Strone Dearg

The walk up Strone Dearg takes you from near Dunoon straight into proper Highland scenery without needing a full day's expedition. It's a peaked hill rather than a mountain, but that's exactly why it works so well if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks and fancy a decent walk that won't exhaust the crew.

The summit gives you views across the Firth of Clyde towards the Cowal Peninsula - clear days are spectacular, though Scottish weather being what it is, you'll need to time it right. The path is straightforward enough, nothing technical, so families with older kids can manage it without drama. Allow two to three hours there and back depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

It's the kind of walk that rewards you without demanding everything. Not a slog, but not a stroll either. You'll want decent boots though - the ground gets boggy in places and it's steeper than the initial approach suggests.

If you're staying at Beach House Pods or Hunters Quay Holiday Village, this is the obvious hill to tick off. The Secret Glen Campsite sits even closer, making it a straightforward morning mission before breakfast. It lacks the drama of the higher peaks you'd find further north, but that's rather the point - you get proper mountain air and decent views without needing a survival kit and an early start.