Meall an Spardain

The walk up Meall an Spardain delivers one of those rare Scottish hill experiences where the effort-to-reward ratio actually works in your favour. Starting from around Gairloch, you're looking at a proper hill walk rather than a stroll, but nothing that'll defeat you if you've got decent legs and a bit of determination.

What makes it worth the graft is the view from the top. You get sweeping vistas across the Highlands - the kind that make you understand why people bang on about Scottish landscape. On a clear day, you can see for miles. On a cloudy day, well, at least you've earned yourself a decent workout and some peace and quiet away from the crowds.

This is squarely a walker's mountain. It's not a tourist tick-box, and that's precisely why it's good. You won't find gift shops or interpretive panels up there. What you get is space, air, and the satisfaction of having walked to the top of something. Allow a full morning or early afternoon for the round trip, depending on your fitness level and how many times you stop to catch your breath.

If you're based at Sands Caravan & Camping just down the way, this makes a cracking day out. Pair it with the lower-level exploring around Gairloch itself - the village has enough charm to justify hanging around afterwards. The hill demands proper footwear and respect for Highland weather, but get the conditions right and you'll remember this one.