Beinn a' Bhan

The walk up Beinn a' Bhan isn't the hardest climb you'll do in Scotland, but it's far from a doddle either. At 874 metres, this Argyll peak commands proper views across Loch Lomond and Glen Kinglas - the kind of landscape that makes you understand why people move to the Highlands and never leave.

What strikes you most is how quickly the perspective shifts as you gain height. The loch sprawls beneath you, and on a clear day you're looking out towards Ben Lomond proper. The actual summit is rocky and exposed - bring a windproof, always. Most walkers allow three to four hours for the round trip from the car park, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top (which you will).

It's a solid choice for anyone with decent boots and a bit of stamina, though young kids might find it long. Families based at Inverbeg Holiday Park - just 3.7 miles away - could do this as a proper half-day outing without needing to travel far. Milarrochy Bay is also within striking distance at 5.5 miles.

Timing matters. Morning starts beat the afternoon clouds that roll in off the Atlantic, and midweek is quieter than weekends. The approach from the south via the A83 is straightforward enough from Glasgow, though the last stretch of single-track road isn't for nervous drivers.

Do it if you want a genuine hill walk without the queues of Ben Lomond. Skip it if you're after an easy riverside stroll.