Meall a'Phubuill

You'll spot Meall a'Phubuill from half a dozen angles around Fort William - it's that modest pyramid poking up from the Glen Nevis massif, nothing flashy but there nonetheless. At 3,601 feet, it's a proper hill rather than a mountain, which makes it ideal if you want a decent Highland walk without committing to Ben Nevis itself.

The approach is straightforward enough from the Glen Nevis visitor centre - you'll head up through the glen and peel off towards the summit. It takes a couple of hours up, maybe ninety minutes down if you're moving well. The views from the top sweep across to Ben Nevis on one side and down Glen Nevis on the other, though I'll be honest, it's not the most dramatic vista in the Highlands. Where it shines is for walkers who want to tick something off without the crowds you get on the main Ben.

The ground gets boggy in patches, particularly lower down, so come prepared. Weather can shift fast up here - what looks clear from the car park can turn murky pretty quickly. Summer months are best, obviously, though spring and autumn work fine if you're flexible on the weather.

If you're staying at Linnhe Lochside Holidays just outside Fort William, this makes a cracking half-day expedition. Families with teenagers will manage it comfortably; younger kids might find it a slog. Serious fell runners knock it out in forty minutes. Allow three to four hours all in if you're taking your time.