Cnoc an Sgaid

The walk up Cnoc an Sgaid rewards you with views across Loch Gairloch that justify the modest climb. It's not a gruelling slog - more of a bracing afternoon outing from Gairloch village that takes around two hours return. The peak sits at just over 200 metres, so you're not battling altitude here, just a steady ascent through moorland that feels properly Highland.

What makes it worth your time is the sense of space. From the top you're gazing across the loch towards the mountains beyond, and on a clear day the visibility stretches far enough to make you forget how low you actually are. On a drizzly afternoon - which, let's be honest, is likely - it feels a bit more atmospheric than dramatic, but that's part of the appeal.

Families with children used to hillwalking will manage this fine. Older kids might find it a touch dull if the weather's poor, but the views from Gairloch below are compensation enough. You'll need proper boots if the ground's wet, which it often is. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of - it's just a walk.

If you're based at Sands Caravan & Camping nearby, you could slot this in between longer expeditions in the area. It's the sort of thing that fills a gap day well rather than being the reason you've driven to Wester Ross. Worth doing once, decent views, over by mid-afternoon.