Druim an Eilein

The walk up Druim an Eilein isn't long, but it's relentless. This peak sits just above Gairloch in the far northwest, and climbing it rewards you with views that stretch right across to the Summer Isles and out toward the Atlantic. On a clear day - and you'll need to time it right - you can see for miles. Hazy and dreich? Still worth it for the sense of being on top of things.

The path itself is straightforward enough, no scrambling required, though it's steep in places and the moorland gets boggy when it's wet. Allow an hour to go up, maybe forty minutes back if you're fit. It's the sort of walk that works brilliantly for fell-walkers wanting something quick and satisfying without spending half the day on it. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find it a slog.

There's no cafe or facilities at the top, so bring water and something to eat. Free to access, naturally. If you're based at Sands Caravan & Camping, just down the road from Gairloch, this makes a proper morning outing before lunch. The drive there takes minutes. Go early if you want to avoid the midges in summer - they can be savage on these Highland peaks once the sun gets warm.

It's not a destination on its own, but it's exactly the kind of local hike that makes a week in the northwest memorable. The views justify the effort.