Cruach

The walk up Cruach starts in Arrochar, a village that sits right on the edge of Loch Lomond's western shore. It's a proper hill rather than a mountain - 857 metres - which means you can knock it out in a morning without needing a full day's expedition. Most people tackle it from the Glen Coe area or from Arrochar itself, and the route from the village is straightforward enough that families with older kids can manage it.

What you get for your effort is genuinely worth it. The summit views stretch across Loch Long and back towards the Arrochar Alps - that jagged cluster of peaks that makes this corner of Argyll look so dramatic. On a clear day you can see for miles. The path itself is steep in places, boggy in others, and requires proper boots rather than trainers.

Walkers will appreciate this as a warm-up peak if you're tackling the Arrochar Alps proper, or a standalone half-day challenge. It's free to climb - there's no access charge - but allow two to three hours depending on fitness. Don't bother on days when cloud sits low on the hills; the view is everything here.

If you're staying at Beinglas Campsite just down the road, Cruach works perfectly as an energetic morning before a lazy afternoon by the loch. Loch Lomond Holiday Park is slightly further out but still reasonable for a day trip. The walk keeps you fit between longer explorations of the area.