I am jealous. I am jealous that there are people in this world who can get up every morning and go…read morehere, even if just for a quick morning walk. We visited Loch Lomond on New Year's Day and can I just say it made for the most magical start to a new year for me. I'm floored by its beauty and tranquility and if its the start of the Highlands, holy cow - or rather coo! My tour group couldn't get over how stunning the light, filtered through clouds touched upon the hillsides. The park was clean and everyone did their part to keep it that way. No one was too noisey either. Would love to come back and explore more!

Truly, a magnificent park and one a few untouched by development in Scotland. Jagged peaks and…read moresteep mountain tops punctuate the sky and mark some of the most prestige wilderness areas in the world. I wholeheartedly loved this park and my time exploring it. Going back, I would spend a weekend and camp here to really immerse myself (guess I have a good excuse).

I talked my fiancé into trying a night in Cushendall Glamping Pods..... A feat in itself given he…read morehates camping whereas I love it so I thought this would be a good middle ground. We checked into the Gigha pod and were pleasantly surprised to realise we were quite private as no one really had cause to wander around our pod for a nosey at these hobbit like homes. It was the furthest from the toilets mind you. The pods are specious, warm, comfy and have enough to get by with a fridge, kettle, heater, and picnic table with bbq metal square. I turned the table around and slid it against the back bench to make a double bed -2mattresses each, a fitted sheet duvet and pillows and voila, couldn't be further from camping. I was completely taken and surprisingly so was my fiancé. After checking out the next day we decided to hell with it and grabbed a last min availability in another pod for the night. This time in Aaron beside toilets showers and bins. Handy not to have to walk as far but you attract a lot of attention from curious people who want to see what they are like. We are already planning our next visit

A small holiday park on the outskirts of Ayr. The park has some facilities, including a swimming…read morepool with water slide, and a small paddling pool for the younger children. However there was no life guard at the top of the slide, meaning several children were sliding down together, and it could be an accident waiting to happen. There is also a small arcade with a mini bowling game and slot machines. The site also has a small shop, which isnt overly expensive as some of these places can be. The caravan itself was clean and well maintained, linen was provided despite the fact we'd said we would bring our own to avoid the £10 charge. In the evening there is a bar with a small dance floor, and in the early evening there are childrens entertainers.

We looked for a place for a nice walk with our dog. Some place nice, green and quiet. Found this…read morepark here online and thought it looked promising. Came by car. Only a 40 minute drive from our BnB. Plenty of parking at the visitors centre at the main entrance. Free of charge. And no charge to enter the park as well. There are some shops, a coffee shop, a garden center, arts & crafts, toilets, a playground. Lots to do. There are several paths leading you through the big grounds of this park. Some very easy and flat. Some more narrow and a bit wet after rainy days. Bring some good shoes to be sure. We loved walking around the park with our English Bulldog. Lots of other furry friends to meet here. And a lot less visitors than one might expect. A first highlight is the Craigend Castle. Or more like what remains of it. Now nature is taking it back and it's fenced off. Some part of me would love to see it restored. Bought I also understand that they like to keep it this way. Let nature take it back for a living place for various animals. Then Mugdock Loch is another highlight. Walk around this beautiful quiet little Loch. Plenty of photo ops and benches for a picnic. The Loch is also the place where you will find the Mugdock Castle. Some really nice remains. Very fun to explore. With tables to make a picnic. A really nice little castle. We very much enjoyed our day here. Follow the map and the paths. Or just start walking and let yourself get lost a little. Surprisingly it's free...something that wouldn't be possible in my country. Not an impressive park of this size with so much to see. A lovely place.

Mugdock is one of my favourite places to go.. It's not to far from the city centre and you feel…read morecompletely in the countryside.. I had been going to Mugdock for years and never new there was a castle and only last summer, up behind the castle I found some world war 2 gun barracks.. So much to see and the wildlife is amazing.. If your lucky enough you might go when the castle is open, if you get the chance go in as the view from the roof is stunning.. They also have a coffee shop where you can get some food but most importantly an ice cream..

The Kelburn Castle has been a home to the Boyle family since it's construction in the 13th Century…read more It is the oldest castle in Scotland that has been continuously inhabited. Allowing the castle to be painted came about when the Boyle family were told that they would have to remove the tower because of damage to the stonework. Since it was going to be removed the family decided to ask four Brazilian street artists to paint the castle. Their graffiti art created so much excitement that the family appealed to the Historic Scotland to allow it to stay. They are a government agency responsible for preserving the country's historic monuments. The agency granted temporary permission and attached an end date. The end date has passed and the family is working towards extending it again. While I visited the castle it was under major renovations so perhaps the construction will stabilize the castle and allow it to continue to be known to tourists as the Graffiti Castle. It cost £9.00 to spend the day hiking on the property. It was an absolutely amazing day and I highly recommend visiting this property. There is a visitor office with hiking maps, bathroom facilities and an area to purchase food. Included in our entrance fee was a tour of the spooky forest. They had a children's section by day and adult section at night. I passed on the Halloween fun because of time restraints.

This is a DO NOT MISS venue. The graffiti castle is fabulous and the grounds, pathways, waterfalls,…read morehikes and secret forest just add to the experience. Entrance fee was £7 and well worth it.