River Leven

The River Leven connects Loch Lomond to the Clyde, and if you're staying at one of the holiday parks near Balloch, you'll almost certainly cross it without thinking twice. Worth stopping for, though. The river itself is narrow and fast-moving, quite different from the vast loch it drains - proper energetic water that cuts through woodland and marshland on its way downstream.

Walkers get the most from it. There's a decent path that runs alongside the river for a couple of miles, and it's genuinely pleasant - the kind of walk where you might spot roe deer if you're lucky and quiet enough. The riverbanks are tree-lined, which means it stays green and damp even in dry spells. Not dramatic, but absorbing in the way Scottish water often is.

It's free to access and you can spend anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours depending on how far you fancy walking. The nearest point is Balloch itself, which is where you'll find the entrance to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. If you're based at Loch Lomond Retreat or other nearby parks, this makes an easy leg-stretcher before heading onto the loch proper. Kids under ten might get restless after an hour - there's not much to do except walk and look. Teenagers and adults who actually enjoy a riverside ramble will find it worth the time. Best in spring when the water level's up and the woods are coming alive.