Tòrr a' Chreamha

The walk up Tòrr a' Chreamha feels steeper than the height suggests, which is saying something when you're climbing 443 metres on an island where the wind has a habit of testing your resolve. This is Islay's highest point, and from the summit you get proper views across the Hebrides - on a clear day you can see Jura and Colonsay stretching out like they've been laid out just for you.

It's not a technical climb, but it's genuinely windswept and exposed. You need decent boots and weather that cooperates, which means checking the forecast isn't optional. The path isn't always obvious, so an OS map or a GPS app becomes essential rather than optional. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on fitness and how long you're inclined to linger at the top.

Walkers will get the most from this one - the view is the thing, and standing up there with Islay spreading out below you in all its bleak, beautiful glory is exactly what you've come for. If you're staying at Islay Glamping Pods just down the road, this is worth the detour before breakfast or late afternoon when the light softens everything. Skip it if you're expecting a gentle stroll or if the cloud is sitting on the island like a damp blanket.

The nearest town, Islay's main settlement, has the practical stuff you'll need - supplies, a decent pub - but Tòrr a' Chreamha itself is very much a walker's thing. No facilities, no toilet, no café. Just you, the wind, and proper views.