Balloch Castle Country Park

The castle itself is long gone, but what remains is a proper reward for the short walk from Balloch village. You're looking at Victorian ruins set within 200 acres of parkland that slopes down to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond - the sort of spot that makes you understand why people moved here centuries ago.

It's a straightforward twenty-minute amble from the car park to the castle remains. The path winds through mixed woodland, and there are benches scattered about if you fancy a sit-down and a flask halfway. Once you reach the ruin itself, the views across the loch open right up. On a clear day you can see proper distance.

Historically minded types will get a kick from the 15th-century origins, though don't expect much interpretation on site - it's more about the walk and the setting than a detailed heritage experience. Families with younger kids find it manageable, though there's nothing to keep them occupied once they've climbed the walls and run about for ten minutes. Older walkers and photographers will linger longer.

Free entry, as far as I can tell. Allow an hour if you're taking photographs or want to properly soak in the surroundings. It combines well with a stay at Loch Lomond Retreat just up the road - you're barely half a mile away - or any of the other parks dotted around the loch. Come in spring or early autumn. Summer weekends bring the crowds, and winter can be muddy underfoot.