Beinn a' Chochuill

The walk up Beinn a' Chochuill starts properly steep, climbing through rough moorland and scree that'll test your legs within the first kilometre. It's a Munro - 879 metres of Scottish hill - that sits on the eastern shore of Loch Awe, with views across the water that make the effort feel justified once you're up there.

Taynuilt is your nearest base, a quiet village about 20 minutes' drive away, and the peak is accessible from a few starting points depending on how you fancy tackling it. The mountain itself isn't technical, but the terrain is genuine - loose rock, boggy patches, proper Scottish weather that rolls in faster than you'd expect. Allow four to five hours for a round trip, and go early. Afternoon mist on Loch Awe can close in quickly.

This is squarely a walk for people who like genuine hill days, not a casual family amble. Children would manage it if they're already comfortable on mountains, but younger legs will flag on the scree descent. The reward is isolation - you won't find crowds here like you do on Ben Nevis - and on a clear day, the Argyll hills spread out properly impressive behind you.

If you're staying at Loch Awe Holiday Park, you're perfectly placed. Base yourself there and use Beinn a' Chochuill as your main event day - it's one of those climbs that sits in your memory afterwards, partly because the Loch never stops looking dramatic below you.