Meall Garbh

The walk up Meall Garbh from Appin is properly rewarding - a solid hill rather than an epic expedition, which is precisely why it works so well. You're looking at a decent climb to 840 metres, but the route's straightforward enough that families with older kids won't feel they're tackling Everest.

The summit gives you glorious views across to Ben Cruachan and down towards Loch Etive. On a clear day the sight lines stretch far enough to make the huffing worthwhile. The terrain underfoot is rough moorland for much of it - bog in places, so waterproof boots aren't optional - and the path itself isn't maintained to death. That's rather the appeal.

Allow a full morning for it. You're probably looking at three and a half hours return if you're moving steadily. It's free, naturally, and best tackled when the weather's holding. Midweek in autumn gives you decent odds of empty slopes.

If you're staying at Creagan Station Tourers just down the road - they score 4.8 out of 5 for good reason - you can knock this out before lunch and still have the afternoon free. Oban Camping and Caravanning Club Site is also within striking distance if you're basing yourself in the area for several days of hill work.

This isn't the polished experience of better-trodden peaks. It's a proper Scottish hill walk without the crowds.