Clach MacKenny

The walk up Clach MacKenny from Helensburgh is one of those Scottish scrambles that looks modest on the map but delivers proper views once you've put in the legwork. You're looking at a relatively straightforward hill walk rather than a technical climb - the kind of thing that takes a couple of hours return and leaves you standing on a peak with the Firth of Clyde sprawled out below. On a clear day the perspective across to the Cowal Peninsula is genuinely worth the effort.

This one suits anyone who fancies a half-day walk without needing to be a mountaineer. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the final push a bit relentless. The reward is a proper summit with real altitude advantage over the surrounding terrain, and you'll often have the place to yourself, which beats the overcrowded honeypots elsewhere in Argyll.

Timing-wise, plan for two to three hours depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. The beauty of staying at one of the caravan parks dotted around Helensburgh - Rosneath Castle or Glenfinart are both within striking distance - is that you can tackle this as a morning mission before heading elsewhere. It pairs well with exploring the town itself or taking a boat trip on the Firth if the weather turns. Summer's the obvious choice, but a crisp autumn day can be even better for visibility. No fees, no faffing about with booking - just turn up and walk.