Meall an Fhithich

The walk up Meall an Fhithich from Taynuilt isn't long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel like you've earned the summit views. The hill sits just 712 metres high - nothing dramatic in Scottish terms - yet the landscape opens right up once you're on top. On a clear day, you're looking out across Loch Awe and the Argyll hills beyond, which is genuinely worth the effort.

The ascent takes roughly two hours there and back from the car park, depending on fitness. It's a proper hill walk rather than a casual stroll, with a relentless incline that doesn't let up much, so decent boots make a difference. The terrain is boggy in places and the path can be thin, but it's perfectly doable for anyone with reasonable experience. You won't see many people up here, which is half the appeal - crowds flock to Ben Cruachan nearby, but this one stays quiet.

Mountain lovers and landscape photographers will get the most from it. Families with young kids might find the gradient tedious rather than fun, though determined school-age hikers could manage it. The views repay the climb: on those rare Scottish days when visibility stretches for miles, it's absolutely brilliant.

If you're staying at Loch Awe Holiday Park - just 2.5 miles away - this is a proper half-day outing that feels less crowded than the tourist routes. Start early, take a packed lunch, and you'll have the hill largely to yourself. Free to climb, naturally, and no gates or facilities at the base.