Kintail & Morvich (National Trust for Scotland)

The visitor centre at Kintail and Morvich sits at the foot of Five Sisters of Kintail, those dramatic peaks that dominate the view as you drive along Glen Shiel towards Kyle. It's a small operation run by the National Trust for Scotland, and what you're really paying for is access to the landscape rather than grand museum exhibits.

Inside you'll find displays about the area's geology, wildlife and the people who've lived in these glens for centuries. There's information about the hiking routes that fan out from here - some gentle, some brutal. The staff know the mountains intimately and can point you towards walks that suit your fitness level and the weather. Most visitors spend an hour looking around before heading straight out into the hills.

Families with young kids might find it a bit sparse, but anyone planning to walk in the Five Sisters or explore Glen Affric will get proper value from the route maps and local knowledge on offer. Serious hikers should allow two to three hours if you're combining a visit with a moderate walk. The centre itself won't take long.

It works brilliantly as a stop between Glenshiel Campsite and longer explorations of the southern Highlands. The setting is the real draw - you're surrounded by some of Scotland's finest mountain scenery, with the Kintail ridge looming over everything. A cracking spot to pick up walking permits and sort your plans before tackling the high ground.