Tom nan Gamhna

Tom nan Gamhna sits at 804 metres, which is a proper slog from the Cairndow side of Argyll. The climb rewards you with views across Loch Fyne - on a clear day you can see for miles, right down the loch towards Inveraray. It's not a technical climb, just relentless uphill walking that takes most people between two and three hours return.

Walkers will get far more from this than casual visitors. Families with young kids might find it a bit much unless they're properly hiking-trained. The path itself is well-trodden, which is both good and bad - popular enough to be clear, but busy enough that you won't feel you've discovered anything secret. That said, being up here alone on a winter morning is genuinely special.

Timing matters. Go early to beat crowds, and check the weather - low cloud makes the summit pointless. Allow a full afternoon if you're based at Drimsynie Holiday Village just down the road, or combine it with Forest Holidays Ardgartan if you're tackling Argyll's hiking circuit. The actual climb is free, obviously, and there are no facilities on the mountain itself.

This works best as part of a longer walking holiday rather than a standalone attraction. If you're already exploring the area around Cairndow, it's a decent day out. If you're only passing through, you might do better spending time on Loch Fyne itself.