Old Parish Church (Loch Awe, Inishail)

You'll need a boat to reach this one, which immediately sets it apart from the usual Scottish church tourism. The Old Parish Church sits on Inishail, a small island in Loch Awe, and getting there involves either hiring a private boat or catching one of the occasional passenger services from the mainland. It's genuinely peaceful once you arrive - the kind of place where you actually hear yourself think.

The church itself dates back centuries, with a proper sense of age about it. The graveyard is atmospheric without being maudlin, and there's something quite moving about standing on an island looking back at the Argyll hills. It's not a major showstopper - you won't spend hours here - but if you're based at Loch Awe Holiday Park or nearby Taynuilt, it's the sort of detour that justifies a morning's messing about on the water.

History buffs will appreciate the island's significance and the old burial stones scattered about. Families with young kids might find the boat journey more entertaining than the church itself, if I'm honest. Allow a couple of hours including travel time, and check locally about boat access before you set out - it's not like turning up at a roadside visitor centre.

The real appeal is the isolation and the walk around the island. It's accessible but requires a bit of effort, which keeps the crowds manageable. Late spring through early autumn is best - winter crossings can be dicey.