Meall Ailein

The walk up Meall Ailein isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel like you've earned the summit. At 2,444 feet, it's the sort of hill that doesn't sound like much until you're halfway up and your legs are reminding you otherwise. The real appeal is what you get at the top - views across the Sound of Mull and down towards Oban that justify the huffing and puffing. Clear days reward you properly; misty ones, less so.

This is walker territory, plain and simple. You won't need scrambling skills, but good boots matter. The ascent takes roughly 90 minutes from the car park, depending on fitness. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip, which is sensible if you want to actually pause and enjoy the outlook rather than just tick it off. Families with reasonably confident young walkers will manage fine, though very small legs might struggle with the gradient.

Geographically, it slots nicely into a hillwalking break based around Oban. The town sits just a few miles away, which means you could start the morning here and still have time for other routes or a visit down to the coast. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Oban Holiday Park is particularly well-placed - you can be on the hill within minutes. Argyll Kayaker Cove works well if you want to combine walking with water activity.

Go early if possible. The path can get boggy, and afternoon mist rolls in fast around these parts. Free to access, naturally - it's a Scottish hill.