Carn Loch a' Bhothain

The walk up Carn Loch a' Bhothain rewards you with views across the Great Glen that'll make the effort feel properly worthwhile. It's not one of the Highlands' celebrity peaks, which is precisely why you'll likely have the summit to yourself on a clear day.

From Fort Augustus, you're looking at a straightforward hill walk - nothing technical, just steady legwork through moorland and rough grass. The climb takes most walkers a couple of hours up, similar coming down. What strikes you is how the perspective changes as you gain height: Loch Ness sprawls out below, the surrounding mountains start to make sense geographically, and on good weather days the visibility is exceptional.

It's ideal for reasonably fit walkers who want a decent hill day without the crowds you'd get on Ben Nevis or the Cairngorms. Families with teenagers will manage it fine; younger kids might find the duration and lack of defined path a bit tedious. The ground can be boggy after rain, so waterproof boots aren't optional.

Time-wise, set aside a full afternoon or make it a morning outing if you're staying nearby. Both Loch Ness Holiday Park and Inver Coille work well as bases - you're minutes from the trailhead, which beats driving up from the coast.

Free to access, naturally. No facilities on the mountain itself. Go on a clear day or don't bother - the cloud here is proper thick when it rolls in.