Meall a' Chaorainn

The walk up Meall a' Chaorainn isn't going to set your heart racing - it's a modest 832-metre peak in the shadow of Ben Nevis, and that's rather the point. From Fort William, you're looking at a straightforward ascent that rewards you with proper views across the Glen Coe area without the crowds or the scrambling you'd face on the big one next door.

The route itself is fairly direct. Most people tackle it from the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre side, and the path is well-trodden enough that you won't get lost, though it's steep in places and the ground can be boggy after rain. Allow three to four hours for the round trip if you're a casual walker. The summit itself is a modest cairn, nothing dramatic, but the views down to Loch Lomond and across to the Mamores are genuinely good on a clear day.

This isn't a peak for bag-baggers showing off; it suits people who want a proper hill walk without committing to Ben Nevis's crowds or the technical bits. Families with older kids will manage fine. Solo walkers love it because you get solitude and a real sense of achievement without needing rope skills.

Stay at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park or Invercoe if you're based locally - both are close enough for a morning start. Spring and autumn tend to offer the clearest views, though any settled weather works. Frankly, if the cloud's down, save your legs for another day.