Tom a' Chruachain

The walk up Tom a' Chruachain from the A85 near Oban is steep, direct, and over in about two hours return - which means you won't waste a full day on it. At 1,126 metres, it's not massive by Scottish standards, but the views across Loch Etive and towards Ben Cruachan are genuinely excellent, particularly on a clear day when you can pick out the mountains beyond.

This one suits walkers who want proper Scottish hill air without committing to a full Munro expedition. The path is straightforward, the terrain manageable, though your legs will know about the gradient. On a busy summer weekend you'll share it with other hikers, but it's nowhere near the queues you'd find on Ben Nevis.

The real pull is the position. Standing on top looking down into Loch Etive, you feel properly in the Highlands rather than on a tourist trail. The mountain sits just south of Oban, so you can knock this out as a morning or afternoon jaunt before heading back to base.

If you're camping at Oban Holiday Park or trying the water-based stuff at Argyll Kayaker Cove, Tom a' Chruachain makes a natural addition to your week. It's the kind of hill that doesn't announce itself much - you won't see the postcards or the Instagram saturation - but that's exactly why it works. Go on a weekday if you can, take the good weather when it comes, and don't expect anything beyond a straightforward hill walk with a decent finish.