Ballygowan

You'll find Ballygowan tucked away in the hills inland from Lochgilphead, and it's one of those archaeological sites that rewards curiosity more than casual passing. This is a Bronze Age cup-and-ring marked rock - essentially a massive stone covered in mysterious prehistoric carvings that archaeologists reckon are around 4,000 years old. The markings themselves are hypnotic: concentric circles and cup-shaped indentations pecked into the stone, the kind of thing that makes you wonder what on earth they meant to the people who made them.

It's a proper trudge to reach it - expect muddy paths and no obvious signposting, so you'll need decent walking boots and a decent sense of direction (or a phone with GPS). The journey itself is half the appeal, winding through Argyll's landscape before you stumble upon this raw bit of Neolithic expression. You could spend ten minutes photographing it or an hour puzzling over the patterns. For history types and archaeology enthusiasts, it's fascinating. For young kids expecting something spectacular, it'll be a bit of a letdown - it's a rock, at the end of the day, even if it is an impressive one.

If you're staying at The Pod Over By nearby, you're well-placed for exploring the deeper corners of Argyll. Free to visit, no entry fees, and the best time to go is after rain when the rock is wet and the carvings become more visible. Allow a couple of hours including the walk.