Cruach nam Miseag

The walk up Cruach nam Miseag from Cairndow is straightforward and rewarding - a proper hill rather than a scramble, which means most reasonably fit walkers can manage it in a couple of hours. You're looking at around 850 metres of height gain, nothing to underestimate, but the path is clear enough and the views across Loch Fyne and into the Cowal peninsula make every step count.

The summit itself is a modest cairn with decent 360-degree visibility on a clear day. This is the kind of hill that rewards timing - catch it in good light and you'll see why locals bother with it; visit in cloud and you'll wonder what you're doing up there. On a quiet morning, you'll likely have the top to yourself, which can't be said for many Argyll peaks.

It's a walker's walk rather than a casual stroll, so families with young children might find it a slog, though teenagers with some hill experience would get on fine. The real value is the solitude and the chance to work for a genuine hill day without needing crampons or technical skills.

If you're staying at Drimsynie Holiday Village just down the road, this makes an excellent morning out before lunch. It ties in well with broader Argyll exploring - you're only a few miles from Cairndow itself, and the wider area offers plenty of forest walks and Loch Fyne scenery if you want something gentler afterwards.