Stonefield Castle Hotel

The drive to Stonefield Castle winds through Argyll's rough moorland before the place suddenly comes into view - a proper Victorian castle done up as a hotel, all turrets and stone grandeur overlooking Loch Fyne. You're not here to tour rooms like some stately home; this is an actual functioning hotel with a restaurant, so unless you're staying or dining, there's not much to see from the grounds. That said, the setting is genuinely striking, and it's worth a detour if you're staying nearby to snatch some photographs from the approach road.

The castle itself dates back to the 1880s and was built by an architect called Campbell Douglas for a chap called Jared Lyle. It's one of those Romantic revival affairs that peppers the Scottish west coast - all towers and crenellations with zero apology for being thoroughly theatrical. The location is the real draw: perched above the loch with views that shift depending on light and weather.

If you're based at The Gather or Tarbert Holiday Park - both within easy driving distance - Stonefield makes a decent reconnaissance mission. Pop over for lunch or an afternoon walk around the policies if the hotel permits it (best to ring ahead). The nearest town is Tarbert, about fifteen minutes away, so it's convenient without feeling touristy. Solo diners and couples will find it properly relaxing; families might find the formal dining setup a touch stiff unless the kids are old enough to sit still for three courses. Worth the visit more for the exterior drama and setting than anything you'll do inside.