Cruach nan Cuilean

Cruach nan Cuilean rises 761 metres above the Cowal Peninsula, and on a clear day the walk rewards you with views across the Firth of Clyde to Arran and beyond. It's a proper hill walk rather than a casual stroll - expect steep sections and rough ground underfoot, particularly in the upper reaches. Most fit walkers manage the round trip in three to four hours from the car park near Colintraive, though that assumes you're not stopping every five minutes to catch your breath and gawp at the scenery.

The route itself climbs through moorland and past rocky outcrops, gaining height steadily without any technical scrambling. Weather matters enormously here. Come on a grey day and you'll struggle to see more than a few hundred metres ahead; catch it in autumn sunshine and it's genuinely glorious. Families with older children (say, ten and up) who've done a few hills before will enjoy it, but younger kids will likely find it grinding by the final push to the summit.

This is absolutely worth the effort if you're basing yourself at Glendaruel Caravan Park or Lochgilphead Caravan Park - both within striking distance of Colintraive. It's free to climb, naturally, and there are no facilities at the start, so bring water and perhaps a packed lunch. The nearest town, Colintraive, is tiny, so stock up before you head out. Not a gentle amble, but it delivers views that justify every step.