Cnoc an t-Seilich

The walk up Cnoc an t-Seilich isn't long, but it's steep enough to earn the views. This Argyll peak sits just inland from Tarbert, and on a clear day you're looking out across the Kintyre peninsula towards Arran. The summit itself is modest - don't expect a trig point or a café - but the sightlines south towards the Mull of Kintyre and west to the islands make the grind worthwhile.

It's a proper hill walker's outing rather than a casual stroll. Allow two hours return from the car park, maybe less if you're quick. The path is straightforward enough, though boggy in places after rain. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the steep sections a slog on the way up.

Tarbert itself is a working fishing port with a small supermarket and a couple of cafés - good for supplies before or a post-walk pint after. The nearby holiday parks - Muasdale, Carradale Bay, and Killegruer - all put you within easy striking distance of this walk and the wider Kintyre landscape. Carradale Bay and Killegruer are both five-star rated, which tells you something about the standard of accommodation round here.

Visit when the weather's settled. There's not much between a decent view and clag rolling in from the Atlantic. Winter's doable if you don't mind cold legs, but autumn or spring tends to offer better odds on visibility. Free to walk, naturally, and it fits perfectly into a few days exploring the Kintyre coastline.