Mugdock Country Park

The ruins of Mugdock Castle dominate this sprawling country park just north of Glasgow, and they're genuinely worth the detour if you're base camping at The WHW Hotel nearby. What you get is proper Scottish castle bones - crumbling sandstone walls, a decent gatehouse, and views that stretch across the Campsies. The park itself runs to 170-odd acres, so there's plenty of walking to be done beyond just poking around the castle remains.

Families with primary-school kids will get a solid couple of hours out of this. The ruins are climbable (carefully), there are forest trails that don't demand fell-walking fitness, and the open spaces mean children can run without parents having a nervous breakdown. Older visitors keen on Scottish archaeology will appreciate the sheer age of the place - we're talking medieval fortifications with later additions. It's free to wander, which is the main thing.

Timing-wise, spring through early autumn is best. Winter muddles the paths something fierce. Allow two hours minimum if you're just doing the castle and a quick loop, three or four if you fancy the longer woodland walks. The Stirling area has good shelter options if weather turns, and Glasgow's close enough for a rainy-day backup. It's the kind of spot that slots neatly into a longer park stay without feeling obligatory - good bones, doesn't take over your whole day, and the walk itself is the point rather than queuing at a visitor centre.