Clach Bheinn

The walk up Clach Bheinn rewards you with views across the Firth of Clyde that justify the climb, even when the Scottish weather's being temperamental. It's a proper hill rather than a casual stroll - the path from Dunoon is straightforward enough, but you'll feel your legs working, especially in the final push to the summit.

What makes it worth doing is the vantage point itself. On a clear day you're looking out towards the Isle of Bute and beyond, with the Cowal Peninsula rolling away beneath you. The whole thing takes a couple of hours depending on your pace and how many times you stop to catch your breath. Walkers will find it genuinely satisfying - steep enough to feel like an achievement, but not so technical that you need specialist kit.

Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the climb tedious. It's not a peak that demands specific seasons, though winter brings mud and loose ground that can be annoying. Summer's your safest bet for good visibility, but even then Scottish rain has a habit of rolling in without warning.

Stay at either Stratheck Holiday Park or The Secret Glen Campsite - both excellent spots within easy reach - and you've got Dunoon itself as a base for exploring the wider Argyll coast. Clach Bheinn works nicely as part of a longer walking weekend rather than a standalone attraction, but it's the kind of hill that stays with you long after you've come back down.