Meall Donn

The walk up Meall Donn isn't particularly famous, which is precisely why it's so good. This modest peak sits near Tarbert in Argyll, and from the summit you get proper views across Loch Fyne and towards the broader Cowal landscape. Nothing dramatic - no thousand-foot drops or Alpine-style exposure - but genuinely rewarding for the effort.

The climb itself takes most people around an hour and a half from the road. It's steep enough to get the blood moving without being a proper slog. The path is decent enough, though you won't find waymarks holding your hand all the way. Walkers after something less crowded than Ben Lomond or the Arrochar peaks will find this genuinely pleasant. Families with reasonably fit kids shouldn't struggle, but toddlers won't get much from it - there's not much lower down to occupy them.

Go in clear weather if you can. The views on a dull day are serviceable but forgettable. Come in late afternoon and the light across the water is rather lovely. You'll probably have the summit to yourself, which makes a change.

If you're staying at Tarbert Holiday Park or The Gather just down the road, Meall Donn works as a proper morning excursion without eating the whole day. Combine it with a wander round Tarbert itself - the little town's got character and decent enough facilities. It's the kind of walk that reminds you why people come to Argyll in the first place: accessible hills, genuine quiet, and views that don't rely on being impossibly dramatic to be worth your time.