Old Glenan village

The ruins of Old Glenan village sit quietly on the Argyll coast, a short drive from Tarbert, and they're worth stopping for if you're already exploring the area. What you'll find is essentially a scatter of stone foundations and walls - the remains of what was once a proper working community, now returned to moorland and salt air.

You're looking at abandoned crofts and farm buildings, probably medieval in origin though occupied well into more recent times. There's no visitor centre or interpretation boards, so you'll need to use your imagination a bit, but that's rather the point. The setting itself does most of the talking - windswept, remote, with views across the water. History types will find it genuinely interesting; families with young kids might get restless after twenty minutes unless the weather's kind and there's room to wander.

Allow an hour to potter about and take a few photographs. It's free to visit, naturally, and there are no opening hours - you turn up when you like. The walk from the car park involves a bit of rough ground, so sturdy shoes are essential rather than optional.

If you're based at The Gather or Tarbert Holiday Park, this works as a half-hour detour during a day exploring the Kintyre peninsula. Pair it with a proper walk elsewhere - there's plenty of coastal path in the area - rather than treating it as a destination in itself. Real appeal lies in its isolation and the fact you've stumbled somewhere most tourists never reach.