Ardminish Hill

The walk up Ardminish Hill takes you out of Tarbert and into proper Argyll scenery - nothing flashy, just honest terrain that rewards a bit of effort. You're looking at a fairly straightforward ascent, and the views across the Kintyre peninsula once you reach the top are genuinely worth the slog.

It's the kind of walk that suits families with older kids or anyone after a proper leg-stretch without needing mountaineering skills. The path is well-trodden enough, though it gets boggy in places - proper hiking boots matter here. Allow an hour and a half up and back, possibly longer if you dawdle at the summit, which you should.

There's nothing to pay, no gates, no visitor centre nonsense. Just turn up. The best time is late morning when the light's decent and you avoid the midday crowds - not that there are many people about even then.

If you're staying at Port Ban Holiday Park just down the road, this makes an excellent half-day excursion before heading back for lunch. It breaks up a week spent pottering around the local parks and villages, and it's close enough that there's no sitting in a car for ages. The elevation gain is moderate but consistent - not a doddle, but absolutely manageable for anyone with basic fitness. On a clear day you can see right across to the islands, which makes the final push worthwhile.