite floors will be covered with 100% wool carpeting. In excess of 100% parking is being provided within the development, in well landscaped courtyards.

The apartments - with a price range from #112,500 to #178,000 - are certainly state-of-the-art when it comes to technology: each will have an internet-ready telecommunication and IT infrastructure, providing free 24-hour internet access; two telephone lines; and cable television through NTL, with seven extra channels, provided free for the first year.

Graham McNeill, Westpoint's marketing manager, comments: ''The sales rate at Two Berkeley Street was quite remarkable, and we're confident that phase two at Kelvin Park will attract the same level of interest.''

Mary Robertson, sales executive, explains: ''Buyers have been mostly professionals, and parents with

children at Glasgow University.

People know they have to move fast

if they want one of these properties,

as the sales situation is changing all the time.''

Further information from Westpoint's sales cabin on site, which is open seven days, from 11am-5.30pm, telephone 0141 586 5678. An unfurnished showflat is expected to open for viewing early next month, and by late February, a fully furnished flat will be available for inspection.

Adjacent to Anniesland railway station, fronting Great Western Road, Strathclyde Homes anticipates an early sales launch for the development of the former 1940s single screen cinema, into 45 luxury apartments.

The grade B-listed art deco facade, a well-known landmark, will be retained. The rear of the building will undergo rebuilding and conversion which will create apartments of one, two and three-bedrooms, as well as a double-storey penthouse with private balconies and terraces.

The apartments - where first occupations are expected to be around autumn 2001 - will all have en suite facilities, cloakrooms and utility rooms. The development is ideally located for all forms of public transport, and is conveniently close also, to a wide range of shops and amenities. It is anticipated that prices will range from around #97,000 to #300,000.

Further information from Strathclyde Homes on 0141 221 7001, or visit the company's website on www.strathclydehomes.co.uk.

Bett Homes expects to open a sales office at Academy Park on Anniesland Road shortly. The new site is adjacent to Bett's existing development, The Laurels, at Jordanhill, which is now sold out.

Academy Park will offer a wide range of more than 230 homes, from two and three-bedroom apartments,

to imposing four and five-bedroom villas.

The Galleries, as the apartments are to be known, will offer the market 127 units, in five specially designed styles for this location, each of which has been called after a local art gallery or museum. It is proposed that the apartments will be built in phases.

They will offer spacious two and three-bedrooms properties, with en suite facilities for the master bedrooms, and wardrobes in all bedrooms; the en suite and bathrooms will both have vanity furniture; lounges have dining areas; kitchens will be fully fitted, and come complete with a range of integrated appliances. Some apartments will have bay windows - a feature which will be dependent on location.

Private parking facilities will also be provided at the development.

Prices for the apartments will range from #86,995 for the two-bedroom Kibble, to #114,995 for The Burrell, which has three bedrooms.

The house styles to be built at Academy Park come from Bett's Grand Homes range. On offer will be the four-bedroom, three public room Perth style, and the five-bedroom, three public room Braemar.

Among the main features of this Grand Homes range, are higher

ceilings, master and guest bedrooms with en suite facilities; large family bathrooms; a downstairs cloakroom/wc; larger kitchens with breakfasting areas, and integral double garages.

House prices will range from #225,000 to #265,000.

Kareen Davidson, sales director at Bett Homes says: ''We have ensured that there is a wide variety of designs on offer, which will appeal to a broad spectrum of homebuyers, including couples and professionals who are looking to move within close proximity to the city centre.

''Our experience,'' Ms Davidson continues, ''is that people are looking for larger villas and apartments which offer more flexibility and space, whether it is to use the additional rooms for guests, or for working from home.'' Properties at Academy Park will be available for general release on Monday, February 5, and the contact telephone number will be: 0141 954 7621.

The Forth & Clyde Canal, an increasingly attractive leisure facility with much more promise yet to come, has been receiving close attention at its Glasgow end of the Millennium Link, with the focus on three sites at Cleveden Road, Great Western Road/Clobberhill, and Duntreath Avenue.

The canal has been undergoing a massive regeneration in recent years.

This year promises to become one of the most important in the UK canal network's history, when the opening of the Forth & Clyde in spring, will mark the first of three canal landmark events north of the border.

By late summer, the opening of the Union Canal will signal the completion of the second phase of the Millennium Link project. The final connection, expected at the end of the year, will join the two Lowland canals via the spectacular Falkirk Wheel, and create a link broken more than 60 years ago, between east and west.

The ambitious #78m project has been funded by a partnership which includes the Millennium Commission and the European Regional Development Fund.

The reconnected canals will open to the public in early 2002, offering the potential for small craft to use the waterway, and allowing walkers and cyclists to enjoy traffic-free relaxation along their banks.An added pleasure for those using the towpaths, is the proliferation of wildlife which can be observed along the waterway.

All this, together with the ease with which people can access the wider

countryside from the west end of Glasgow, make this prestigious and desirable locale endlessly popular as a place in which to live.

And of course, the city centre, whether for work, shopping or pleasure, is

minutes away, which has the considerable bonus for many, of no tedious hours of commuting.