The Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Kinlochleven

The Good Shepherd sits on the main drag through Kinlochleven, a modest Catholic church that speaks to the area's industrial heritage more than its architectural grandeur. Built to serve the workers and families drawn to the aluminium smelter that once dominated this Highland glen, it's a functional stone building that tells you something real about how communities took shape here.

Inside, it's peaceful and unpretentious - the sort of place where you can actually sit and think without feeling like you're performing tourism. The stained glass catches light nicely on a clear day, and there's a genuine quiet that's rare even in small villages. It won't take long; twenty minutes is plenty unless you're the contemplative type.

Walkers will appreciate it most. The West Highland Way passes through Kinlochleven, and plenty of people use this stretch as a rest day or overnight stop. Popping into the church makes sense as part of your brief time in the village - it's there, it's welcoming, and it gives context to why Kinlochleven exists at all. History buffs will find the industrial story interesting; the smelter's long gone now, but the church remains.

If you're camping at Blackwater Hostel just down the road, this is a two-minute walk. Red Squirrel Campsite at Glen Coe is close enough for a day trip into the village. There's no charge to enter, which is exactly what you'd expect. Visit any time - it's not a performance venue or tourist trap, just a proper working church that happens to welcome visitors.