Cuckys Cairn

The walk up Cuckys Cairn rewards you with a proper panorama across Glencoe - you're standing at roughly 2,400 feet with the whole glen sprawling below. It's not technically demanding, which means families with older kids can manage it without too much fuss, though the final push gets steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs.

The cairn itself is modest - a stack of stones marking the summit - but that's rather the point. You're here for the views, not Instagram monuments. On a clear day you can pick out the peaks of Bidean nam Bian and the distinctive ridge lines that make Glencoe so distinctive. Weather matters enormously. I went twice: once in drizzle when it was frankly dreary, and once in autumn sunshine when it was absolutely brilliant.

From Ballachulish, you're well positioned for this as part of a broader Highland walking holiday. The nearby caravan parks - Invercoe is particularly good, rated 4.2 stars - make sensible bases for a few days exploring the glen. Red Squirrel Campsite Scotland is marginally closer and rates even higher at 4.8 if you want something a touch more relaxed.

Allow two to three hours return, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. It's free access, no visitor centre nonsense. Worth doing if you're already in the area; worth a special trip if you're keen on Scottish hill walks and want something less crowded than Ben Nevis. Go midweek if possible - weekends bring the crowds.