Creag Mhaol

The walk up Creag Mhaol takes you to one of those Scottish summits that feels properly wild without being brutally technical. It's not a Munro - the peak sits at just over 600 metres - but the views from the top sweep across the Sound of Sleat to Skye and down towards Kyle of Lochalsh with a clarity that makes the effort worthwhile.

You'll be tackling moorland terrain that can be boggy lower down, especially after rain, so decent boots are non-negotiable. The ascent isn't steep enough to be exhausting but it's relentless enough to keep you honest for the best part of an hour. Once you crest the ridge, the landscape opens up dramatically - proper Highland theatre.

Walkers will get the most from this. Families with children aged ten and up might manage it on a good weather day, though the exposed terrain means conditions matter. It's the sort of walk where you'll want to check the forecast before committing.

There's no charge, no facilities at the base, no gates to unlock. Just park sensibly near the start and go. Allow two to three hours return depending on fitness and how long you spend standing around taking photographs, which you will.

If you're staying at Reraig Caravan & Camping on Skye, this makes a solid morning's work before heading back to base. It's the kind of hill that reminds you why people spend money to come to the Highlands in the first place - genuine, unfiltered, and with zero pretence.