The Holy Loch is one of the most spectacular and picturesque lochs in Scotland. There are…read moreattractive villages around the shores and rugged, forest-covered, mountains rise behind. During World War Two the loch was used by the Royal Navy for exercises and a submarine base. From 1961 (amid violent controversy) it was used by the US Navy for various vessels and as home to the Polaris nuclear submarines until it was decommissioned in 1992. Now there is no sign of the military presence and the whole area has returned to its former tranquil beauty. Along the shore road just 3 miles from Dunoon (the nearest town) is Lazaretto Point and the beautiful 35 ft high circular war memorial. It's possible to park here and there are several benches where you can sit. The view across Ardnadam Bay and the Holy Loch is really superb. The point takes its name from the quarantine station built in 1807 during the Napoleonic wars. The ferry across to Gourock on the other side of the Clyde can be found at nearby Hunter's Quay where there is also a caravan park and 'holiday village'. Further on is the large Holy Loch Marina which has developed considerably in recent years. Well worth a visit, whether driving, walking - or just sitting to admire the views! One of my favourite places which I return to as often as possible.

Loch Tarsan is a 273 acre Hydro Electric loch, formed by the flooding of part of Glen Lean. It is…read morelocated beside the B838 about eight miles north-west of Dunoon on the Cowal peninula in Argyll; there is a dam on the west side and it is stocked with brown trout for fishing. From here the road drops steeply down towards Loch Striven. A breathtakingly beautiful area, great walking country too.

Loch Striven is a beautiful sea loch not far north of the Isle of Bute and about 8 miles long,…read moreextending north into the Cowal. It's a wonderful place to visit with gorgeous scenery to admire. There are two bordering roads; a single track road from Toward running north to Inverchaolain up the east bank, or the B836 which skirts the most northerly point; but the roads don't meet so it's impossible to do a round trip by car - great for walkers though! If you're driving be careful not to run over peasants as they sometimes jump out in front of the car at certain times of year. The loch is being used as an anchorage for a couple of unused large vessels at the moment owing to the fall in world trade. (It was also used to park ships during the oil crisis in the 1970s) There has been quite a local outcry all to no avail.

In my quest for more non-restraunt reviews!…read more I've not been in Dunoon that long, but in my short travels I think this is one of the most beautiful parts of the peninsular. It feels absolutely remote - once you pass the huge navy ships that is... it's such a small single-track road that you could be way up in the highlands with the mountains flowing down to the water. The views and the sunsets are fantastic and if you get out and follow any of the myriad of tracks up into the hills you're in another world without a soul about. Well worth a trip out from Dunoon or even making a day of it from Glasgow, it's not that far.

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.

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).

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

Luss Pier is located in the beautiful village of Luss in Scotland. The pier is not much in and of…read moreitself. It is a cool spot to view Loch Lomond and surrounding mountains. On your way to pier, you walk through the pretty village of Luss. Make sure to check out the shops, charming church, and the quaint stone cottage homes along your walk to the pier. From the pier, you can catch cruise and waterbus services which explore the islands of Loch Lomond. There is also a long beach to stroll along. Just a cool place to visit for a couple hours or the entire day. Want to explore more? Plenty of hiking trails abound nearby Luss Pier. Enjoy!!

Luss is an incredibly pretty village. Came here in 2016 for a daytrip. Liked it so much that we…read morereturned for four nights this time. Right in the middle of the village. Besides the beautiful village there's the Loch Lomond. A wonderful lake, great on sunny days but even more atmospheric on cloudy or even rainy days. And here from the Pier you get a great view. On the right there's a small Promenade with a bunch of benches and to the left there the beach with some BBQ spots close to the carpark. It's a pretty small village. Takes a few minutes to get from one end to the other. And still I can't get enough of it. If you do, think about taking a Loch Cruise. Several boats depart from here. Round Trips or One-way trips. Prices are really fair and it's a really nice thing to do. On sunny or rainy days. Or just grab some food at the Village shop and sit down at the pier area or on the beach to fully enjoy the spectacular views. Be sure to pay at the carpark. It's very strict here. And even it's packed with visitors (well, we're part of it), it's easy to see why. It's just a really pretty village with an amazing Loch location.

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.