Auchendores Reservoir

The water at Auchendores sits dark and still, hemmed in by moorland that rolls away to the horizon. It's a proper working reservoir - built to supply the area - but what matters is that it's become a peaceful spot for a walk, especially if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks around Loch Lomond.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, and that's rather the point. This is the kind of place you come to stretch your legs and clear your head, not to spend an afternoon queuing for ice cream. The walk around the perimeter takes about an hour depending on your pace, and you'll likely have it mostly to yourself outside peak season. The views aren't dramatic - no jagged peaks or tumbling waterfalls - but there's something restorative about the quiet.

It works best for walkers rather than families with small children, since there's not much to actually do once you've done the circuit. If you're staying at Lomond Woods or Stoneymollan down towards Alexandria, Auchendores makes a decent half-morning outing when the weather's decent. Bring proper shoes though - it can get boggy, and there's no one to ring if you turn your ankle on a hidden stone.

Worth adding to an itinerary? Yes, if you've got the time and you want something lower-key than the main Loch Lomond attractions. Skip it if you need guaranteed good views or entertainment for the kids.