Lord Sissonen

Head to Cairndow and you'll find Lord Sissonen - a proper nature reserve that gives you a real sense of what Argyll's wild side looks like. This is woodland and moorland country, the sort of place where you might spot red squirrels if you're lucky, and where the trees actually make you feel small. It's not a manicured attraction with visitor centres and gift shops. You come here to walk, to listen, to properly switch off.

The reserve works best for serious walkers and nature types rather than families after a quick hour's entertainment. Allow at least two hours if you want to see what it's about, longer if you're into bird spotting or photography. The terrain varies - some paths are straightforward, others demand decent boots and reasonable fitness. Bring a map or download the route beforehand because signage is minimal.

It fits perfectly into a caravan park break in the area. Strathlachlan and Glendaruel are both within three miles, so you could base yourself there and use Lord Sissonen as a proper morning or afternoon walk without faffing about with long drives. The nearby parks punch well above their weight for ratings, which tells you something about how seriously people take their Argyll breaks.

Best visited when the weather's decent - wet moorland loses its appeal fast. Spring and early autumn are your sweet spots. There's no admission fee as far as I can establish, which means you can dip in for just thirty minutes if you're passing through to Cairndow, though you'd be selling it short.