Carn na h-Imrich

The climb up Carn na h-Imrich starts gently enough from Drumnadrochit, but don't let that fool you - this is a proper Highland peak that demands respect and sturdy legs. You're looking at a decent walk to bag a Munro-adjacent summit with views that stretch across Glen Affric and towards the Great Glen. The final push gets steep, and the path can be boggy depending on when you visit, but the effort pays off when you reach the cairn at the top.

This one's for walkers who actually want to walk, not for families expecting a gentle amble. You'll need a good three to four hours for the round trip, depending on fitness, and the weather can turn quickly even when it looks promising from the car park. Autumn and late spring tend to be best - summer midges are absolutely relentless up here, and winter can be properly treacherous.

If you're camping at Loch Ness Glamping or Cannich Woodland just down the road, Carn na h-Imrich makes a satisfying day out that doesn't require driving halfway across the Highlands. The Loch Ness Shores site is also close enough to make it work. It's not the tallest peak around, but it's the kind of walk that reminds you why people come to the Highlands in the first place - raw, unpolished, and genuinely testing.