Lord Magnar

Head inland from Cairndow and you'll find Lord Magnar, a proper working nature reserve that feels like it belongs to someone who actually cares about what's there. The reserve protects woodland and wetland habitats across a generous stretch of Argyll countryside - the sort of place where you might spot red squirrels if you're quiet enough, or catch sight of woodland birds flitting between the native trees.

It's best for folk who enjoy a genuine walk rather than a manicured visitor experience. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no faffing about - just access to the land itself. Depending on conditions and routes available, you could spend anywhere from an hour to half a day exploring. The wetland sections are particularly good for birdwatchers in spring and autumn when migration's happening.

Families with older kids will get on with it fine; younger ones might lose interest if the path gets boggy. Serious walkers and nature spotters will love the peace of it. Check locally about access before you arrive, as these things can change with the seasons.

If you're based at Strathlachlan or Glendaruel caravan parks - both only a few miles away - Lord Magnar makes a solid morning or afternoon excursion alongside Glen Kinglas or other local walks. It won't take a full day trip on its own, but as part of a wider Argyll ramble it's well worth the detour. The quiet here is genuinely restorative.