Tarbert

Mountains rise straight from the sea here, creating one of Scotland's most dramatic coastal settings. Tarbert sits at the head of East Loch Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsula, where fishing boats still work from the harbour that's been the town's lifeblood for centuries.

The Harbour Gallery showcases local artists' work, while The Art Studio offers a more contemporary take on the area's creative scene. Both capture the raw beauty of this landscape where peaks like Dubh Chreag and Meall Reamhar dominate the skyline. Tarbert Parish Church anchors the town centre, its stone walls weathered by Atlantic storms.

Shell beach provides a gentler side to the coastline - proper sand rather than the rocky shores that characterise much of Kintyre. From Franny's View Point, the vista stretches across the loch to Jura's distinctive Paps. The JR Viewpoint Trail at nearby Portavadie offers an even better perspective, though it's a bit of a trek.

Croft Park nature reserve protects a slice of the area's native woodland. The surrounding hills - Stob Odhar, Meall Mor, and the twin Cruach peaks - offer serious walking for those with proper boots and a head for heights.

Getting here means following the A83 down the Kintyre Peninsula from Glasgow, roughly two and a half hours by car. The nearest rail connection is Ardrossan, then ferry to Brodick and another ferry crossing - hardly convenient but part of the adventure.

Staying at one of the holiday parks around Tarbert puts you right in the heart of this landscape. The town makes an excellent base for exploring both sides of Kintyre, with Campbeltown to the south and the Crinan Canal to the northeast.