Meall Fuaraidh

The walk up Meall Fuaraidh is straightforward enough, which is precisely why it works so well as a half-day expedition from Gairloch. You're looking at a modest Highland peak - nothing that demands technical skill or scrambling experience - but the views across Loch Gairloch and out towards the Summer Isles properly reward the effort.

The ascent takes roughly two hours from the car park, and the path is generally well-trodden without being overdone. What makes it rather good is the variety: moorland gives way to rougher ground, and there's enough elevation gain to feel like you've actually done something without leaving you knackered. The summit itself sits at just over 400 metres, so it's manageable for families with older kids and anyone with basic hill fitness.

Walkers and photography types will get the most from this one. The light changes dramatically across the loch as the day moves on, so late afternoon visits tend to be worth timing for. Weather moves in quickly in the Highlands, so check conditions before you go - low cloud will absolutely rob you of what makes this walk worthwhile.

Gairloch itself is a proper wee working village with decent facilities and the Sands Caravan & Camping site sits just down the road, making this a natural fit for a longer Highland stay. If you're combining it with other local walks, you've got good company. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's exactly the sort of unshowy, useful hill that makes a park holiday tick over nicely.