Creag a'Bhanan

The walk up Creag a'Bhanan rewards you with proper expansive views across Argyll and the surrounding glens. It's not the most dramatic peak you'll climb, but the vantage point over Lochgilphead and the wider landscape makes the effort worthwhile. From the summit you can see right across to the distant mountains - on a clear day it's genuinely impressive.

This is a solid half-day outing rather than an all-consuming adventure. The ascent isn't technically difficult, though the path can get boggy in places, so decent boots are essential. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on fitness, though you could be quicker if you're used to Scottish hills.

History enthusiasts will appreciate the views over ancient settlement patterns and old drove routes that crisscross these glens. It's the sort of hill that rewards proper navigation skills - bring a map and know how to use it rather than relying entirely on your phone. Walkers staying at The Pod Over By, just five miles away near Lochgilphead, will find this an ideal way to spend a morning before heading down for lunch in town.

Families with older kids might manage it, though younger ones could find the moorland stretch a bit tedious. Dogs will enjoy it thoroughly. There's no visitor centre or facilities at the summit - it's just you, the weather, and the view. Go early if you want to miss the midges in summer. Free, obviously, as it's a hill.