Sheilhill Glen

The path up Sheilhill Glen starts innocently enough from near Helensburgh, but within twenty minutes you're properly into it - steep, mossy, and lined with birch trees that drip moisture even on dry days. The glen itself is a narrow wooded ravine that cuts through Argyll's landscape like something carved out by a giant's hand, water running dark over rocks at the bottom. You'll see ferns unfurling at every level, the occasional fallen tree creating natural obstacles, and if you're lucky, the flash of a wood pigeon bolting from the undergrowth. It's not a long walk, but it's relentless - the kind of place that leaves your legs burning and your boots muddy within the first half-hour.

This appeals most to walkers who like a bit of grit rather than manicured trails. History types won't find much in the way of ruins or plaques, but there's something satisfying about the raw geology on display - real Argyll rather than postcard Argyll. Families with capable older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might struggle with the gradient and the lack of a proper path in places. Allow around two hours for the round trip, including a breather at the top.

It slots well into a broader Helensburgh visit. The nearby holiday parks - Beach House Pods and Hunters Quay Holiday Village - put you within striking distance of this and other local walks without feeling like you've driven hours to nowhere. Spring and autumn are best; winter can be treacherously slippery, and summer midges make a slow ascent rather unpleasant. Free to visit, naturally.