Helensburgh sunset: 10 beautiful places to watch the sun go down tonight

And there is no better way to end your day than watching the sun disappear behind the hills of the Rosneath peninsula, Cowal and Argyll.

Luckily, we have pulled together just some of the best spots you can visit to watch, and capture, the sun going down.

Some of these may be on your doorstep, some a bit further afield – but one thing is for sure, they are all worth visiting.

This weekend the sun sets to the west of Helensburgh just after 8.40pm, so plan in advance if you are heading to catch the last of the rays.

Below we have listed, and included what you might see, at these spots.

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Craigendoran pier

By Alan Frew

A favourite location for Advertiser readers, including Alan Frew, who shared this image with us. Craigendoran is as much about what you can imagine as what you can actually see: there may not be much left of what was once the main steamer terminal on the north bank of the Clyde, with paddlers, turbines and motor vessels connecting with trains to and from Glasgow throughout the day as city dwellers headed 'doon the watter'. Watch the sun go down, close your eyes and you can just imagine the puffs of steam, the thrum of the engines and the hubbub of anticipation among the travellers.

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The Shandon shore

By Issa Gonzalez Hay

The looming bulk of the hills above Clynder and Rosneath provide a spectacular contrast on clear nights as the sun goes down. Issa Gonzalez Hay took this picture from outside one of the handsome houses that overlook the Gareloch on the hillside above Shandon, but the shoreside itself is just as good a vantage point.

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The Clynder shore

By Gordon Russell

Proof that you don't have to be looking towards the sunset to take some great pictures as the light fades away. This picture of a pink glow in the sky was sent to us by reader Gordon Russell of Angus and Amelia Photography, looking from the Clynder shore north-east towards Faslane. And of course, if you're more of an early bird, the Clynder shore, with its eastern outlook, is a fantastic place to see the sun rise.

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Ardmore Point

By Alan Frew

A stunning location for a walk, and for some spectacular photographs, at any time of the day. This picture, again by Advertiser reader Alan Frew, was taken during a walk along the Ardmore shore in March following his brother-in-law's funeral at nearby Cardross Crematorium. The position of the Ardmore promontory means that you can look north-west towards Helensburgh and the Gareloch, due west towards Kilcreggan and the hills of Cowal and Argyll, and south-east towards Port Glasgow, Langbank and the city beyond – but the sun setting in the west is definitely our favourite.

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Kidston Park

By Leilani Mata Dio

Back in Helensburgh now, and another favourite location for photo contributions to the Advertiser for many years, such as this one by Leilani Mata Dio. During the day there's a high chance you'll see yachts and dinghies from nearby Helensburgh Sailing Club or Rhu Marina out on the water, and perhaps a Royal Navy submarine or surface ship on its way to or from Faslane. A favourite spot for families, too, so if you have wee ones in tow, they can make the most of the park's play area while you're setting up the perfect sunset shot.

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Peaton Hill

By Paul Hunter

A bit more effort required for this one, but well worth giving it a try – and of course you'll feel much better for the exercise, if you're up to it, as well as getting some beautiful pictures. Paul Hunter sent in this picture after paying a visit to the MoD's community nature reserve in the area – taken way back in 2017 but we reckon it's stood the test of time well.

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The Cove shoreline

By Julia Barr

More proof, courtesy of reader Julia Barr, that bright yellows, oranges and reds aren't essential to capture a lovely picture of the sun going down. Again this will require a bit more travel for many of our readers – unless of course you're lucky enough to live in Cove itself or nearby Kilcreggan – but if watching the sun go down to a soundtrack of nothing but the water lapping on the shore is an idea that takes your fancy, Cove is definitely the place to be.

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Arrochar and Loch Long

By Gerena Sumen

Similar to Cove, if you're fortunate enough to have Loch Long on your doorstep, there are some fantastic sunset pictures to be had looking west towards Ardgartan and the southern end of the Arrochar Alps, such as this one by Gerena Sumen.

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Loch Lomond

By Suzanne Woloszyk

While the western shore of Loch Lomond won't let you look towards the sun as it sets, if you've enjoyed a day out on the bonnie banks there are plenty of opportunities for scenic pictures as the daylight fades away. Similar to the picture from the Clynder shore taken above, a northern or eastern outlook can still yield some beautiful results at the end of a day on the bonnie banks. Suzanne Woloszyk took this picture of the pink sky above the Maid of the Loch, as seen from Loch Lomond Shores.

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Levengrove Park, Dumbarton

By Michael Diamond

Over the border and into West Dunbartonshire – and therefore entirely within the rules, now that restrictions on non-essential travel have been lifted for mainland Scotland! – our last stop takes us to the Dumbarton shoreline and this stunning image by reader Michael Diamond. Levengrove Park itself is a lovely place for a gentle stroll as well as providing ready access to the Clyde shoreline for some beautiful pictures.

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Many of the images featured in this gallery were taken by contributors to the Advertiser's 'Camera Club' group on Facebook – a great place to share your scenic pictures of the area and to appreciate the talents of others.

To be a part of the club just click here and then on 'Join', and we'll approve your request as soon as we can.

If you're not on Facebook you can still share your favourite pictures with us by emailing them to editorial@helensburghadvertiser.co.uk – just make sure you include brief details of when, where and by whom your picture was taken.