One of Glasgow's "crown jewels" has been officially recognised as Britain's Best Park 2007.
Pollok Country Park beat off tough competition from Gloucester, Chelmsford and London's King Edward Memorial Park to take the top prize.
The park's rich rural history, diverse environment and high levels of maintenance particularly impressed the judges. Part of the Old Pollok Estate, the ancestral home to the Maxwell family, the park includes the famous Burrell Collection and is spread over 361 acres. It attracts more than two million visitors each year.
The Britain's Best Parks competition was started in 2003 by engine manufacturer Briggs & Stratton. This is the second time a Scottish park has won the title: Hazelhead Park in Aberdeen won in 2004. Last year's winner was Lister Park in Bradford.
Pollok Country Park will now go forward to compete against parks from France, Germany, Sweden, Poland and Italy in the European Best Parks competition. The results will be announced in 2008.
Tony Boyle, manager of Pollok Park, said: "What we have here is unbelievable: outdoor activities, a stately home and one of the finest art collections in Europe. And the wonderful thing is it's free.
"For decades, Glasgow has been fighting a battle not to be seen as No Mean City'. This proves we are succeeding."
"Most of all, I think this award is down to (the commitment) of our staff."
Ian Small, sales manager for Briggs & Stratton, said: "To find a park like this right in the centre of a densely populated city is very unusual."
In a ceremony at Pollok House, the prize of a lawnmower was presented to Councillor Ruth Simpson, of the council's Land and Environment Services.
Ms Simpson said: "Pollok is just one of the many jewels in the city. We have so many different types park - Pollok is like the countryside, the Botanics is more formal, and Glasgow Green is for the big events. All our parks have different character."
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