Tom na h-Airidh

Tom na h-Airidh sits above Helensburgh like a proper hill scramble that rewards you without demanding a full day's commitment. It's not a mountain - more a steep-sided peak that pulls itself up from the Argyll landscape with enough drama to feel like an actual climb. The summit sits around 700 metres, which means the views south across the Clyde estuary and west into the Highlands actually justify the huffing on the way up.

Walkers will find this one straightforward enough. There's a decent path from the lower slopes, though it gets properly steep in sections - not technical, just knackering if you're not used to climbing. Allow a couple of hours up and down from the car park. The rocky top is small but the exposure feels real, and on a clear day the panorama spreads across the water towards Dunoon and beyond. On a grey Scottish day - which is often - it's atmospheric in that moody way the west coast does so well.

This works brilliantly as part of a longer Cowal Peninsula walk, especially if you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby. Hunters Quay and Glenfinart are both within striking distance and proper bases for exploring the area. The Secret Glen Campsite up at 6 miles is another solid option if you want something quieter. Families with older kids will enjoy the challenge without it becoming a full expedition. Younger ones might find the steep sections dull, honestly - it's not a gentle ramble.

Free to access, no facilities at the top. Go when the weather's settled - the views are why you're here.