Carn na h-Iolaire

The walk up Carn na h-Iolaire from Fort Augustus is a proper hill rather than a mountain, which means you can do it in an afternoon without needing a dawn start or technical kit. The summit sits at 651 metres, offering views across the Great Glen that stretch towards Ben Nevis on a clear day - and frankly, on a grey day it's still worth the effort for the sense of space alone.

You'll start from the town itself, climbing steadily through mixed woodland before breaking out onto open moorland. The path is well-trodden and straightforward, taking most walkers about two hours up. The real payoff comes at the top, where you can see Loch Ness spread out below and the surrounding peaks rolling away in every direction. It's the kind of walk that feels properly wild without punishing your legs, so families with teenagers and keen walkers alike will get something from it.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip if you want to sit at the top with a flask and take in the view. There's no visitor centre or facilities - just the hill itself, which is exactly how it should be. Autumn is lovely for this walk, when the bracken turns copper and the weather's usually more settled than summer.

If you're staying at Loch Ness Holiday Park or Inver Coille Camping nearby, this makes a natural day out from your base. Park in Fort Augustus itself and you're straight onto the trail. Not a slog, not a scramble - just a good honest hill walk that rewards you properly for the effort.