Loch Leven Castle

Getting to Loch Leven Castle means taking a boat - and that's rather the point. The ruin sits on an island in the middle of the loch, roughly fifteen minutes by ferry from Kinross, and the journey itself is half the appeal. You'll see the castle rise up from the water as you approach, its stone walls looking properly austere against the open Scottish landscape.

Once you're across, what remains is a 14th-century keep with a fair bit of history attached. Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned here for eleven months before her escape in 1568 - a fact that gives the crumbling rooms more weight than a straightforward tour might suggest. The views across the water back towards Kinross are genuinely good, and the walk around the island takes about forty minutes at a gentle pace.

It's ideal for anyone with an interest in Scottish history, and families with older kids will manage the ferry and the ruins without too much fuss. Younger children might find it a bit sparse and windswept. Allow a couple of hours including the crossing times - the ferry doesn't run constantly, so check schedules beforehand.

If you're basing yourselves at Gallowhill Caravan and Camping Park just outside Kinross, the castle makes an easy half-day excursion. The town itself is functional rather than charming, but the loch has a certain bleak beauty that grows on you. Worth the detour if castles and water views are your thing.