Meall a' Bhainne

The walk up Meall a' Bhainne from Gairloch side is straightforward enough - no technical climbing, just a proper slog uphill through moorland that shifts from boggy to rockier as you gain height. The summit sits at 612 metres, which doesn't sound much until you're actually doing it on a Scottish hill where the weather can turn in minutes.

What makes it worth the effort is the view back down to Gairloch and across Loch Gairloch itself. On a clear day - and you'll need one - you get decent views west towards the coast. The surrounding peaks give good perspective on how the landscape fits together up here. It's not a dramatic mountain in the Alpine sense, but it's proper Highland terrain.

This is walkers' territory. Families with older kids who don't mind a couple of hours on rough ground will enjoy it, but toddlers won't get much from the leg work involved. History types will find little to interest them - there's no ruins or stories attached, just the hill itself.

Allow three to four hours for the round trip depending on fitness. There's no charge and no facilities at the summit, so come prepared with water and something to eat. The real advantage of tackling this while staying at Sands Caravan & Camping nearby is that you're already positioned perfectly for exploring the wider Gairloch area without a long drive. Best tackled in decent weather - cloud-covered summits are monotonous on a hillside.