Kyle of Lochalsh Viewpoint & Picnic Place

The view across to Skye from Kyle of Lochalsh stops you dead. On a clear day - and you'll need patience for one of those - you're looking straight at the Cuillin Ridge, all jagged and moody, rising up across the water like someone's drawn it in charcoal. The viewpoint itself is straightforward: a pull-in spot with a handful of benches and a bit of grass where you can spread a blanket and actually sit with your lunch while that view does the work.

It's not complicated, and that's precisely the point. Families with young children will find it manageable - no long walks, just park and look - though restless types might get fidgety after twenty minutes. Walkers tend to use it as a stopping point rather than a destination, which is fair enough. History enthusiasts should know this crossing into Skye matters; the old ferry route ran from here before the bridge went in.

Go in the morning if you can, when light's better and you've got a fighting chance of seeing the mountains without cloud cover. The weather here is properly Scottish - meaning it changes its mind constantly. Allow an hour at most unless you're genuinely settled in for a picnic spread.

If you're staying at Reraig Caravan & Camping on Skye, you're practically next door - it's only 3.8 miles south - which makes this an obvious first stop after crossing the bridge. Grab a flask, pack sandwiches, and arrive early. The view earns its reputation.