Meall Ailein

The walk up Meall Ailein from Kyle of Lochalsh is straightforward and rewarding in ways that don't require technical kit or scrambling skills. You're looking at roughly 900 metres of ascent across open moorland, and on a clear day the views stretch across to Skye and down Loch Alsh - proper compensation for the legwork.

It's a solid hill walk rather than a scramble, which makes it accessible for reasonably fit walkers without mountaineering experience. The terrain is moorland and grass, so you need decent boots and waterproofs - the weather can turn on you quickly even when it looks settled. Allow four to five hours for a round trip from Kyle of Lochalsh, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

Walkers will appreciate this one more than families with young children. There's no café or facilities, so you're carrying everything with you. Peak bagging types love it because it's a proper summit with genuine views, not just a tourist attraction masquerading as a mountain.

The nearest town is Kyle of Lochalsh itself, a small working fishing village that's genuinely worth a wander - better than trying to cram it all into a single afternoon. If you're based at Reraig Caravan & Camping Skye, just across the water, Meall Ailein makes a perfect day out. Go early in the day if possible; afternoon mist can roll in and spoil what should be stunning views.