Sidhean Buidhe

The walk up Sidhean Buidhe catches most people off guard - it looks modest enough from Tarbert, but the climb is genuinely steep and the views at the top make you work for every breath. This isn't a Sunday stroll; you're looking at proper hiking boots and at least two hours if you want to do it properly and not arrive gasping like a landed fish.

From the summit you get sweeping views across Loch Fyne and down towards Kintyre, which on a clear day is absolutely worth the effort. The Argyll landscape opens up below you - all purple hills and silver water, the kind of thing that makes you forget why you were complaining about your burning thighs.

It's a walker's peak rather than a casual family jaunt. The approach from Tarbert side involves navigating moorland and the final push is unrelenting, so realistic fitness matters here. There's no café at the top, no interpretation boards, just you and the mountain. Some people find that liberating; others find it a bit bleak depending on the weather.

If you're staying at Port Ban Holiday Park nearby, this makes a cracking half-day expedition. Go early, take proper water, and time it so you're heading down before the light gets dodgy. The peak itself is free - no gates, no charges, no faffing about. Just turn up and go. Weather in Argyll can turn quick though, so don't be stubborn about visibility.