LOCHGOILHEAD has long been a place for outdoor pursuits, quite literally in the Sixties when Sean Connery sped across the water with Daniela Bianchi in tow.

OK, they were being chased by the evil forces of SPECTRE; parts of the James Bond movie From Russia With Love were filmed there, and it retains a licence to thrill with its natural beauty and attractions.

It also holds a secret that would no doubt intrigue an international man of mystery like 007, as this small village on the Cowal Peninsula in Argyll is known across the globe – because of an unexplained noise.

Lochgoilhead is on the World Hum Database because of a low droning sound that was first noticed in 2015, and still no-one knows where it’s from or what’s causing it. Not that we ever heard it.

Our not so famous five of two adults and three kids didn’t go to solve puzzles or foil the dastardly plots of criminal empires – it’s so hard to find the time these days – we just fancied a short break.

Lochgoilhead is at the northern edge of Loch Goil, a sea loch that branches off Loch Long, and within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

Scores of Fife schoolkids have enjoyed the great outdoors and activities at the nearby Ardroy centre while Scouts Scotland have their own adventures in a camp on the other side of the loch. You can see why.

Our destination was Drimsynie Estate Holiday Village, where the family-run Argyll Holidays began with the purchase of one caravan in 1967.

They now have 460 cosy caravans, 160 luxury lodges and 75 deluxe hot tubs at their eight holiday parks, as well as two hotels and two leisure centres, which are dotted around Argyll's picturesque landscape.

We stayed in a three-bedroom premier caravan, with a balcony and all the comforts of home, which was a short stroll from the hotel and leisure complex.

The View restaurant is aptly-named, with a lovely outlook towards the loch, and a tasty menu which we took full advantage of.

There's also a takeaway, a well-stocked little shop and a launderette on the site, handy if one of your kids throws up all over himself and the front seats just as you're approaching Inveraray.

Normally a drive of just over two hours from Dunfermline, the closure of the Rest and Be Thankful due to a landslip added a diversion of 59 miles to the journey. The last six miles to Lochgoilhead is single track, and who doesn't enjoy the surprise of meeting an articulated lorry or bus coming the other way on an unfamiliar road ...

Aside from pulling into passing places, you really do have to stop and admire as the scenery is simply stunning, full of green forests, tumbling waterfalls, imposing mountains and lochs with mirror-like surfaces. It is idyllic.

And at Drimsynie, they encourage you to get active.

They have an enticing nine-hole golf course and you can hire bikes, have a go at bodyzorbs and crazy carts, play badminton, snooker and table tennis, there's even fencing and crossbows.

There are plenty of walks to enjoy and, even pushing a double buggy – with two tots that were obviously keen to see just how red dad's face could get – we managed one of the less challenging routes that climbed steadily up and above the park, affording a beautiful view across the water and to the hills beyond.

You can relax too. We knew the swimming pool was going to be closed, a pity as it looked great, but the spa was open and the kids whiled away time and our coins in the amusement arcade and Funhouse.

The staff were all cheery and helpful but a special mention for Justin. Friendly and patient, he took his life in his hands by giving my son and I an archery lesson.

We didn't kill anyone, surely a bonus for any holiday, and left as merry men after he coached us to hit numerous bullseyes.

He seemed surprised we hadn't seen any red squirrels in the holiday village, apparently deer also meander between the lodges of a morning, while otters, badgers, eagles and buzzards have been sighted in the area and you can often spot seals and porpoises if you're doing a spot of fishing or kayaking.

Another plus of staying with Argyll Holidays is you can get a discount on various activities, including Loch Lomond cruises.

We lucked out with the weather on our 90-minute trip from Luss and were regaled with tales of whisky, Vikings carrying their boats overland to outflank their enemies and the meaning of the lyrics to Loch Lomond – well, when you've contributed your own vocal talents to Scotland's greatest song, you should really know all about it.

Overall, we had an excellent time in Lochgoilhead and, like Bond, we will return.