Beith Auld Kirk

The kirkyard at Beith sits quietly on the edge of town, and unless you're specifically after old Scottish churches, you might pass it by without noticing. But that would be a shame. Dating back centuries, this place has the sort of weathered gravestone collection that speaks volumes about local history - generations of the same family names carved into sandstone, some legible, others worn smooth by rain and time.

It's the kind of spot where you need to be genuinely interested in ecclesiastical architecture or genealogy to spend more than 20 minutes here. The church itself is typically locked unless there's a service on, so expect to view it from outside and potter about the graveyard reading inscriptions. That said, if you're the type who enjoys rubbing brass plates and deciphering old epitaphs, there's real character in the stones.

Lochwinnoch is just a short drive away, and if you're staying at The Pods at Auchenhean - a cracking spot by all accounts - you could easily tack this on to a broader afternoon exploring the area. The main draw would be combining it with walks around the loch itself or visiting other local attractions rather than treating it as a destination in its own right.

Free to visit, obviously. No formal hours mean you can slip in whenever. Go in decent weather - graveyards in Scottish drizzle have their charm, but it's not everyone's idea of a good afternoon out.