Meall na h-Eilrig

The walk up Meall na h-Eilrig rewards you with proper Highland views across Loch Ness and the glens beyond - if you're willing to put in the graft. This isn't a stroll. It's a solid hill walk from Drumnadrochit side, and you'll feel your legs working, but the summit plateau opens up views that make it entirely worthwhile.

What you're doing is climbing roughly 2,000 feet of Scottish moorland and rough scrub. The path isn't always obvious, which is part of the appeal if you like navigating by map and compass. Allow three to four hours there and back, depending on your fitness. Most people do this as a day walk rather than an overnight trip.

Historywalkers and fell runners both get something from it. The peak itself doesn't have the drama of Ben Wyvis or the Cairngorms, but that's precisely why you'll have the hilltop mostly to yourself. Summer's your best bet weather-wise, though even then the Scottish midges can be relentless if you stop moving. Waterproofs are essential year-round.

If you're based at Loch Ness Glamping or Highland Premier Glamping Pods - both excellent spots within five miles - this makes a natural day out before returning to your pod. It slots neatly into a longer Highland break without being the main event. Worth doing if you're already in the area, though it's not the kind of peak that drives a visit on its own.