Dunadd Car Park

The car park itself isn't the draw - it's what sits above it. Dunadd Fort looms on a rocky outcrop just a short walk from where you've parked near Lochgilphead, and it's one of those places that properly rewards the modest effort to get up there. The hillfort dates back to around 500 AD, which means you're standing in a spot that mattered when the Kingdom of Dál Riata was actually a thing worth defending. The views across the Moine Mhor (Great Moss) are genuinely lovely, especially on clear days when you can see right across Argyll.

The walk takes maybe 20 minutes from the car park, though the final push is a bit steep and the footpath gets muddy after rain. Once you're up top, there's a palm print carved into one of the stones - locals reckon it's ancient, though honestly it's hard to tell. History enthusiasts will find it fascinating; families with young kids might find the climb tedious and the site itself feels empty compared to more visitor-friendly forts. There's no visitor centre, no café, just you and the weather and 1,500 years of Scottish history.

Come early morning or late afternoon to avoid the rare but possible crowds. It's free and open whenever you fancy, which is both brilliant and a bit wild. The Pod Over By, just a mile away, is a cracking base for exploring this stretch of Argyll - proper accommodation if you're not keen on tent pegs. Worth the detour if you're already in the area; don't drive two hours just for this.