Ganavan

The beach at Ganavan, just north of Oban, is one of those places that catches you off guard with how good it actually is. A proper sandy stretch backed by rocky outcrops and grassland, it's the sort of spot where you can potter about for hours without feeling like you've overstayed your welcome. The walk down takes maybe ten minutes from the car park, and the paths are well-maintained without being fussy about it.

What makes it work is the variety. Families with young children get a safe bathing area and enough sand to keep them occupied. Walkers use it as a starting point for longer coastal rambles along the headland, where the views back towards Oban are genuinely worth the extra leg work. The rocky pools at either end pull in the naturalist crowd, and birdwatchers reckon the reserve is decent for spotting seabirds, especially in autumn.

It's free to visit, though the car park may have a small charge - worth checking before you arrive. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're combining it with a coastal walk, or just an hour if you're after a quick beach fix. Summer weekends get busy, so aim for quieter times if you can. For caravan stays in the area, Oban Holiday Park and North Ledaig Caravan Park sit within easy striking distance, making this a logical half-day break from base camp. Don't expect dramatic cliffs or headline-grabbing geology - this is understated Argyll done right.