Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve (Inchcailloch)

The island of Inchcailloch sits in the middle of Loch Lomond, accessible by boat from Balmaha on the eastern shore - a proper adventure if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots or the Milarrochy Bay site. This is the centrepiece of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve, and it's worth the trip across the water to explore the woodland trails and feel properly remote despite being less than an hour from Glasgow.

The island itself is small enough to walk around in a couple of hours, with a ruined 14th-century nunnery at its heart and forest paths that wind through native oak and birch. The views across the loch back towards Ben Lomond are decent, though you're paying for the journey rather than a spectacle. History enthusiasts will find the religious ruins interesting; families with younger kids might find the walk a bit samey after the first thirty minutes.

It's free to visit, but you'll need to book passage with a boatman from Balmaha - factor in about an hour each way including the crossing. Summer weekends get busy, so midweek visits feel less crowded. If you're based at Loch Lomond Retreat or Duncan Family Farms' glamping pods, this slots nicely into a longer day exploring the reserve's woodland walks and shoreline spots without the ferry cost.

The real value here is peace and isolation rather than dramatic scenery. Go if you like quiet corners and don't mind a boat ride.