Castle Craig

The walk up Castle Craig takes about forty minutes from Dunoon, and it's genuinely worth the effort. You're climbing roughly 350 metres to a proper viewpoint - nothing extreme, but steep enough that you'll feel your legs working on the way up. The reward is a panoramic view across the Firth of Clyde that stretches all the way to the Isle of Bute on a clear day, with Dunoon itself spread out below you like a toy town.

What makes it special isn't just the view - it's the sense of being somewhere wild and properly elevated above everything else. The peak itself has some ruins of an old castle (hence the name), though honestly they're pretty modest remains. The real draw is the vista and the feeling of having climbed somewhere.

Walkers will get the most out of this. It's not a stroll, and it's not something you can knock off in fifteen minutes, but it's accessible enough for reasonably fit families with older kids. Bring proper shoes - the path can be muddy and slippy, particularly in the wetter months. Allow at least ninety minutes return if you want time to pause at the top without rushing.

If you're staying at Loch Eck Caravan Park or Glenfinart, you're practically on the doorstep. Even from Stratheck or The Secret Glen further out, it's a short drive into Dunoon before you pick up the trail. Go mid-morning to dodge the afternoon mist that rolls in off the water.