Sheirdrim Hill

You won't find crowds at Sheirdrim Hill, and that's precisely why it's worth the effort from Tarbert. This modest peak rises above the Kintyre Peninsula with views that punch well above its modest height - on a clear day you're looking across to Jura and the Paps, proper dramatic stuff.

The walk itself is straightforward rather than strenuous, making it ideal for families who fancy something more adventurous than a stroll but won't tolerate a full Highland slog. Allow a couple of hours return from the car, including a decent pause at the top to get your breath back and actually enjoy what you've climbed for.

Timing matters here. Go early morning if you can, especially in summer, because the light strips across those distant islands around breakfast time and the midges are still sleeping. Afternoon can get hazy, and you'll lose the definition in the view. Winter's a different beast altogether - clear and crisp, but wind can be sharp.

It slots neatly into a Kintyre peninsula loop if you're based at Tarbert Holiday Park. You've got decent facilities there, and this hill makes a solid half-day venture before heading to lunch in Tarbert itself. Not a mountain to build a whole holiday around, but genuinely satisfying if you're in the area and want to actually walk somewhere rather than just drive through.