Faslane Peace Camp

The Peace Camp at Faslane sits right at the gates of one of Britain's most controversial military installations - a nuclear submarine base on the Clyde. What you'll find here is a long-standing protest encampment, essentially a semi-permanent village of activists who've been camped out since 1982. Some people find it compelling; others think it's quixotic. Either way, it's genuinely unusual.

You can walk around the perimeter and see the camp itself - makeshift shelters, banners, and the apparatus of sustained dissent. There's a real sense of commitment here, whether you agree with the cause or not. It's the kind of place that makes you think, which is probably the whole point. Free to visit, and you can turn up whenever - though daylight makes more sense if you want to actually see anything.

Historically minded visitors or anyone interested in protest movements will find it worthwhile. Kids might find it a bit baffling unless they're old enough to engage with the politics. Most people spend 20 minutes to an hour here, depending on how much you want to chat with residents or read the information boards.

Helensburgh is just down the road, making Faslane an easy stop during a broader explore of Argyll's coast. The nearby caravan parks at Rosneath Castle and Glenfinart are both solid bases if you're planning to spend a few days in the area. It's not a conventional tourist attraction, but it's honest and thought-provoking.