Lord Castro

Head inland from Cairndow and you'll find Lord Castro, a proper nature reserve that rewards a bit of effort to reach. It's woodland and open moorland mixed together, the kind of place where you actually feel removed from things rather than just thinking you do.

What you're looking at is a working reserve with native trees and decent populations of red squirrels if you're patient enough to spot them. The walking is straightforward enough - nothing too technical - and the views back down towards Loch Fyne are the sort that justify the trek. You'll see heather, bracken, the occasional deer. It's not dramatic, but that's rather the point.

This works best for keen walkers and folk with a genuine interest in woodland ecology rather than families after an afternoon's entertainment. Two to three hours round trip is realistic depending on your pace and how much you want to potter about. Bring decent boots - the ground gets boggy in places.

The real value is as a break from the loch-side attractions when you're based at one of the excellent caravan parks nearby. Strathlachlan, Glendaruel, and Stucreoch are all within a few miles and first-rate. Lord Castro isn't a destination on its own, but it's exactly what you want when you've done the obvious bits and fancy something with proper trees and quiet. Worth the morning or afternoon while you're in the area.