Carn Dearg

The walk up Carn Dearg from Strathcarron is steep, honest, but absolutely worth the effort. You're looking at a proper mountain - nothing fancy, just solid Highland scenery that unfolds as you climb. The path can be boggy lower down, so decent boots aren't optional here.

Once you reach the summit, the views open up across the Applecross Peninsula and out towards the Isle of Skye. On a clear day - and you'll need patience to catch one - you can see for miles. The cairn itself isn't much to look at, but that's not really the point.

This is a walker's peak, full stop. Not ideal for families with young kids unless they're the hiking type, and the round trip from the road takes a good three to four hours depending on fitness. The terrain is rough moorland with little shelter, so weather matters. Come in proper boots, bring a map, and go in summer when the daylight stretches longer.

If you're staying at Shieldaig Camping & Cabins - just down the road - Carn Dearg makes a solid day out without driving halfway across Scotland. It's the kind of walk that doesn't need a visitor centre or a café at the top. You climb it for the walk itself and the view when conditions allow. Straightforward, unglamorous, and genuinely rewarding.