Carn an Ruighe Dhuibh

The walk up Carn an Ruighe Dhuibh takes about two hours if you're moving at a steady pace, and you'll earn proper views across the Great Glen from the summit. It's a modest hill by Highland standards - 664 metres - but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a dawdle. The terrain gets steep in places and can be boggy lower down, especially after rain.

What makes it worthwhile is the isolation. You won't find crowds here like you do on Ben Nevis or the busier Nevis Range peaks. The path from Fort Augustus side is straightforward enough to follow, though it's not waymarked throughout. Once you're up there, Loch Ness spreads out below, and on a clear day the views stretch across to the Monadhliath Mountains.

This is a walk for people who actually enjoy hiking rather than just ticking boxes. Families with young kids will find it tough going - there's nothing technical, but the ascent is relentless. It works best as part of a longer exploration of the area around Fort Augustus. If you're based at Loch Ness Holiday Park or Inver Coille Camping, this fills a good half-day without requiring a massive drive.

Go early if you can. Morning light catches the loch properly, and you'll have the hill more or less to yourself. Allow three hours door-to-door if you're staying nearby. Free, obviously - it's a Scottish hill.