Puck's Hut

The remains of Puck's Hut sit in the hills above Dunoon, a curious and rather humble spot that most visitors to Argyll completely miss. You're looking at what amounts to a basic stone shelter - nothing grand, nothing reconstructed for the cameras. Just walls. The appeal here is entirely in the walking and the landscape rather than what you find at the end of it.

Locally, the place is tied to folklore and has a genuine old-school character that modern heritage sites can't manufacture. The hut itself won't detain you long - ten minutes to look around, take a photo - but the route to get there is what makes it worthwhile. You're in proper countryside, away from the seafront bustle that characterises Dunoon itself. Walkers will appreciate it; families with restless toddlers might find it disappointing given the effort required. History enthusiasts could spend time thinking about what life was actually like in these rough shelters, though you'll need to fill in most of the blanks yourself.

No facilities, no admission charge as far as we could establish, and no set hours - you just go when you fancy it. If you're based at Stratheck Holiday Park just half a mile away, or camping at The Secret Glen or Loch Eck Caravan Park, it's a decent half-day venture. Plan for a couple of hours including the walk. Spring or early autumn work best - the midges can be fierce in high summer, and the paths get boggy after heavy rain. Don't go expecting visitor facilities or interpretation boards. Go for the walk, the air, and the minor sense of discovery.