Creag a' Mhadaidh

The walk up Creag a' Mhadaidh from near Lochgilphead is a straightforward hill climb that rewards you with views across Argyll's lochs and forests without requiring mountaineering skills or a pre-dawn start. It's the sort of peak that local walkers use to blow off steam on a Saturday morning - nothing too technical, but steep enough to feel like proper exercise.

The summit itself is modest compared to the higher peaks further north, but that's rather the point. You get genuine Highland scenery without the five-hour grind. The route is boggy in places (bring decent boots) and the final push to the cairn has some scrambling, though nothing alarming. Allow two to three hours for a relaxed ascent and descent.

This one suits walkers who want a real hill without the commitment, and families with teenagers keen to build fitness. Young kids will find the bog sections tedious and the final climb a slog. The views justify the effort - you're looking out over lochs, rough moorland, and the darker masses of larger mountains beyond. On a clear day it's properly worth doing.

There's free parking near the start of the walk, and it pairs well with staying at Lochgilphead Caravan Park if you're basing yourself in the area. The town itself is functional rather than beautiful, but it's a decent hub for exploring Argyll's countryside. Head out early to avoid the worst of the bog and the afternoon mist that rolls in across these hills.