Ardnoe Point

The view from Ardnoe Point hits you straight away - proper sweeping vistas across the water with Kintyre's hills rising in the distance. It's a straightforward spot near Lochgilphead, the kind of place where you can pull up, unfold a blanket, and spend a couple of hours without fussing about. The point juts out enough to feel like you've gone somewhere, even though it's only minutes from town.

Bring a flask and sandwiches. The picnic infrastructure is basic - you're not getting fancy facilities here - but that's rather the point. It works for families wanting an easy afternoon without having to trek miles, and for walkers doing the longer Argyll coastal routes who need a proper sit-down break. Allow an hour or so if you're eating properly, half that if you're just stopping for photos.

Late spring through early autumn is best, when you've got decent weather and the light stays good into evening. Winter's bleak and windswept, though some people like that kind of drama.

If you're based at The Pod Over By down the road - a five-mile hop away - this works as an easy morning out before exploring the wider Argyll hills. It's not a destination in itself, but it slots perfectly into a proper park holiday where you're using a base to explore the surrounding area. The point itself takes twenty minutes to wander around fully. Worth the detour if you're passing through Lochgilphead, but don't reroute your entire day for it.