Bàrr nan Cadhag

The walk up Bàrr nan Cadhag from Oban is a proper scramble - nothing technical, but steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs. This peak sits at just over 400 metres, which might not sound like much until you're halfway up and realising how quickly the town shrinks below you.

What makes it worthwhile is the view. You get a genuine sense of how Oban sits nestled between mountains and sea - the Firth of Lorne opens out, and on a clear day you can pick out the islands. The Dunollie ruins come into sharp focus too, giving you a proper sense of the landscape's history without needing a guidebook.

It's a solid two-hour round trip depending on fitness. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the steeper sections tedious. The track isn't waymarked brilliantly, so go in decent weather when visibility's good.

Timing-wise, late afternoon works best if you're staying at Oban Holiday Park or Tanunda Pods - you'll hit golden light on the way down and can pop into town for dinner afterwards. The climb itself is nothing like Ben Nevis queues; you'll likely have it mostly to yourself.

It's worth the effort if you want a genuine hill walk that doesn't demand a full day, but don't come expecting drama. It's honest, straightforward upland - the kind of walk that makes sense when you're basing yourself in Oban rather than driving specifically to bag it.