Cruach nam Bonnach

The walk up Cruach nam Bonnach from Lochgilphead isn't long, but it's steep enough to earn you proper views across Argyll. You're looking at around two hours there and back if you're moving at a reasonable pace, though the ascent is relentless in places.

It's a hill rather than a mountain - 337 metres - so don't expect Alpine drama. What you do get is a genuine sense of having earned something. The path climbs through woodland then opens out onto moorland, and when you reach the summit the whole of Loch Fyne spreads out below you. On a clear day you can see right down the loch towards Inveraray.

Walkers will find this genuinely rewarding. It's not a tourist trap - you won't find a cafe or gift shop at the top - which means it tends to be quiet even in summer. Families with kids who can manage steep terrain will do well here, though younger legs might grumble on the way up.

Stay based at Lochgilphead Caravan Park, just 2.5 miles away, and you can tackle this in the morning before exploring the broader Argyll walking scene. The Pod Over By, a few miles further out, offers a different pace entirely if you want something more low-key. Either base works for combining this hill with walks round the Paps of Jura or heading towards Crinan.

Go in autumn when the midges aren't out in force. The weather's often clearer too.