Meall a' Chràthaich

The walk up Meall a' Chràthaich isn't a famous peak, and that's precisely why it's worth doing. Rising to 755 metres above the glens near Beauly, this hill offers proper Highland views without the tourist crowds you'd find on Ben Nevis or the Five Sisters. The route takes you through moorland and scattered pine, gradually climbing until the summit opens up across Strathglass towards the distant mountains. On a clear day you can pick out Loch Ness to the east and the bulk of the Cairngorms beyond. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip - it's not technically difficult, but the terrain underfoot can be boggy and the final push is genuinely steep for what looks like a modest hill on the map. Bring proper boots and waterproofs. There's no admission fee and no formal facilities, so you're entirely self-reliant. Walkers with reasonable fitness will enjoy this more than casual strollers. Families with older kids who don't mind a grind will get something out of it, but younger ones might find it dull. The real pull is the solitude and the sense you've earned your view. If you're staying at Loch Ness Holiday Park or Cannich Woodland Camping just down the road, this makes a cracking half-day outing. Go early in the day to avoid afternoon mist rolling in from the coast.