Fashven

The walk up Fashven from Durness is a proper leg-burner, but the view across the Kyle of Tongue makes every step worthwhile. It's a straightforward hill rather than a technical climb - nothing you need ropes for, just decent boots and a willingness to graft your way up the moorland. The summit sits at just over 500 metres, which doesn't sound much until you're actually climbing it in the Highland wind.

On a clear day - and you'll need to pick your moment here, as cloud rolls in fast - you get an unobstructed panorama across to Ben Hope and the Rabbit Islands. The landscape is almost austere in its bleakness, all rough grassland and exposed rock. There's something compelling about it though. Families with older kids will find it manageable, though younger ones might struggle with the pace and the relentless bog underfoot. Pure walkers will love this; it's the sort of climb that rewards effort without demanding technical skill.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on your fitness. There's no visitors centre or facilities at the top - bring water and something to eat. The nearest base is Durness itself, a small working village rather than a tourist resort, though Sango Sands Oasis is just down the road if you're after holiday park facilities. This is remote, windswept, and genuinely worth doing if you're in the Far North. Don't expect a coffee van at the summit.