Shell beach

Two miles south of Tarbert, Shell Beach is exactly what its name suggests - a sweep of shore composed almost entirely of crushed shells and bleached stone rather than sand. It's an unusual sight on the Argyll coast, and worth a detour if you're in the area, though I'd manage expectations about the swimming.

The beach itself is compact and fairly exposed, which means it's not the most sheltered spot when the wind picks up. What makes it distinctive is the sheer volume of shell fragments underfoot - everything from razor shells to cockle shells to fragments you won't immediately recognise. Kids tend to enjoy poking about here, examining the debris. Adults with a geological interest will find it properly fascinating.

You can walk the length of it in about twenty minutes, though the pebbled surface is tougher on the feet than proper sand. There's no facilities at the beach itself, so plan accordingly. It's free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter storms can shift the shells around considerably.

For a park-based holiday in the area, it's a convenient stop between The Gather and Tarbert Holiday Park - both are just a few minutes' drive away. Combine it with a walk around Tarbert itself or a spin down to Loch Fyne for something more substantial. Shell Beach works best as a short leg-stretch rather than a half-day destination, but it's different enough from typical Scottish beaches to warrant the quick visit.