The Doon

The Doon sits on the Isle of Arran like a modest pyramid, nothing flashy but genuinely rewarding once you've put in the legwork. At 1,001 metres, it's not the highest peak on the island, but the walk up is proper straightforward compared to Goat Fell, making it ideal if you've got half a day and don't fancy scrambling over loose rock for hours.

The path from Lochranza village is well-trodden and mercifully dry underfoot most of the time. Takes about two hours up, the same back down. Views from the top are solid - you're looking out over the Kilbranan Sound towards Kintyre and, on clear days, you can see right across to the Mull of Galloway. It's the kind of spot where the effort-to-reward ratio actually stacks up.

Walkers and hill enthusiasts will get the most from this. Families with reasonably fit kids won't struggle, though younger ones might need coaxing on the final push. It's free, obviously - it's a Scottish hill - and you need no special equipment beyond decent boots and waterproofs that actually work.

If you're staying at Kings Caves Glamping nearby, The Doon makes a logical morning outing before heading back for lunch. It's straightforward enough that you won't need to spend the whole day, which leaves time for exploring Lochranza castle or the distillery if the weather turns properly grim. Worth doing.