Well it's easy for me to give this loch 5 stars because it is one of my very favourite places to…read morevisit! I've walked the paths and roads around here over many years and I learnt to drive on some of them too. This is the largest of a group of reservoirs in this area and named after the engineer Robert Thom (1774 - 1847). He designed the scheme to create this reservoir which has provided Greenock with water since 1827. A wonderful place to take a walk - you won't meet many people either. There are two nearby cafes and a large free car park. Video link: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNIjq-60ns

Beautiful park. Very nature friendly…read more Love spending time here especially at the waterfalls and pond area. Very kid friendly and even has an outdoor free gym! Plenty history to be found in the visitors centre and even got a coffee shop just at the car park at the garden centre.

This beautiful park is a huge favourite with director Danny Boyle with scenes from "Shallow Grave"…read moreand "Trainspotting" filmed here. For me, Rouken Glen is also very special, it's where I used to feed the ducks when I was little, I learned how to ride my Bluebird bike here, I enjoyed eating ice-creams here with my family in summer and making a wish by throwing pennies into the waterfall with my dad. Rouken Glen is a beautiful park and there is so much to do here, especially if you have a young family. If you're a nature lover then it's great to come here for a walk and listen to the birds tweeting. When I came here last summer I was glad to see that it's still as popular as ever, we even took the paddle boats out and I enjoyed being captain for the day as G-Bot is useless at rowing. I also took a lot of flyers from the park rangers office, that encouraged people to be more environmental and bring out the hippie in you. This year I plan to take part in some of the activities in these flyers, such as going on an ancient tree hunt, joining the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, taking part in National Insect Week by going on a bug hunt, who knows I might even find Bugtropolis. What better place to do all of these things than at Rouken Glen? If all that nature tires you out then there's a little cafe beside the pond to sit and recharge your batteries.

An attractive small reservoir right beside the road between Largs and Loch Thom. You can park on…read morethe roadside or in the adjacent car park (just north of the reservoir). There is also a picnic area, and some moorland trails you can follow on foot. I'm told it's a good spot for birdwatching too but I only stopped to photograph the reservoir itself. You can only get here by car unless you are a very good walker. (The reservoir isn't shown on the Google map, unfortunately, but the arrow is in the right place because I put it there!)

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).

A hidden gem which your Julia Donaldson loving little ones will love to visit!…read moreWe call this Gruffalo Wood because of the Gruffalo-themed carvings dotted near the entrance of the Loch. The Loch itself is fairly small, taking only 15-20 mins to walk around. There is lots of nature and wildlife to explore here from toadstools to frogs to wild raspberries to dragonflies... We met a particularly large, and bold, swan today whilst feeding the ducks! On our last visit we stumbled across hundreds and hundreds of baby frogs migrating across the pathway to the Loch. This has become a regular location for us to visit with our little Julia Donaldson fan. There is a play park at the far end of the Loch from the little car park off Kilmardinny Avenue and if you need something to eat or liquid refreshments after your walk there is a recently opened Waitrose with a lovely cafe minutes away by car or foot!

We visited here after discovering Gruffalo Wood through Ali's review :)…read more My friend was visiting with her 6 and 3yr old girls and we took A in his pram. We really enjoyed walking round the loch in the sunshine, the path is pretty easy going for littles and the pram alike, and there are a few places to stop along the way and see the ducks or discover the awesome carvings. We couldn't find the play park, perhaps a little sign would help, but we asked someone and soon found the little path leading up to it. There were some different play areas to explore including an awesome rope swing that the adults enjoyed too! We had a great, free day out and it worked well to tire out the kids. Would highly recommend.

Officially named as two reservoirs although one flows into the other. They are located east of Loch…read moreThom in Inverclyde in the hills above Greenock and one of my favourite places to visit. There is a rough track on the southern banks which you can drive along and there are a few parking bays overlooking the water. The views are beautiful of the reservoirs, the hills on the other side and the forest to the south. The nearest cafe and other facilities can be found at the Cornalees Bridge Centre on the other side of Loch Thom. A marvellous place for a walk and well worth a visit all year round.

16 miles south of Oban, this remote and beautiful sea loch is well worth a visit…read more It's a wonderful place for hill walking and cycling. There are peaceful beaches to stroll along too and a few restaurants, hotels and pubs not far away. This is an area of stunning natural beauty, teeming with wildlife sometimes you'll see otters, seals and porpoises swimming in the loch. Perfect for birdwatching too. There are wonderful views from the top of the surrounding hills over the Sound of Jura and many small islands. Highly recommended! From Oban you'll need the A816 south to Kilmelford. Then turn right to Degnish for nearly 2 miles. there are signs for Melfort Pier and Harbour.

I love this place so much! Whenever the sun decides to make a rare appearance I'm in the car and on…read moremy way for a lazy walk around the loch. The loch itself is huge. It has a fab path all the way around for an easy walk in the sun or there are plenty of little paths into the woods surrounding if you're feeling a little more adventurous. With loads of green space on all sides, even on the busiest days this park, Drumpelier can accommodate every need. Whether that be a picnic, a five-a-side game or even fishing, you won't feel anything but relaxed here. If you haven't packed a lunch there's a little cafe in the main building which unfortunately I've never tried. I just love a picnic!!! It also has a great play park at the far end of the car park, suitable for all ages. This area can get a touch busy on the sunnier days but I've never been and felt like we've waited long for my little one to have a go on the swings or in the sandpit. It's really dog friendly here too. I've found myself losing an afternoon on a trip with my hair baby just chatting to other dog owners on the way round. If you're finding yourself looking for somewhere to while away a sunny day then get in the car and head here. Don't forget the picnic basket!

Gorgeous country park with several large lakes, lots of walking paths and two large playgrounds…read more Picnic tables and a cafe on site but lots of open space to throw down a blanket and enjoy your own food, too. There are paddle boats in the summer months and lots of swans, geese, ducks and other water foul.

A broad and lovely sea loch - about 5 miles long - in a very beautiful area - I drove along the…read morebanks a few weeks ago and stopped several times to take in the views. It's a remote region and the road is seldom clogged with cars - there were very few cars at all the afternoon I was there. It's a wonderful area for walking and cycling and - on the water itself - sailing and sea kayaking. The countryside around the loch is very pretty with fields of sheep and cows, forest plantations and many wild flowers. St Columba's Cave can be found on the north shore near Ellary (although I didn't have time to go there myself). It's said to have been used by the saint on his 6th Century crusade from Ireland.

This is such a peaceful tranquil area, a beautiful quiet peaceful place where you will see people…read morefish in the reservoir, trails and rock pools. There are beautiful lush trees, fields and the larger Threipmuir reservoir nearby overlooking the black hills! This is also a great place for dog walkers on a lovely sunny day!

Harlaw reservoir is located within the Pentlands Hills Regional Park…read more Ample parking on site and free to the public. Very peaceful and serene, there is also another reservoir nearby and the trail walk takes just under one hour. Also has great views of the mountains and depending where you are, the forth bridge against the sky. It's also only about 30 minutes from the city centre but feels like you're somewhere else, a new favorite place for a relaxing Sunday morning walk.