Cruach a' Bhàillidh

The walk up Cruach a' Bhàillidh from Tarbert is a proper Argyll hill - nothing too dramatic, but the climb earns its reward. You're looking at around 700 metres of ascent through moorland and rough grass, starting from near the village and taking the better part of two hours up. The summit views sweep across Loch Fyne towards the Cowal hills, and on a clear day you can pick out Ben Ime and its neighbours. Walkers with decent fitness will find it manageable, though the paths aren't always obvious - a map and a bit of patience help. This is one for people who like the actual walking as much as the destination.

The appeal here is honest rather than flashy. No visitor centre, no facilities on the hill itself - you're dealing with genuine Scottish moorland. That means it rarely feels crowded, and you get a real sense of being somewhere still relatively wild, even if you're never far from civilisation. Bring water, proper boots, and weather-appropriate kit; conditions change fast on exposed ground.

It works brilliantly as part of a Tarbert-based holiday. Port Ban Holiday Park sits just down the road, and Tarbert Holiday Park offers another solid base if you fancy somewhere slightly closer to the village. Couple this walk with exploring Tarbert's coastal paths, or use it as a stepping stone if you're doing a longer hiking loop through Argyll. Budget three to four hours for the round trip, and aim for the driest day of your stay.