Am Buachaille

The walk up Am Buachaille from Newtonmore is short but surprisingly punchy. You're looking at a Munro Top rather than a full Munro, so don't expect a day-long slog - the summit sits at 901 metres and the whole thing takes a couple of hours from the car park if you're moving at a decent pace.

It's the views that make this one worth the effort. On a clear day you get proper sight lines across the Monadhliath Mountains, and the Cairngorms rise up impressively to the north. The path itself is well-marked and the ascent steep but manageable for anyone with a basic level of fitness.

Historically this peak is tied up with Highland droving routes - cattle herds used these passes for centuries - so you're walking old pathways. That said, Am Buachaille doesn't have the crowds you'd get on Ben Nevis, which is part of its charm.

It works best for fell walkers and families with older kids who fancy something more than a gentle stroll but don't want a full alpine commitment. Don't bother if the weather's closed in - the exposed summit becomes grim fast, and the views are everything here. Spring through autumn is your window; winter requires proper kit.

If you're based at Invernahavon Caravan Park just down the road, this makes a cracking afternoon hike. Newtonmore itself is a proper walking hub, so combining Am Buachaille with other local peaks makes sense.