Highland Mary Statue

A bronze figure stands on the hillside above Dunoon, gazing out across the Firth of Clyde - this is Highland Mary, immortalised in sculpture. She's Robert Burns's great love, the woman who inspired some of his most tender verses, and this statue marks where they're said to have exchanged vows by the banks of the Ayr back in the 1780s. It's a modest affair by sculpture standards, but the setting is what matters here.

The real pull is the walk up to reach her. You'll get proper views across the water to the Cowal Peninsula, and on a clear day the vista alone justifies the short trek. History buffs will appreciate the connection to Burns - Scotland's national poet remains endlessly fascinating - though you don't need to care about the romance to enjoy standing up there with the wind off the water.

Allow thirty minutes or so, depending on your pace and whether you linger for the view. It's free to visit, which is just as well since there's little in the way of facilities. Families with young kids might find it a bit of an anticlimax if they're expecting something more dramatic, though the hike itself keeps things interesting.

If you're staying at Hunters Quay Holiday Village or Beach House Pods nearby, it's an easy addition to your day - pair it with a wander around Dunoon itself or combine it with the coastal paths that web the area. Don't come expecting grandeur. Come for the leg-stretch and the local history.