Tom Soilleir

Tom Soilleir sits just inland from Oban, a modest Argyll peak that rewards walkers without demanding too much in return. The climb's straightforward enough - nothing technical, just steady legwork through moorland that opens up properly once you're past the lower slopes. What makes it worthwhile is the payoff: views across the Firth of Lorn towards the islands, with Ben Cruachan dominating the eastern horizon on clear days.

This is one for hillwalkers who want a proper walk but aren't after a full day's commitment. Allow two to three hours return, depending on fitness. The terrain's rough in places - watch your footing after rain - but there's a clear enough line up most of the time. You'll see folk of all ages tackling it, though families with young kids might find the boulder-strewn upper sections a bit tedious.

Winter brings its own drama. Snow transforms the approach, and the summit can be slick - microspikes worth considering December through February. Summer's gentler, though midges can be relentless in still air.

Stay at Inverbeg Holiday Park, just 4.2 miles away, and you've got an ideal base for combining this walk with the broader Argyll landscape. Sunnybrae, closer to Oban itself, works equally well if you want town facilities in the evening. After the walk, Oban's proper pubs and seafood restaurants are only twenty minutes' drive - a decent reward for honest work on the hill.