Beinn Bhàn

The walk up Beinn Bhàn rewards you with proper Highland views - moorland rolling away in all directions, and on a clear day, you can see right across to Ben Nevis looming in the distance. It's a straightforward enough climb from Fort William's direction, nothing too technical, which makes it popular with walkers who want the mountain experience without the full commitment of the bigger peaks nearby.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the summit. The path itself is well-trodden but can be boggy in places, so decent boots matter. Solo hikers love this one - you get solitude without feeling genuinely remote, and families with older kids (say, ages ten and up) will manage it without too much complaint, though the younger ones might find the slog back down tedious.

It's free, obviously - just park and walk. The thing about Beinn Bhàn is it sits nicely between the really serious mountains and the gentle woodland strolls. If you're staying at Ben Nevis Holiday Park or Shieldaig Camping & Cabins, this makes a cracking half-day outing that doesn't swallow your entire schedule. Weather can turn quickly in the Highlands, so check the forecast before you set off. Spring and early autumn are your best bets - summer midges are no joke up here.