Inchmahome Priory Car Park

The car park at Inchmahome Priory is your jumping-off point for one of Scotland's most atmospheric island ruins. You'll park, then walk down to the loch shore where a small ferry takes you across to the priory itself - a 13th-century Augustinian monastery that feels genuinely remote despite being accessible. The ruins sit on an island in the Lake of Menteith, so there's something properly romantic about the crossing alone.

Once you're there, you can wander the skeletal arches and crumbling cloisters at your own pace. It's not a massive site - you'll see the main church, the chapter house, and the dormitory remains in about an hour. History buffs will appreciate that Mary Queen of Scots was hidden here as a child; families find the boat journey more exciting than the ruins themselves, if I'm honest. The island's peaceful enough that you could easily spend longer just sitting by the water.

It's free to visit, though the ferry crossing costs a few quid. Spring and summer are best - midges can be brutal in late August. From Callander, you're only fifteen minutes' drive away, making it an easy addition to a park holiday at Callander Woods or Keltie Bridge. The walk from the car park to the jetty is gentle and takes about ten minutes. Allow two hours total if you're taking the ferry and having a proper look around. Worth the detour if you're after something quieter than the usual tourist spots.