Kelly Reservior

Kelly Reservoir sits about four miles north of Dunoon, a proper working water supply that's somehow managed to become rather pleasant for a walk. The loch itself is straightforward - a long, narrow body of water surrounded by coniferous woodland and rolling hills that get properly moody when the cloud rolls in off the Firth of Clyde.

You won't find much in the way of facilities here, which is honestly part of its appeal. There's a decent walking path that circuits the water, taking the best part of an hour if you don't dawdle. The views across to the Cowal Peninsula are decent enough on a clear day, though this part of Argyll seems to spend half the year wrapped in drizzle. It's the sort of place where you come to clear your head rather than to tick off a box.

Walkers will get the most from Kelly - it's exactly the kind of straightforward loch walk that punctuates a proper holiday in this part of Argyll. Families might find an hour of it enough before heading back towards town. There's no admission charge and no formal opening hours; just turn up, park sensibly, and go for it.

If you're based at Beach House Pods nearby, this would slot nicely into a morning or afternoon, though I wouldn't rearrange your plans specifically to visit. It's more of a pleasant addition to exploring the Cowal Peninsula than a destination in itself. The real value is in combining it with walks around Dunoon and the coastal paths hereabouts.