Beinn Ghlas

The walk up Beinn Ghlas from near Inveraray is one of those Scottish hill climbs that rewards you without demanding a full day's commitment. At 1,899 metres, it's genuinely high enough to feel proper, yet steep enough that you're done in around four hours if you push it. The ascent starts through forestry - a bit dull, admittedly - but breaks out into open moorland where the views really kick in. On a clear day you get Loch Fyne spread below you like a map, with Ben Lui and its neighbours visible across the glen.

It's the kind of walk that appeals to experienced hill walkers wanting something achievable without the full Highlands epic, though fit families with older kids do manage it. The terrain is boggy in places and loose scree near the top, so decent boots matter. Allow four to five hours for the round trip, and pick a day when the weather actually looks promising - cloud cover strips away half the appeal.

The real win here is timing it alongside a broader Loch Fyne exploration. Base yourself at one of the nearby parks - Fyne Glamping sits just under a mile away and is rated excellently - and you've got Beinn Ghlas as your high-energy day, with easier loch walks and Inveraray itself for downtime. Strathlachlan Caravan Park at just under three miles gives you more traditional caravanning with the same flexibility.

Free to climb, naturally. Go mid-week if you can avoid weekend crowds on the lower slopes.