Beinn an t-Seilich

The walk up Beinn an t-Seilich from Cairndow is a proper hill rather than a casual stroll, but it rewards you with views across the Cowal Peninsula that make the legwork worthwhile. It's not one of Scotland's mega-peaks - you're looking at around two hours up and back depending on fitness - but that's exactly why it works so well as a half-day venture while based at one of the nearby parks.

What you get is straightforward: a steep but manageable ascent through mixed woodland that opens out onto moorland, then the summit ridge with sight lines across Loch Fyne and towards the Arrochar Alps. On a clear day the perspective shifts from Argyll's wooded glens to proper Highland scenery. The path itself is well-trodden and cairned, so navigation isn't a headache.

This suits walkers who want actual exercise without needing a pre-dawn start or technical gear. Families with teenagers will manage it fine; younger kids will probably find the gradient exhausting. If you're after a gentler ramble, the woodland sections lower down are pleasant enough, though most people push for the summit.

Stay at Drimsynie Holiday Village or Forest Holidays Ardgartan - both lie within striking distance - and use Beinn an t-Seilich as your Wednesday afternoon sortie when the weather holds. Spring through early autumn is ideal; winter can turn the approach boggy. Cairndow sits on the A83, so parking and logistics are straightforward. Free to access, naturally.