St Molios Church

The walk to St Molios Church on the Isle of Arran takes you through proper coastal scenery - moorland dropping down to the Firth of Clyde with Kintyre visible across the water. The church itself is small and whitewashed, sitting in its own quiet graveyard with views that frankly outdo most Scottish churches three times its size.

It's a 12th-century building, though what strikes you first isn't the age but the simplicity. No gift shop, no crowds, no interpretation boards telling you what to think. Just a functioning church where locals still worship, which means you're seeing how it actually works rather than how it's been preserved for tourists.

The real pull here is the walk itself. Allow a couple of hours there and back from Shiskine village, and bring decent boots - the path gets boggy after rain and the wind cuts across the moorland without mercy. It's not difficult, but it's exposed. History buffs will appreciate the medieval stonework and the local connections, but honestly, families with young kids might find it underwhelming once they've reached it - the church takes five minutes to view properly.

If you're staying at Kings Caves Glamping nearby, this makes a solid half-day excursion between exploring the rest of Arran's coast. Go on a clear day when you can actually see the views across the water. Arriving in mist rather defeats the purpose, and trust me, Arran gets plenty of that.