Barr na Damh

You'll be climbing into proper hill-walking country when you head for Barr na Damh. This peak sits in the western stretches of Argyll, not far from Tarbert, and it's the kind of walk that rewards effort without being brutally punishing. The ascent is straightforward enough - mostly a steady grind up heather and grass slopes - but the views once you've crested the top are genuinely worth the sweat. On a clear day, you're looking out over Loch Fyne and across to the Cobbler beyond. It's raw, open country up there.

Walkers with a decent level of fitness will find this properly satisfying. It's not a technical scramble, so families with older kids (say, ten-plus) could manage it fine on a dry day, though it will take a good three to four hours depending on your pace. You'll want to start early to maximise the light, and frankly, avoid it after heavy rain because the ground gets boggy and the slopes turn treacherous. There's no visitor facility at the summit - just heather, wind, and that view.

If you're basing yourself at The Gather near Tarbert, Barr na Damh slots nicely into a week of Argyll walking. It's not the most dramatic peak in the region, but it's accessible and honest work. Don't expect crowds. You'll likely have the hillside largely to yourself, which is rather the point.