Appin

Castle Stalker rises from the waters of Loch Laich like something from a fairy tale, its medieval towers reflected perfectly on still mornings. This is Appin at its most dramatic - a landscape where mountains tumble into sea lochs and every view feels worthy of a postcard.

The village sits in the shadow of proper Highland peaks. Beinn Sgulaird looms to the north, while Airds Hill offers a gentler climb with cracking views across the loch. For those after a real challenge, Beinn Sgluich and Meall Garbh provide serious hillwalking territory.

Appin's history runs deep through Jacobite country. The Stewarts of Appin Culloden Memorial marks where local clansmen fell in that final doomed charge, while the Battle of Stalc Monument recalls an earlier clash. Both Appin Church and Holy Cross Church anchor the community's quieter spiritual side.

Beneath the surface, literally, lies a network of caves that spelunkers rate highly. Rowantree Cave and Uamh Coire Sheileach are the most accessible, though the wonderfully named Bitchlicking Hole requires proper gear and local knowledge.

Getting here means driving the A828 from Oban - about 20 minutes of stunning lochside road that's half the pleasure. The nearest proper town is Oban itself, with its ferries and bustle, making Appin feel wonderfully remote by comparison.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks puts you right in the heart of this landscape. Wake up to mountain views, spend days exploring castles and caves, then return to your pitch as the sun sets over the loch. It's Highland Scotland at its most accessible.