Cnoc na Faire

The walk up Cnoc na Faire from Oban takes you to one of those viewpoints that actually justifies the effort. It's not a brutal climb - more of a steady pull through mixed woodland and moorland - but your legs will know they've done something by the top.

From the summit, you get proper views across the Firth of Lorn towards the islands. On a clear day the visibility is excellent, which matters because this isn't the sort of peak you'd want to climb in rain. The whole thing takes about two hours there and back if you're moving at a decent pace, longer if you stop frequently to catch your breath or take photographs.

It suits walkers far more than families with small children - there's no drama or facilities up top, just the views and the wind. Teenagers who like getting outdoors will find it rewarding. The track itself is well-trodden without being overdone.

If you're basing yourself at one of the local holiday parks - Oban Holiday Park is closest at just over two miles - this makes a cracking morning or afternoon walk. The proximity means you can do it without spending hours on the road first. Tanunda Pods and Maggie's Cabin are a bit further out but still within easy reach of Oban and its surrounding walks.

No admission fee, no facilities to speak of. Go early if the forecast is decent, because the weather can turn quickly on the west coast. Bring decent boots - it gets boggy in places.