Creag Loisgte

The walk up Creag Loisgte from Oban takes about two hours if you're moving at a decent pace, and it rewards you with proper views across the Firth of Lorn. It's not a technical climb by any stretch - more a steady trudge through moorland with the occasional bit of scrambling near the top - but the altitude gain means your legs will know about it. The summit sits at around 300 metres, so don't expect Alpine drama, but on a clear day you're looking out towards the islands and back towards Ben Cruachan. It's the sort of walk that appeals to anyone who wants a genuine bit of effort without needing ropes and experience.

Families with reasonably fit kids will manage this fine, though younger children might find the second half a slog. History buffs won't find much here - it's pure landscape walk - but if you're after solitude and some actual Scottish scenery without the tourist crowds, this delivers. The ground can be boggy in places, so waterproof boots aren't optional.

Head out early to catch the light and beat the weather - Argyll turns grey quickly. If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks - Argyll Kayaker Cove is top-rated and only four miles away - this works brilliantly as a half-day outing. Pair it with a morning on the water and you've got a proper active day sorted. Free to walk, naturally, and worth carving out a morning for if the Oban area is your holiday patch.