Carn Chonas-Airigh

The walk up Carn Chonas-Airigh isn't long, but it's relentlessly steep - the kind of climb that has you huffing within twenty minutes even if you're reasonably fit. What makes it worth the effort is the payoff: you're standing on one of Islay's highest points, with views that stretch across the Paps of Jura and down to the Sound of Islay itself.

It's a proper hill-walker's outing rather than a casual family stroll. Allow a good two to three hours there and back from the Isle of Islay town, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the summit. The terrain is rough underfoot - boggy in places, rocky in others - so decent boots matter. There's no marked path, which adds a bit of navigation to the experience, but nothing that should trouble anyone with a decent map and compass sense.

The isolation is genuinely appealing. You won't find crowds up here. It's the sort of spot that rewards those willing to put in the legwork, offering that satisfying Scottish Highland experience without needing to venture much further afield. If you're based at Islay Glamping Pods, it's an excellent half-day excursion that lets you work off breakfast before settling in for the evening.

Best visited in decent weather - this isn't the place to attempt in low cloud when visibility drops. Spring and early autumn tend to offer the most reliable conditions.