Shandon Motte

You'll find yourself climbing a steep grass mound just outside Helensburgh - that's Shandon Motte, what remains of a Norman fortification that's been quietly sitting in the Argyll landscape for nearly a thousand years. The motte itself is the real thing: a proper earthwork, around 40 feet high, with traces of a bailey beside it if you know what you're looking at.

The walk up is short but the views across the Clyde are genuinely worth the huff. On a clear day you can see right across to the hills beyond. There's not much to see once you're at the top - no castle, no stones - just the shape of what was. That said, for anyone interested in medieval archaeology or Scottish history, it's a compelling spot. Kids might find the scramble fun for twenty minutes, but there's no facilities, no interpretation boards, and frankly if you're after dramatic ruins you'll be disappointed.

It's free to visit and takes maybe half an hour if you're thorough. Spring or early summer works best when the grass is manageable and the light's decent for photographs.

If you're based at Rosneath Castle Caravan Park or Glenfinart just down the road, it's a decent half-hour excursion to break up a day. Worth the detour if you're already exploring the Helensburgh area, but don't plan a trip around it alone.