Cruach Tarsuinn

The walk up Cruach Tarsuinn isn't long, but it's properly steep - the sort of climb that has you breathing hard within twenty minutes. From Tarbert, it's a straightforward drive inland before you abandon the car and head uphill through rough moorland. The summit itself sits at just over 400 metres, but what makes the effort worthwhile is the view across Loch Fyne to the Cowal hills beyond. On a clear day, you can trace the loch for miles. The peak draws a mixed crowd - serious hikers treating it as a warm-up before tackling bigger Argyll hills, and families wanting a proper hill experience without committing to a full day's graft. Allow an hour and a half round trip, maybe two if you're dawdling at the top. It's a bit exposed, so wind can be a factor, and the ground gets boggy after rain. Free to visit, obviously. The real appeal here is accessibility - you get genuine Highland views and a real summit without needing rock-climbing skills or a full day's endurance. If you're based at Tarbert Holiday Park or The Gather a few miles away, this works as a morning mission before heading back for lunch. The walk itself is uncomplicated enough for teenagers but too steep for young kids to manage without complaint.